Gu Zhiyuan, Song Qinghai, Xiao Shumin
Department of Physics and Optoelectronics, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, China.
Ministry of Industry and Information Technology Key Lab of Micro-Nano Optoelectronic Information System, Shenzhen Graduate School, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, China.
Front Chem. 2021 Jan 8;8:613504. doi: 10.3389/fchem.2020.613504. eCollection 2020.
Due to their single-crystalline structures, comparatively large aspect ratios, tight optical confinement and smooth surfaces, nanowires have increasingly attracted research interests for both fundamental studies and technological applications in on-chip photonic devices. This class of nanostructures typically have cross-sections of 2~200 nm and lengths upwards of several micrometers, allowing for the bridging of the nanoscopic and macroscopic world. In particular, the lasing behaviors can be established from a nanowire resonator with positive feedback via end-facet reflection, making the nanowire a promising candidate in the next generation of optoelectronics. Consequently, versatile nanowire-based devices ranging from nanoscale coherent lasers, optical sensors, waveguides, optical switching, and photonic networks have been proposed and experimentally demonstrated in the past decade. In this article, significant progresses in the nanowire fabrication, lasers, circuits, and devices are reviewed. First, we focus on the achievements of nanowire synthesis and introduce the basics of nanowire optics. Following the cavity configurations and mode categories, then the different light sources consisting of nanowires are presented. Next, we review the recent progress and current status of functional nanowire devices. Finally, we offer our perspective of nanowires regarding their challenges and future opportunities in photonic circuits.
由于其单晶结构、相对较大的纵横比、紧密的光学限制和光滑的表面，纳米线在片上光子器件的基础研究和技术应用方面越来越吸引研究兴趣。这类纳米结构的典型横截面为2~200纳米，长度超过几微米，能够在纳米世界和宏观世界之间架起桥梁。特别是，通过端面反射产生正反馈的纳米线谐振器可以实现激光行为，这使得纳米线成为下一代光电子学中有前景的候选材料。因此，在过去十年中，已经提出并通过实验证明了从纳米级相干激光器、光学传感器、波导、光开关到光子网络等多种基于纳米线的器件。在本文中，我们将回顾纳米线制造、激光器、电路和器件方面的重大进展。首先，我们关注纳米线合成的成果并介绍纳米线光学的基础知识。接着按照腔结构和模式类别，介绍由纳米线组成的不同光源。然后，我们回顾功能性纳米线器件的最新进展和现状。最后，我们就纳米线在光子电路中的挑战和未来机遇发表我们的看法。
