Princeton University Invention # 06-2217
Researchers
in the Department of Physics, Princeton University have developed an optical
device known as an icosahedral photonic quasicrystal. The significance of such a
device is that it makes it possible to control which bands of photons are passed
through and which are blocked. The
studies performed at Princeton confirm that
these devices may be excellent candidates for fully three-dimensional photonic
band gap materials as published in Nature (see reference
below).
The device developed at Princeton consists of a
quasicrystalline array of two materials with different dielectric constants (or,
equivalently, different indices of refraction), which are superior to
conventional photonic crystals in numerous photonic applications, including compact optical
circuits, optical filters, efficient antenna substrates, mirrors, stealth
mirrors, dielectric resonators, semi-conductors, patterned materials, photonic
sensors and incandescent lamps.
In the past, the best method for controlling and
channeling light utilized a photonic crystal which has a periodic array of
dielectric material, whereas the novel idea here is a photonic quasicrystal with
quasiperiodic arrays instead. The novelty of a quasiperiodic array is that it is
possible to have other, more spherical symmetries which facilitates the formation of
nearly equal stopgaps in all directions.
For example, the icosahedral quasicrystal has the symmetry of a soccer
ball.
This invention
enables the use of quasicrystalline structures for optical, mechanical,
electrical and magnetic purposes. In some cases the devices could also be used
for manipulating, controlling, modulation and directing waves including
electromagnetic, sound, spin, and surface waves, for a pre-selected range
of wavelengths propagating in multiple directions.
Princeton is currently seeking industrial
collaboration to commercialize this technology. Patent protection is
pending.
Publications:
Man, W., Megens, M., Steinhardt, P., Chaikin, P.M.,
Experimental measurement of the photonic properties of icosahedral
quasicrystals, Nature, Vol. 436/18 August
2005.
For more information on Princeton University invention #
06-2217 please contact:
Laurie Tzodikov
Office of Technology Licensing and Intellectual
Property
Princeton
University
4 New South Building
Princeton, NJ 08544-0036
(609) 258-7256
(609) 258-1159 fax
tzodikov@princeton.edu