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 |
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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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