Studies of Intersubband Transitions in Arrays of Bi Nanowire Samples Using Optical Transmission

Abstract

This paper reports the fabrication of large diameter pores (> 150 nm) in anodic alumina that can be used to create wire arrays with significant surface effects, but without significant quantum confinement. These wires, therefore, allow us to distinguish between optical absorption spectra features originating from quantum effects and those from surface effects. The paper presents techniques towards fabricating these bismuth wire arrays, and presents optical absorption data from two bismuth nanowire arrays in the semimetal-semiconductor transition diameter regime. The results from previous publications are summarized and future directions are outlined.