Development of a Photonic Switch via Electro-Capillarity-Induced Water Penetration Across a 10-nm Gap

Eui Sang Yu, Kyomin Chae, Taehyun Kim, Jongsu Lee, Jungmok Seo, In Soo Kim, Aram J. Chung, Sin Doo Lee, Yong Sang Ryu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

With narrow and dense nanoarchitectures increasingly adopted to improve optical functionality, achieving the complete wetting of photonic devices is required when aiming at underwater molecule detection over the water-repellent optical materials. Despite continuous advances in photonic applications, real-time monitoring of nanoscale wetting transitions across nanostructures with 10-nm gaps, the distance at which photonic performance is maximized, remains a chronic hurdle when attempting to quantify the water influx and molecules therein. For this reason, the present study develops a photonic switch that transforms the wetting transition into perceivable color changes using a liquid-permeable Fabry–Perot resonator. Electro-capillary-induced Cassie-to-Wenzel transitions produce an optical memory effect in the photonic switch, as confirmed by surface-energy analysis, simulations, and an experimental demonstration. The results show that controlling the wetting behavior using the proposed photonic switch is a promising strategy for the integration of aqueous media with photonic hotspots in plasmonic nanostructures such as biochemical sensors.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2107060
JournalSmall
Volume18
Issue number14
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022 Apr 7

Keywords

  • Fabry–Perot resonators
  • nanogaps
  • refractive index sensors
  • tunable structural color
  • wetting transition

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Biomaterials
  • Chemistry(all)
  • Materials Science(all)

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