Anodic alumina as a scalable platform for structural coloration and optical rectificationOller, Declan DaneshcreatorXu, JimmyAdvisorValles, JamesReaderMitrovic, VesnaReaderBrown University. Department of Physicssponsor2017xii, 163 p.born digitalThesis (Ph. D.)--Brown University, 2017thesesAnodized aluminum oxide (AAO) is an interesting material, occupying a unique space -- already used incredibly widely in the world, yet also commonly used for nanoscience research. However, the wealth of scientific research using it has yet to make it to the real world. Similarly, many nanoscience fields that have produced incredible results on a small scale haven’t found practical use. In this dissertation, we investigate scalable applications of AAO in two fields, and then look at their potential intersection. First, we look at its use as a scalable structural coloration platform, employing a Fabry-Perot optical cavity structure that has seen a research resurgence in recent years. Structural coloration presents the potential for a more tunable, durable, and environmentally friendly coloration system than traditional methods, though it can also be used in concert with them. We present tools to analyze the full capabilities of this structure for its future use in structural coloration as a “color by design” platform and verify them with experimental probes of fabricated samples. Further, we look to mitigate assumed limitations of this system, such as sensitivity to fabrication parameters and angular dependence. Then, we present another achievement of AAO as a scalable platform: the dielectric of a Ag-AAO-Al resistive switching (RS) system used for optical rectification (OR). RS is a well researched field, but almost entirely in the electronic context, being the first realization of the memristor. OR is a promising field with potential for energy harvesting and ultrafast light sensing that has seen a resurgence in recent years, but all published methods are either highly unrepeatable or rely on advanced nanofabrication techniques. We demonstrate an intersection of the RS field, used to create a unique OR platform that offers scalability and tunability beyond any that have been reported. We investigate the electronic effects, temperature dependence, and then present possible OR effects. Lastly, we present some potential combinations of these two projects.OpticsNanotechnologyNanosciencenanofabricationfilamentationresistive switchingoptical rectificationstructural colorationphysical colorationFabry-Perot interferometersfabry perotoptical cavityoptical resonatorThin films--Optical propertiesAluminumAluminum alloysanodized aluminumaaoAluminum--Anodic oxidationanodic aluminaanodizationAluminum oxidecolorationEnglishRPB2018061510.26300/1na6-1y78In CopyrightCollection is open for research.dissertations