MIT MRSEC IRGI: Fabrics that can see the light Michael F. Rubner DMR0213282

1
MIT MRSEC IRG-I Fabrics that can see the light
Michael F. Rubner DMR-0213282
The integration of conductors, insulators, and
semiconductors is essential for creating modern
functional electronic and optoelectronic devices,
such as transistors, photodetectors, LEDs, etc.
These are typically produced using a variety of
elaborate wafer-based processes that allow for
small features but are restricted in terms of
coverage area. In contrast, the technique of
fiber drawing from a preformed reel or tube is
simpler and yields extended lengths of highly
uniform fibers with excellent optical
transmission characteristics. So far, however,
this technique was only possible for a very
restricted class of materials. Recently, MIT
MRSEC professors Joannopoulos and Fink succeeded
in the design, fabrication and characterization
of the first optoelectronic fiber that integrates
conducting, insulating and semiconducting
materials (Bayindir et al., Nature 431, 826-829,
2004). They were able to demonstrate a tunable
photodetecting device fiber that is sensitive to
illumination across its entire length and can
also identify the precise location of an
illuminating spot. Such fibers can be woven into
a patch of fabric as shown at the bottom panel of
the figure below. Using this approach, it is
possible to create a new class of fabric based
chemical/biochemical sensors that may impact
growing homeland security needs.
Top scanning transmission microscope images of
an integrated photodetecting-device fiber
consisting of conductor (Sn), insulator (PES),
and semiconductor (As2Se3) components. Bottom a
spectrometric fabric created by weaving such
fibers.