Newly-developed fiber-optic compound semiconductor cores for more applications

The State University of Pennsylvania (State University of Pennsylvania) has announced the development of an optical fiber containing a compound semiconductor core, claiming to be the world's first.

The team led by John Badding, a professor at Penn State University, developed a fiber optic cable with a zinc-selenide core that is said to support a wider range of wavelengths and that its photon quality is better than currently used. Amorphous core fiber.

"The main advantage of this type of fiber is that it can support a wide range of wavelengths, especially long wavelength infra-red (specifically); and another equally important advantage is that people can use the material properties of their crystalline compound semiconductors." Badding said, containing compounds The semiconductor core fiber can perform the same amplification and waveguide functions as many current optical wafers, which is not achievable with conventional amorphous core fibers.

"Crystalline compound semiconductors can contain transition-metal gain media, which amorphous semiconductors cannot;" said Badding: "The fiber core can also be made smoother and smoother than competing planar compound semiconductor waveguides." Uniform and provide superior optical waveguide characteristics."

This new type of fiber can support wavelengths up to 15 micron. The range of applications covers more functions, more capable military radar/laser, and better medical or surgical lasers, or can Sensitive detection of environmental sensors such as pollutants, chemical weapons, etc.