Bridging the gap: rewritable electronics using real-time light-induced dielectrophoresis on lithium niobate

Sperling, J. R. , Neale, S. L. and Clark, A. W. (2017) Bridging the gap: rewritable electronics using real-time light-induced dielectrophoresis on lithium niobate. Scientific Reports, 7, 9660. (doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-09877-9) (PMID:28851963) (PMCID:PMC5575290)

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Abstract

In the context of micro-electronics, the real-time manipulation and placement of components using optics alone promises a route towards increasingly dynamic systems, where the geometry and function of the device is not fixed at the point of fabrication. Here, we demonstrate physically reconfigurable circuitry through light-induced dielectrophoresis on lithium niobate. Using virtual electrodes, patterned by light, to trap, move, and chain individual micro-solder-beads in real-time via dielectrophoresis, we demonstrate rewritable electrical contacts which can make electrical connections between surface-bound components. The completed micro-solder-bead bridges were found to have relatively low resistances that were not solely dominated by the number of interfaces, or the number of discrete beads, in the connection. Significantly, these connections are formed without any melting/fusing of the beads, a key feature of this technique that enables reconfigurability. Requiring only a low-power (~3.5 mW) laser source to activate, and without the need for external power supply or signal generation, the all-optical simplicity of virtual-electrodes may prove significant for the future development of reconfigurable electronic systems.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Neale, Professor Steven and Clark, Professor Alasdair and Sperling, Dr Justin
Authors: Sperling, J. R., Neale, S. L., and Clark, A. W.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Biomedical Engineering
College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
Journal Name:Scientific Reports
Publisher:Nature Research
ISSN:2045-2322
ISSN (Online):2045-2322
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2017 The Authors
First Published:First published in Scientific Reports 7
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
561421Plasmon Enhanced Pyroelectric Nanoscale Trapping and SensingAlasdair ClarkRoyal Academy of Engineering (RAE)10216/103ENG - BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
748271EPSRC- Institutional Sponsorship 2016 - University of GlasgowJonathan CooperEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/P51133X/1VPO VICE PRINCIPAL RESEARCH & ENTERPRISE
652331Assembly of electronic components with Optoelectronic TweezersSteven NealeEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/L022257/1ENG - BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
704111Transformable nanophotonic surfaces: fusing synthetic biology with nano-engineering to create physically reconfigurable optical materialsAlasdair ClarkEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/N016874/1ENG - BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING