Micropolarizer of Ordered Ni Nanowire Arrays Embedded in Porous Anodic Alumina Membrane

A micropolarizer of nickel nanowire arrays within an anodic alumina membrane (AAM) was fabricated by anodization of pure Al and electrodeposition of Ni, respectively. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission-electron microscopy reveal that the nanowires are polycrystal and have an average diameter of 70 nm. Spectrophotometer measurements show that the nickel nanowire arrays embedded in the AAM can only transmit polarized light vertical to the wires. An extinction ratio of 25 to 30 dB and an average insertion loss of 1.07 dB in the wavelength range of 1-2.5μm were obtained, respectively. Thus, Ni nanowire/AAM can be used as a wire grid type micropolarizer.