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Thursday, 16th June 2005 (8006 views)

Researchers have found a way to combine visible light and nanotechnology successfully, previously a problem area for scientists.<br/><br/>A team from the University of Basel in Switzerland have made a dipole antenna from strips of gold 45-nanometres wide and around 190-400 nanometres long, according to new Scientist.<br/><br/>The nanoscale optical antenna works in a similar way to a radio antenna and could help transfer light to and from optical fibres.<br/><br/>In addition, they could help to build highly integrated photonic circuits and let data be stored on optical discs at much bigger densities.<br/><br/>According to the researchers, the antenna could lead to single photon light emitters that could be used in quantum computation and communications.<br/><br/>Visible light had previously caused problems before Bert Hecht and his team made their discoveries, since it has a wavelength of 400 to 700 nanometres, but nanotech structures were formerly measured in tens of nanometres.<img alt="track" src="http://directnews.dehavilland.co.uk/dn.gif?feedid=196&itemid=8760576"/>

 

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