Principal Investigator Harry Tuller
Photonic devices with programmable properties allow more flexibility in manipulation of light. Recently, several examples of reconfigurable photonic devices were demonstrated by controlling the local/overall index of refraction in thin films, either by thermally induced phase change in chalcogenides or by intercalation of lithium into oxides. We propose a novel approach for design of reprogrammable photonic devices based on electrochemical modification of ceria-based electro-chemo-optical devices.
Previously, it was shown that the refractive index of PrxCe1-xO2-delta (PCO) is a function of oxygen nonstoichiometry, delta that can be controlled electrochemically via closely spaced electrodes in a lateral device configuration. For modified transverse configurations, a PCO thin film on yttrium stabilized zirconia (YSZ) substrate with Transparent Conducting Oxide (TCO) top electrode allows for voltage controlled oxygen exchange. Enhanced spatial resolution can be further achieved with the aid of lithographically patterned nano-dimensioned oxide layers.