Diode fibres for fabric-based optical communications

Michael Rein, Valentine Dominique Favrod, Chong Hou, Tural Khudiyev, Alexander Stolyarov, Jason Cox, Chia-Chun Chung, Chhea Chhav, Marty Ellis, John Joannopoulos and Yoel Fink ()
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Michael Rein: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Valentine Dominique Favrod: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Chong Hou: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Tural Khudiyev: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Alexander Stolyarov: MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Jason Cox: Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA)
Chia-Chun Chung: Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA)
Chhea Chhav: Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA)
Marty Ellis: Inman Mills
John Joannopoulos: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Yoel Fink: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Nature, 2018, vol. 560, issue 7717, 214-218

Abstract: Abstract Semiconductor diodes are basic building blocks of modern computation, communications and sensing1. As such, incorporating them into textile-grade fibres can increase fabric capabilities and functions2, to encompass, for example, fabric-based communications or physiological monitoring. However, processing challenges have so far precluded the realization of semiconducting diodes of high quality in thermally drawn fibres. Here we demonstrate a scalable thermal drawing process of electrically connected diode fibres. We begin by constructing a macroscopic preform that hosts discrete diodes internal to the structure alongside hollow channels through which conducting copper or tungsten wires are fed. As the preform is heated and drawn into a fibre, the conducting wires approach the diodes until they make electrical contact, resulting in hundreds of diodes connected in parallel inside a single fibre. Two types of in-fibre device are realized: light-emitting and photodetecting p–i–n diodes. An inter-device spacing smaller than 20 centimetres is achieved, as well as light collimation and focusing by a lens designed in the fibre cladding. Diode fibres maintain performance throughout ten machine-wash cycles, indicating the relevance of this approach to apparel applications. To demonstrate the utility of this approach, a three-megahertz bi-directional optical communication link is established between two fabrics containing receiver–emitter fibres. Finally, heart-rate measurements with the diodes indicate their potential for implementation in all-fabric physiological-status monitoring systems. Our approach provides a path to realizing ever more sophisticated functions in fibres, presenting the prospect of a fibre ‘Moore's law’ analogue through the increase of device density and function in thermally drawn textile-ready fibres.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0390-x

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