Story perspectives

New Nanofabrication Method Enhances Photonic Device Performance

4/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

Researchers developed a nanofabrication strategy for van der Waals materials to advance photonic devices.
The process starts with mechanical exfoliation of van der Waals flakes, followed by deposition of a protective aluminum layer.
Focused ion beam milling patterns nanoscale structures, with the aluminum layer preventing damage and preserving optical performance.
Measurements show aluminum-protected samples have superior crystalline and optical properties, enabling sub-100 nm resolutions and precise pattern alignment.

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Story summary

Researchers developed a nanofabrication strategy for van der Waals materials to advance photonic devices.
The process starts with mechanical exfoliation of van der Waals flakes, followed by deposition of a protective aluminum layer.
Focused ion beam milling patterns nanoscale structures, with the aluminum layer preventing damage and preserving optical performance.
Measurements show aluminum-protected samples have superior crystalline and optical properties, enabling sub-100 nm resolutions and precise pattern alignment.