Plasmonic Antennas Power A Nanoscale Wireless Communications Device (VIDEO)
Caption
Surface plasmons possess unique subwavelength capabilities. Researchers trying to exploit those features have developed metallic structures, including plasmonic antennas. But a persistent problem has been the inability to achieve 'in-line' containment of the emission and collection of the electromagnetic radiation. A Boston College team has developed a device with a three-step conversion process that changes a surface plasmon to a photon on transmission and then converts that elemental electromagnetic particle back to a surface plasmon as the receiver picks it up. The device, illustrated in this video, offers an unprecedented degree of control in this approach to faster, more efficient communications to power computers and optical technologies.
Credit
Michael J. Burns, Juan M. Merlo
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