Towards Room Temperature Optoexcitonic Devices for Data Communication and Processing
Abstract
The emerging field of excitonics, made possible by the remarkable advances in technology, presents the possibility of improving on the usual data communication and processing device paradigm of using photons and electrons. This is because excitons are bound electron-hole pairs that are charge neutral and hence do not suffer from capacitive losses associated with electronic devices. They are much more effective at absorbing light and undergo seamless transition to and from a photon. They are also capable of directionally transporting energy in space as demonstrated in natural process of photosynthesis. In addition, with a Bohr radius of no more than a couple of nanometers, devices based on excitons can be significantly smaller when compared to photonic devices. The proposed work focuses on manipulating optically active excitonic states in nanostructured device to demonstrate a fast and efficient switch that would layout a platform for next generation integrated optoexcitonic devices. The shift in energy bands associated with bathochromic effect due to the presence of external strain, will be used to create an energy gradient that will allow for a controlled exciton drift towards lower energy states. Thus in this STIR program, by first converting a photon into an exciton that is two orders of magnitude smaller in size, and then manipulating the excitonic energy in space before remitting the photon, we will demonstrate a room temperature proof-of-concept device in a transition metal dichalcogenide monolayer material system to layout an optoexcitonic device platform. Till date, room temperature excitonic devices remain an untrespassed area of research, primarily due to lack of good material system. By pushing the boundaries of material synthesis, fabrication and nanophotonics, we expect to report the first demonstration of a room temperature, highly efficient, low energy consuming, on-chip integrated optoexcitonic device. Leveraging the results,we hope the work will metamorphize into a data processing and networking architecture based on photons and excitons. Through this work, the PI attempts to ensure the future growth of information systems technology by finding a suitable replacement to the current CMOS (electron) based architecture. Results from this work will layout a platform for the next generation data communication and processing technology in the form of optoexcitonic circuits that proficiently utilize light-matter interactions to achieve highly efficient data processing and communication networks. Above and beyond addressing technological challenges, this research at the frontiers of optoelectronic and quantum devices aligns with the capabilities central to achieving Army Research OfficeÕs mission in developing efficient, novel optical components for high speed switching for data communication and processing.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 09, 2020
- Source ID
- W911NF2010196
Entities
People
- Parag B. Deotare
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- University of Michigan