Abstract: A method for forming anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) on a substrate includes disposing an Al layer on the substrate, there being a Cu layer between the substrate and the Al layer, and a TiW alloy layer between and in contact with the Cu layer and the Al layer, anodizing the Al layer to provide an AAO layer comprising nanopores extending into the AAO layer to a barrier layer of the AAO at a base of each nanopore and converting at least some of the TiW alloy layer to TiW oxide, over-anodizing the barrier layer to remove at least a portion of the AAO of the barrier layer at the base of each nanopore, and exposing the AAO layer, the TiW oxide, and the TiW to a chemical etchant sufficient to extend the nanopores through the AAO layer to a surface of the Cu layer.

Abstract: A non-reciprocal phase shift device may include an optical waveguide (e.g., a silicon waveguide) on a substrate; and a magneto-optical cladding layer on the optical waveguide, wherein the magneto-optical cladding layer includes a plurality of segments arranged having alternating magnetization directions aligned transverse to a longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide.

Abstract: A non-reciprocal phase shift device may include an optical waveguide (e.g., a silicon waveguide) on a substrate; and a magneto-optical cladding layer on the optical waveguide, wherein the magneto-optical cladding layer includes a plurality of segments arranged having alternating magnetization directions aligned transverse to a longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide.

Abstract: A device includes a substrate and at least one electrically conducting portion supported by the substrate, the at least one electrically conducting portion including a signal line and a ground plane electrically isolated from the signal line. The electrically conducting portion includes a layer of a first electrically conducting material and a layer of a metal oxide material including anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) and one or more nanowires (NW) of a second electrically conducting material each formed within a corresponding pore extending through the AAO from a first side of the layer to a second side of the layer of the metal oxide material opposite the first side.

Abstract: A complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) device includes a metal oxide layer comprising anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) and one or more nanowires (NW) of an electrically conducting material each formed within a corresponding pore extending through the AAO from a first side of the layer to a second side of the layer opposite the first side, a first electrically conducting layer disposed on the first side of the metal oxide layer, and a second electrically conducting layer disposed on the second side of the metal oxide layer. The nanowires form a via electrically connecting first electrically conducting layer and the second electrically conducting layer.

Abstract: A method for forming anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) on a substrate includes disposing an Al layer on the substrate, there being a Cu layer between the substrate and the Al layer, and a TiW alloy layer between and in contact with the Cu layer and the Al layer, anodizing the Al layer to provide an AAO layer comprising nanopores extending into the AAO layer to a barrier layer of the AAO at a base of each nanopore and converting at least some of the TiW alloy layer to TiW oxide, over-anodizing the barrier layer to remove at least a portion of the AAO of the barrier layer at the base of each nanopore, and exposing the AAO layer, the TiW oxide, and the TiW to a chemical etchant sufficient to extend the nanopores through the AAO layer to a surface of the Cu layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a gyrotropic device (e.g., an optical isolator) includes: providing a substrate comprising a waveguide layer and forming an optical isolator active layer on the waveguide layer of the substrate. Forming the optical isolator active layer includes, for a specified composition of the optical isolator active layer, deriving at least one sputtering process parameter, performing sputtering of a plurality of targets according to the at least one sputtering process parameter to deposit the optical isolator active layer on the waveguide layer of the substrate, measuring an initial value of a bias voltage at a first target of the plurality of targets; and throughout deposition of the optical isolator active layer, maintaining the bias voltage at the initial value to within a predetermined threshold of the initial value.

Abstract: Systems and methods for evaluating one or more characteristics or parameters of a material, such as a soft material (e.g., hydrogel, human cell, UV-curable polymer, etc.). Methods include incorporating a plurality of magnetic nanowires into the material to form a test solution. The test solution is subjected to a magnetic field. A change in the magnetic nanowires in response to the magnetic field is recorded. A characteristic of the material is determined based upon the recorded change. In some embodiments, the applied magnetic field causes the magnetic nanowires to rotate from an initial orientation to a stimulated orientation, with the change in orientation being indicative of a stiffness (e.g., internal stiffness) of the material.

Abstract: Cryoprotective compositions with magnetic nanowires and cryoprotective agents are used to cryopreserve biomaterials. The biomaterials in the cryoprotective composition are rapidly and uniformly heated during warming to minimize damage due to cracking and/or devitrification. The nanowires are CoFe nanowires. The nanowires may be aligned parallel to the alternating magnetic field to increase the specific absorption rate of the nanowires. The methods include warming the cryopreserved biomaterial in the cryopreserved composition at a rate higher than the critical warming rate using an alternating magnetic field.

Abstract: A Faraday rotator includes: a first reflector comprising a silicon substrate; a magneto-optic layer on the first reflector, the magneto-optic layer having a figure of merit of at least ?1200° per centimeter for a predetermined wavelength of input light; and a second reflector on the magneto-optic layer, wherein the first reflector, the magneto-optic layer, and the second reflector are arranged to form an optical cavity.