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Nanoantennas Created for Ultradense Data Storage and More


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As silicon-based electronics approach their theoretical limitations, many new technologies are being developed and investigated for replacing this long-lived standard. Among these are optical based systems that use photons or plasmons for transmitting, processing, and storing data. Researchers at ITMO University have recently found a way to build hybrid nanoantennas that could help optical technologies replace modern devices.

There are a number of reasons why people want to see photons replace electrons in computers, including their greater speed, ability to store more data, and the fact that they do not generate as much heat when used. Working with them, however, is difficult and require precisely created nanoantennas to localize light to specific areas. Building these nanoantennas is not easy, but the ITMO researchers have found a way to create arrays of hybrid nanoantennas, and to adjust those antennas. The antennas themselves are comprised of a truncated silicon cone with a particle of gold on top. This gold particle may start as a disk, but with a femtosecond laser, it is possible to change its shape to a sphere or a cup, altering the antenna's optical properties. This will allow the nanostructure to have its properties manipulated to fit desired roles.

These nanoantennas are roughly the same size as a bit in a modern optical disk, which can store about 10 Gb/in2. Unlike those bits though, the antennas are able to control the color of light, so if used for data storage, the capacity would be greatly increased by this added dimension.

Source: ITMO University



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