DEVELOPMENT OF NANOSCALE OPTICAL DEVICES FOR DATA COMMUNICATION AND SENSING

Abstract

Background: The exponential growth of data-driven technologies and the proliferation of high-speed communication systems have necessitated the development of compact, high-performance optical devices. Nanoscale optical devices offer transformative potential by enabling ultrafast data transmission and ultra-sensitive detection in minimal form factors.

Objective: This study aims to design, fabricate, and evaluate novel nanoscale optical devices tailored for data communication and sensing applications, focusing on enhancing bandwidth, sensitivity, and integration compatibility.

Methods: Using a combination of nanofabrication techniques such as electron-beam lithography (EBL) and focused ion beam (FIB) milling, along with simulation tools like finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) analysis, various nanoscale structures including plasmonic waveguides, nano-ring resonators, and photonic crystal cavities were developed. Experimental characterization was performed using high-resolution spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy to assess performance.

Results: The developed devices demonstrated a marked improvement in data transmission rates exceeding 100 Gbps and exhibited high sensitivity (up to 10⁶ RIU⁻¹) in optical sensing of chemical and biological analytes. Notably, integration with silicon photonics platforms was successfully achieved without compromising optical integrity, highlighting their potential for scalable on-chip deployment.

Conclusion: This research establishes a foundational framework for the next generation of miniaturized optical devices, bridging the gap between nanophotonics and real-world applications in telecommunications, environmental monitoring, and biomedical diagnostics. Future work will explore quantum-compatible architectures and dynamic reconfiguration for adaptive sensing and communication environments.