Open AccessBright visible emission from carbon nanotubes spatially constrained on a micro-bubble
Author(s) -
Gopika K. P. Ramanandan,
A. K. Dharmadhikari,
J. A. Dharmadhikari,
Hema Ramachandran,
D. Mathur
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.17.009614
Subject(s) - carbon nanotube , materials science , optics , bubble , optical tweezers , laser , optoelectronics , visible spectrum , carbon fibers , white light , irradiation , nanotechnology , composite material , composite number , physics , parallel computing , computer science , nuclear physics
We report emission of broadband light in the spectral range 500 nm - 900 nm from single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in a liquid environment upon irradiance by a very low power (typically <5 mW), continuous-wave laser source in a tweezers setup. We show (i) formation of micro-bubbles upon irradiation of fluids containing bundles of SWNTs, (ii) optical trapping of such micro-bubbles, (iii) adhesion of SWNTs on the surface of such micro-bubbles, and (iv) bright emission of white light due to tweezer-induced localized heating of spatially-constrained SWNTs.