(Press-News.org) Researchers at the National University of Singapore have invented a graphene-based polarizer that can broaden the bandwidth of prevailing optical fibre-based telecommunication systems.
The graphene research team, led by Professor Kian Ping Loh at the National University of Singapore, invented an ultra-slim broadband polarizer that uses graphene, a single-atomic-layer crystallized carbon, to convert light beam into polarized light. This is the first experimental demonstration of using graphene as an ultrathin waveguide to couple and modulate light. Light modulation by means of polarization management is vital to avoid signal fading and error in coherent optical communications as well as optical gyroscopes and interferometric sensors.
In principle, the polarizing ability of graphene covers the telecommunication bands from visible to mid-infrared. This means that graphene polarizer can provide all-in-one solution for multiple-channel high-speed optical communications, the researchers said.
The researchers skilfully transferred graphene grown by chemical vapour deposition on the side-polished optical fibre to fabricate the graphene polarizer and measured light polarization at different wavelengths. Unlike polarizers made from thin metal film or semiconductor dielectric, a graphene polarizer has the unique ability to filter out transverse-magnetic-mode and supports transverse-electric-mode surface wave propagation.
The broadband graphene polarizer work was published in the journal Nature Photonics and appeared online on 29 May 2011.
Source: http://www.nature.com/nphoton/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nphoton.2011.102.html
"The results reported in this paper can have a strong impact in the development of graphene-based optical devices for photonic applications…the science behind it is excellent…" says professor Antonio Castro Neto of National University of Singapore.
The Singapore team has earlier pioneered graphene mode-locked lasers in 2009. This work was another breakthrough in bringing graphene photonics a step closer to real applications.
"In the near future, we can envision ultrathin graphene-based photonic circuits with multiple functions of light creation, routing, modulation or detection," said Dr. Qiaoliang Bao, who is the project leader of the pioneering work.
###
The other Singapore-based partners of this research included teams from Singapore's Nanyang Technological University and Institute of Materials Research and Engineering. One Belgium group from Université Libre de Bruxelles participated in the project and verified the work of the Singapore group.
Singapore researchers invent broadband graphene polarizer
Researchers at the National University of Singapore have invented a graphene-based polarizer that can broaden the bandwidth of prevailing optical fiber-based telecommunication systems
2011-06-07
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Research creates nanoparticles perfectly formed to tackle cancer
2011-06-07
Researchers from the University of Hull have discovered a way to load up nanoparticles with large numbers of light-sensitive molecules to create a more effective form of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for treating cancer.
Photodynamic therapy uses molecules which, when irradiated with light, cause irreparable damage to cells by creating toxic forms of oxygen, called reactive oxygen species. Most PDT works with individual light-sensitive molecules – but the new nanoparticles could each carry hundreds of molecules to a cancer site.
A number of different light-sensitive molecules ...
Molecular movements could lead to new way to treat cancer
2011-06-07
Work by researchers at Queen Mary, University of London could point to a new way to treat aggressive types of cancer.
The scientists have found that a molecule called Met is responsible for stimulating the growth and spread of cancer because it is relocating to the wrong part of the cell.
Experiments in the lab suggest that moving Met molecules from the inside of the cell to the cell surface could halt the growth of cancer cells and even cause tumours to shrink.
Met molecules are involved in the growth of cells in the human body but they are usually only active in ...
Methane gas from cows -- the proof is in the poo
2011-06-07
Scientists could have a revolutionary new way of measuring how much of the potent greenhouse gas methane is produced by cows and other ruminants, thanks to a surprising discovery in their poo.
Researchers from the University of Bristol and the Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research Centre in Ireland, have found a link between methane production and levels of a compound called archaeol in the faeces of several fore-gut fermenting animals including cows, sheep and deer.
The compound could potentially be developed as a biomarker to estimate the methane production from ...
Kinder, gentler video games may actually be good for players
2011-06-07
COLUMBUS, Ohio – While violent video games may lead to more aggression and anger in players, a new study shows that the opposite is also true: relaxing video games can make people happier and more kind.
"With all the evidence about the dangers of violent video games, it's good to know that game players can choose games that will provide a positive experience," said Brad Bushman, co-author of the study and professor of communication and psychology at Ohio State University.
Bushman has conducted many studies showing the bad effects of violent games, especially on teens ...
Weizmann Institute Observatory captures images of a new supernova
2011-06-07
Exploding stars are the 'factories' that produce all the heavy elements found, among other places, in our bodies. In this sense, we are all stardust. These exploding stars – supernovae – are highly energetic events that can occasionally light up the night sky. Such an explosion generally involves disruption in the balance between gravity – which pulls the star's material inward – and the thermonuclear reaction at the star's core – which heats it and pushes it outward.
Certain types of stars that go in this way have a much bigger mass (10-100 times) and are much younger ...
