Fabrication and characterization of β-Ga2O3 optical nanowires

Monoclinic gallium oxide (beta-Ga2O3) nanowires with lengths of tens of micrometers and diameters ranging from 100 to 250 run are synthesized using simple physical evaporation based on vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) mechanism. The as-synthesized straight beta-Ga2O3 nanowires show excellent diameter uniformity and sidewall smoothness,. making them suitable for optical wave-guiding. Light from a fiber taper is launched into the nanowire by means of evanescent Coupling. Measured propagation loss of the nanowire at 633 rim wavelength is on the order of 10dB/mm. Favorable mechanical strength of these nanowires for elastic bending is also observed. Our results suggest that beta-Ga2O3 nanowires are promising building blocks for micro- and nanophotonic circuits and devices. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.