Taiwan makes breakthrough in optical light-field control including terahertz electronics

Graduate student Chan Han-sung (right) and postdoctoral researcher Hsieh Zhi-ming prepare to demonstrate equipment used for synthesizing and measuring optical field waveforms. (Courtesy of Andy Kung)

• Publication Date：01/26/2011
• Source： Taiwan Today

Taiwanese researchers have made significant progress in creating an all-optical waveform synthesizer, which can be used to further development in nanonelectronics, nanomaterials and terahertz electronics.

“The new method allows optical light fields to be controlled in a way similar to microwaves and radio waves,” said Andy Kung, research fellow at Academia Sinica’s Institute of Atomic and Molecular Sciences, Jan. 25.

“In addition, it can help control chemical reactions through manipulating the movement of electrons in atoms and molecules.”

Kung, who doubles as director of National Tsing Hua University’s Institute of Photonics Technologies, said scientists have long been attempting to develop an optical waveform synthesizer, or optical function generator, to serve as a vital piece of testing equipment in the advancement of various technologies.

According to Kung, function generators–electronic equipment used to generate waveforms—utilize electrical circuits to produce these waveforms. “But they cannot be used for optics as electrons move more slowly than light,” he said.

Academia Sinica’s research was published Jan. 20 on the website of leading international journal Science. (SB-JSM)