Bakon Vodka Signs with Southern Wine & Spirits and Expands Relationship with Republic National As Sales Approach One Million Dollars
2011-06-07
The world's first 'meat-flavored spirit', Bakon Vodka (www.bakonvodka.com), today announced a new partnership with the number one distributor in the United States, Southern Wine & Spirits. Bakon Vodka has also strategically expanded its partnerships with Republic National Distributing Company and California's BevMo! stores to increase product accessibility as a result of growing demand for the bacon vodka infusion. Currently available in 32 states, the acclaimed and award-winning spirit is expected to be available in all 50 states and break sales of one million dollars ...
Surgically shrinking the stomach when conservative weight-loss treatments fail
2011-06-07
The treatment of obesity still needs improvement. In the current issue of Deutsches Ärzteblatt International, Norbert Runkel and colleagues present a new, interdisciplinary S3 guideline entitled "Bariatric Surgery" (Dtsch Arztebl Int 2011; 108[20]: 341).
One in two persons in Germany is overweight, and every fifth one is obese. Conservative treatment is considered to have been exhausted when it fails to bring about a 10% to 20% loss of weight in one year in a patient whose initial body-mass index was between 35 and 40 kg/m2.
In this situation, bariatric surgery ...
Hard or soft: At the touch of a button
2011-06-07
This world-first has its origins in Hamburg. Jörg Weißmüller, a materials scientist at both the Technical University of Hamburg and the Helmholtz Center Geesthacht, has carried out research on this groundbreaking development, working in cooperation with colleagues from the Institute for Metal Research in Shenyang, China.
The 51-year-old researcher from the Saarland referred to his fundamental research, which opens the door to a multitude of diverse applications, as "a breakthrough in the material sciences". The new metallic high-performance material is described by Prof. ...
Survival niche for cancer cells
2011-06-07
Cancer cells do not grow equally well everywhere in the body. Often, they first create the conditions in which they can grow. Many years ago researchers discovered that solid tumors attract blood vessels to ensure their supply of nutrients by secreting specific factors. Now the immunologist Dr. Uta Höpken (Tumor and Immunogenetics Research Group at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, MDC, Berlin-Buch in the Helmholtz Association) and the hematologist Dr. Armin Rehm (Charité – Virchow-Klinikum, Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, MDC) have ...
How important are climate models for revealing the causes of environmental change?
2011-06-07
The human impact on the environment, especially through the release of greenhouse gases, is an area of controversy in public understanding of climate change, and is important for predicting future changes. Many studies into our collective impact use climate models to understand the causes of observed climate changes, both globally and in specific regions. Writing in WIREs Climate Change, Professors Gabriele Hegerl from the University of Edinburgh and Francis Zwiers from the University of Victoria assess the role of climate models in studies of observed changes and the robustness ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Increased risk of bullying in open-plan offices
Frequent scrolling affects perceptions of the work environment
Brain activity reveals how well we mentally size up others
Taiwanese and UK scientists identify FOXJ3 gene linked to drug-resistant focal epilepsy
Pregnancy complications impact women’s stress levels and cardiovascular risk long after delivery
Spring fatigue cannot be empirically proven
Do prostate cancer drugs interact with certain anticoagulants to increase bleeding and clotting risks?
Many patients want to talk about their faith. Neurologists often don't know how.
AI disclosure labels may do more harm than good
The ultra-high-energy neutrino may have begun its journey in blazars
Doubling of new prescriptions for ADHD medications among adults since start of COVID-19 pandemic
“Peculiar” ancient ancestor of the crocodile started life on four legs in adolescence before it began walking on two
AI can predict risk of serious heart disease from mammograms
New ultra-low-cost technique could slash the price of soft robotics
Increased connectivity in early Alzheimer’s is lowered by cancer drug in the lab
Study highlights stroke risk linked to recreational drugs, including among young users
Modeling brain aging and resilience over the lifespan reveals new individual factors
ESC launches guidelines for patients to empower women with cardiovascular disease to make informed pregnancy health decisions
Towards tailor-made heat expansion-free materials for precision technology
New research delves into the potential for AI to improve radiology workflows and healthcare delivery
Rice selected to lead US Space Force Strategic Technology Institute 4
A new clue to how the body detects physical force
Climate projections warn 20% of Colombia’s cocoa-growing areas could be lost by 2050, but adaptation options remain
New poll: American Heart Association most trusted public health source after personal physician
New ethanol-assisted catalyst design dramatically improves low-temperature nitrogen oxide removal
New review highlights overlooked role of soil erosion in the global nitrogen cycle
Biochar type shapes how water moves through phosphorus rich vegetable soils
Why does the body deem some foods safe and others unsafe?
Report examines cancer care access for Native patients
New book examines how COVID-19 crisis entrenched inequality for women around the world
[Press-News.org] Singapore researchers invent broadband graphene polarizerResearchers at the National University of Singapore have invented a graphene-based polarizer that can broaden the bandwidth of prevailing optical fiber-based telecommunication systems