Bilkent University National Nanotechnology Research Center’s (UNAM) Asst. Prof. Bülend Ortaç, in collaboration with Assoc. Prof. Timuçin Emre Tabaru and Dr. Ali Karatutlu from Sivas University of Science and Technology (SBTÜ), has discovered a new class of molecules poised to shape future technologies. This novel family of silicon-based (Si) molecules offers groundbreaking solutions for high-precision sensing and advanced laser technologies across sectors such as healthcare, defense, and telecommunications, as well as for civilian applications.
Conducted through interdisciplinary collaboration, this research integrates nanotechnology, photonics, and fiber optics to achieve uniform growth of Bragg mirrors on surfaces thinner than a strand of hair. By functionalizing the surfaces of conventional optical fibers, the team has developed next-generation, multifunctional fibers with enhanced capabilities.
A key outcome of the study is the development of a low-temperature synthesis method for silicon doped with silicon oxynitride. This method allows nanoscale control over properties such as the refractive index, which will enable the design of next-generation optical sensors with high light-reflecting capability and have a strong environmental interaction potential. Beyond fiber optics, the new molecular structures are also compatible with substrates such as glass, silicon, and borosilicate—opening up vast areas of application in biomedicine, electronics, glass manufacturing, and defense industries.
Supported by the Turkish Health Institutes (TÜSEB), the project also aims to develop high-precision optical sensors for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, under the leadership of Assoc. Prof. Tabaru, the technology will be integrated into the LIDAR project funded by the ORAN Development Agency to support autonomous vehicle technologies. The goal is to design photonic integrated circuits (PICs) that enable high-accuracy detection for both civilian and military LIDAR systems.
The research, titled “Low-Temperature Synthesis of Silicon Doped with Silicon Oxynitride for Tunable Bragg Gratings Grown Uniformly on Si, SiO₂, and Borosilicate Substrates,” has been officially patented by the Turkish Patent Institute, marking a critical milestone toward commercialization. Furthermore, the study has been featured on the cover of Advanced Optical Materials, one of the leading journals in the field of photonics.
This innovative approach, born from the UNAM–SBTÜ partnership, represents a strategic scientific and technological breakthrough that promises to enhance Turkey’s capacity for high-tech development.
