Systems and Methods for Controlling Chirality of Nanotubes

Abstract

A system is provided that can be utilized to generate nanotubes with substantially similar chirality. The system provides a resonant frequency, keyed to a desired radial breathing mode linked to the desired chirality, that causes a template of catalysts particles or nanotubes to oscillate at the provided resonant frequency, so as to stimulate growing nanotubes to oscillate at a corresponding resonant frequency. This resonant frequency can be a result of a high frequency field or the natural heat radiation generated by the system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for manufacturing nanotubes, the method comprising:
 exposing a preselected nanotube having a desired chiral nature in an environment having a heat source with sufficient heat energy to radiate the preselected nanotube;   allowing the radiated nanotube to re-radiate at its natural frequency in the presence of the heat source; and   permitting the re-radiating nanotube to stimulate nanotubes growing adjacent thereto to grow with a substantially similar chirality as that exhibited by the re-radiating nanotube.   
     
     
         2 . A method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the step of exposing includes securing the preselected nanotube on a substrate for subsequent exposure to a heat source. 
     
     
         3 . A method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the step of exposing includes subjecting the nanotube to a substantially high temperature exceeding about 1250° C. 
     
     
         4 . A method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the step of exposing includes introducing into the environment a catalyst precursor from which a catalyst particle can be generated for nanotube growth thereon. 
     
     
         5 . A method as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein, in the step of introducing, the catalyst precursor includes one of ferrocene, nickelocene, cobaltocene, iron, iron alloy, copper, gold, nickel, cobalt, their oxides or their alloys, a combination of any of these, a combination of any of these with other metals or ceramics compounds. 
     
     
         6 . A method as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein, in the step of introducing, the catalyst precursor includes one of aluminum oxide, MnO, other similar oxides, Fe 3 O 4 , Fe 2 O 4 , FeO, carbonyl compounds of iron, cobalt or nickel, or a combination of any of these. 
     
     
         7 . A method as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the step of introducing further includes introducing into the environment a reactive gas for use as a source for nanotube growth on the catalyst particles. 
     
     
         8 . A method as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein in the step of further introducing, the reactive gas includes one of ethanol, methyl formate, propanol, acetic acid, hexane, methanol, a combination of methanol with ethanol, C 2 H 2 , CH 3 , CH 4 , or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . A method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the step of allowing includes permitting the nanotube re-radiating at its natural frequency to resonate at a frequency that allows a growing nanotube adjacent thereto to grow at or near a diameter of the selected nanotube. 
     
     
         10 . A method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the step of allowing includes permitting a volume of nanotubes substantially uniform in their chiral nature to be manufactured. 
     
     
         11 . A radiant energy generator comprising:
 a housing having a first end, an opposite second end, and reflective interior surfaces extending between the first end and the second end;   a heat source positioned at the first end of the housing for generating radiant energy;   a filter positioned at the second end of the housing to allow only energy within a terahertz range to pass; and   an exit port at the second end of the housing and adjacent the filter through which only the energy within the terahertz range leaves the housing.   
     
     
         12 . A generator as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the housing is sufficiently small or of portable size. 
     
     
         13 . A generator as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the radiant heat generated by the heat source exceed about 1250° C. 
     
     
         14 . A generator as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the heat source is designed to generate pulses of radiant energy. 
     
     
         15 . A generator as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the heat source is a flash lamp. 
     
     
         16 . A generator as set forth in  claim 11 , further including a capacitor coupled to the heat source for providing sufficient power to permit the heat source to generate the necessary level of radiant energy. 
     
     
         17 . A generator as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the filter includes a frequency selective surface embedded within the filter. 
     
     
         18 . A generator as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the frequency selective surface includes one or more slots dimensioned to permit energy within a terahertz range to pass therethrough. 
     
     
         19 . A generator as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the energy leaving the exit port can be used in connection with radar sensing to detect presence of items resonating at a frequency similar to the energy leaving the exit port. 
     
     
         20 . A generator as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the energy leaving the exit port can be used in connection with remote detection of one of chemical agents and biological agents that resonate at a frequency similar to the energy leaving the exit port. 
     
     
         21 . A generator as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the energy leaving the exit port can be used in connection with detection of cracks in hard foam that resonate at a frequency similar to the energy leaving the exit port. 
     
     
         22 . A generator as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the energy leaving the exit port can be used in connection with tumor imaging to detect cancerous tissue that resonate at a frequency similar to the energy leaving the exit port. 
     
     
         23 . A generator as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the energy leaving the exit port can be used in connection with counterfeit detection of watermarks that resonate at a frequency similar to the energy leaving the exit port. 
     
     
         24 . A generator as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the energy leaving the exit port can be used in connection with providing spectroscopic information about a composition of a material that resonate at a frequency similar to the energy leaving the exit port. 
     
     
         25 . A method of generating radiant energy, the method comprising:
 providing a reflective pathway;   directing radiant energy from one end of the reflective pathway towards an opposite end of the reflective pathway   filtering the radiant energy at the opposite end of the reflective pathway to allow only energy within a terahertz range to pass; and   
       allow only the energy within the terahertz range exit the reflective pathway.