ZnO nanocone: application in fabrication of the smallest whispering gallery optical resonator

Individual concave twin ZnO microdisks with optical resonances

We synthesized concave twin ZnO microdisks, whose outer surfaces are entirely enclosed by high-energy facets. Different from hexagonal planar WGM microdisks, individual concave twin ZnO microdisks show Fabry-Pérot resonances and anisotropic photoluminescence properties at room temperature.

Finite-difference time-domain simulation of cathodoluminescence patterns of ZnO hexagonal microrods

The Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) numerical simulation method has been applied to interpret cathodoluminecence patterns observed for ZnO nanorods grown by a hydrothermal method. The 3D FDTD simulation reproduced the radial electromagnetic field pattern in the hexagonal resonator, corresponding to the CL emission maps of real ZnO microrods. The simulation result for the H z (TE) polarization—the intense field distribution along edges of the structure, in particular in the corners, but weak in the centre—matched the CL pattern particularly well. Since the experiment was not polarization sensitive, we suppose that polarisation sensitive transmission of electromagnetic field through the ZnO/air interface leads to such an observation. The results of the simulation show also that the lack of axial Fabry-Pérot-like resonances in the CL experiments is caused by leaking of the electromagnetic field from the ZnO resonator into the GaN substrate.

Super low threshold plasmonic WGM lasing from an individual ZnO hexagonal microrod on an Au substrate for plasmon lasers

We demonstrate an individual ZnO hexagonal microrod on the surface of an Au substrate which can become new sources for manufacturing miniature ZnO plasmon lasers by surface plasmon polariton coupling to whispering-gallery modes (WGMs). We also demonstrate that the rough surface of Au substrates can acquire a more satisfied enhancement of ZnO emission if the surface geometry of Au substrates is appropriate. Furthermore, we achieve high Q factor and super low threshold plasmonic WGM lasing from an individual ZnO hexagonal microrod on the surface of the Au substrate, in which Q factor can reach 5790 and threshold is 0.45 KW/cm(2) which is the lowest value reported to date for ZnO nanostructures lasing, at least 10 times smaller than that of ZnO at the nanometer. Electron transfer mechanisms are proposed to understand the physical origin of quenching and enhancement of ZnO emission on the surface of Au substrates. These investigations show that this novel coupling mode holds a great potential of ZnO hexagonal micro- and nanorods for data storage, bio-sensing, optical communications as well as all-optic integrated circuits.

3D resonator based on luminescence enhanced by both polarized, size-dependent whispering gallery modes and Fabry-Pérot waveguide modes in individual ZnO micro- and nanonails

A 3D resonator based on both polarized, size-dependent whispering gallery (WG) modes and Fabry-Pérot (FP) waveguide modes has been achieved using individual ZnO micro- and nanonails. Monochromatic cathodoluminescence images of the ZnO micro- and nanonails show that enhanced luminescence intensity is focused on two regions, i.e., the profile and the center of the micro- and nanonails. The luminescence from the center region is attributed to the emission enhanced by 1D FP waveguide modes, and that from the hexagonal profile is attributed to the emission enhanced by both polarized, size-dependent 2D WG modes when an individual ZnO nanocolumn is regarded as an optical resonator. Theoretical calculations and computer simulations based on the finite element method (FEM) with perfectly matched layer (PML) boundary conditions are performed, and the corresponding results are close to the experimental phenomena.

Diffuse reflection inside a hexagonal nanocavity

Geometrical diffuse reflection is a common optical phenomenon that occurs when a reflecting surface has roughness of order of hundreds of micrometres. Light rays thus reflect uniformly in all directions with each ray obeying Snell's law. Of interest is knowing what happens when light reflects off surfaces with roughness of nanometres. Here, by introducing nanoscaled roughness on the hexagonal faces of ZnO nanocavities, we observe luminescent profiles with flowery patterns, replacing the usual whispering gallery modes. The unique profile for these nanocavities is attributed to wave diffuse reflection, which occurs when the features on the reflecting surfaces are typically nanometre-sized. Light with wavelengths of similar scale "sees" these nano-perturbations, and undergoes scattering rather than geometrical diffuse reflection. These findings could benefit the fields of nanoscale topography and nanoscopic uniform lighting by using wave diffuse reflection.

Optical cavity modes of a single crystalline zinc oxide microsphere

A detailed study on the optical cavity modes of zinc oxide microspheres under the optical excitation is presented. The zinc oxide microspheres with diameters ranging from 1.5 to 3.0 µm are prepared using hydrothermal growth technique. The photoluminescence measurement of a single microsphere shows prominent resonances of whispering gallery modes at room temperature. The experimentally observed whispering gallery modes in the photoluminescence spectrum are compared with theoretical calculations using analytical and finite element methods in order to clarify resonance properties of these modes. The comparison between theoretical analysis and experiment suggests that the dielectric constant of the ZnO microsphere is somewhat different from that for bulk ZnO. The sharp resonances of whispering gallery modes in zinc oxide microspheres cover the entire visible window. They may be utilized in realizations of optical resonators, light emitting devices, and lasers for future chip integrations with micro/nano optoelectronic circuits, and developments of optical biosensors.

Flow-induced dynamics of carbon nanotubes

The high aspect ratio and bending resilience of a carbon nanotube (CNT) enables it to have remarkable responses to fluid flow. The structural deformation and vibration of a CNT under fluid flow are discussed in this paper, closely tied to their applications in mechanosensing and energy harvesting. We perform molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and a theoretical analysis based on the elastic beam theory, and find that the performance of these applications is critically defined by thermal noise at low flow speeds and flow-induced elastic instabilities at high speeds. We provide a map of operating mechanisms as defined by the properties of both nanostructures and fluid. The results and understanding obtained here could shed some light on the design of nanomechanical devices operating in fluidic environments.