Posted on 12/18/2020 1:59:08 PM PST by MtnClimber
The Physics World 2020 Breakthrough of the Year goes to Elham Fadaly, Alain Dijkstra and Erik Bakkers at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands, Jens Renè Suckert at Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena in Germany and an international team for creating a silicon-based material with a direct band gap that emits light at wavelengths used for optical telecommunications.
It is no exaggeration to say that finding a silicon-based material that emits useful light has been the Holy Grail of optoelectronics. Normally, silicon has an indirect electronic band gap, which means that it does not emit light. As a result, silicon must be integrated with other direct-band-gap semiconductor materials to create the optoelectronic devices that supply the pulses of light that drive information on the Internet. While this integration is possible, it is difficult and expensive.
To create a direct band gap, Bakkers and colleagues had to find a way of growing crystals of silicon-germanium alloy with a hexagonal crystal structure, rather than the usual diamond-like structure. They did this by creating nanowires of the alloy, which emitted infrared light. As well as having applications in optical telecoms and optical computing, the new silicon-based material could be used to create chemical sensors.
(Excerpt) Read more at physicsworld.com ...
It will be interesting to see if this can increase data speed over fiber optic cables.
reduces the cost of bits over fiber and thereby reduces the cost of utilizing the tons of fiber in the ground.
So there will still be some issues integrating this with pure Si or even other varieties of SiGe.
This is hopeful, but it is just the beginning.
Could this technology be used to create high intensity laser? I think it can. Wow!
Exactly what I thought these scientists looked like. Thanks.
But silicone is plaentiful in SiO2.
“reduces the cost of bits over fiber and thereby reduces the cost of utilizing the tons of fiber in the ground.”
Nope. It absorbs infrared light.
“But silicone is plaentiful in SiO2.”
So are extraneous comments ..
The ISPs will throttle no matter what.
Maybe I can have an actual laser pistol or rifle someday?
this is awesome
Tell Santa you want phased plasma rifle in the 40-watt range.
Phaser II would be great.
You’ll put your eye out!😀
ping
Should help in making oil pan gaskets a lot quicker.
OH WAIT! Not silicone!
Smells like Burnt Rubber on me.
You must be a moron. I was commenting on how plentiful silicone is in the world.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.