Tests on the device showed a 1,000 per cent change in conductivity.The metasurface consists of an array of gold mushroom-like nanostructures on an array of parallel gold strips.For example, semiconductors can impose limits on a device&Wholesale floor insulation39;s conductivity, or electron flow.

Scientists have developed the first semiconductor-free, optically-controlled microelectronic device. The capabilities of existing microelectronic devices, such as transistors, are ultimately limited by the properties of their constituent materials, such as their semiconductors, researchers said."That means more available electrons for manipulation," Ebrahim said.Using meta-materials, engineers at the University of California San Diego in the US were able to build a micro-scale device that shows a 1,000 per cent increase in conductivity when activated by low voltage and a low power laser. Electron velocity is limited, since electrons are constantly colliding with atoms as they flow through the semiconductor. The gold metasurface # is designed such that when a low DC voltage (under 10 Volts) and a low power infrared laser are both applied, the metasurface generates "hot spots" – spots with a high intensity electric field - that provide enough energy to pull electrons out from the metal and liberate them into space.

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