Increased Functionality Porous Optical Fiber Structures

A novel fiber optic structure, termed stochastic ordered hole fibers, has been developed that contains an ordered array of six hollow tubes surrounding a hollow core, combined with a nanoporous glass creating a unique fully three dimensional pore/fiber configuration. The objective of this study is to increase the functionality of these stochastic ordered hole fibers, as well as porous clad fibers, by integrating electronic device components such as conductors, and semiconductors, and optically active materials on and in the optical fiber pore structures. Conductive copper pathways were created on/in the solid core fibers using an electroless deposition technique. A chemical vapor deposition system was built in order to attempt the deposition of silicon in on the porous clad fibers. Additionally, conductive poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)- poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and photoactive polymer blend poly(3- hexylthiophene) and 1-(3-methoxycarbonyl)-propyl-1-phenyl-)6,6)C61 (P3HT: PCBM) were deposited on the fibers using dip coating techniques. Quantum dots of Cadmium Selenide (CdSe) with particle sizes of ranging from 2- 10 nm were deposited in the stochastic ordered hole fibers. SEM and EDS analysis confirm that copper, polymer materials, and quantum dots were deposited in the pore structure and on the surface of the fibers. Finally, resistance measurements indicate that the electrolessly deposited copper coatings have sufficient conductivity to be used as metallic contacts or resistive heating elements.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Materials Science and Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Materials Science and Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2007

Author dc:creator

• Wooddell, Michael Gary

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Pickrell, Gary R.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Suchicital, Carlos T. A.
• Kampe, Stephen L.

• electroless deposition
• organic photovoltaics
• nano-porous glass
• fiber optic sensors
• silicon chemical vapor deposition

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

etd-10072007-173444

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/35324