Self-imaging in multi-walled carbon nanotube arrays at visible wavelengths

We theoretically predict self-imaging induced by multi-mode interference in multi-walled carbon nanotube arrays at visible wavelengths. To obtain propagation constants of guided modes and positions of self-imaging, the dispersion relation based on a dielectric function of frequency of the designed multi-walled carbon nanotube arrays is analyzed. The field distribution of self-imaging is performed by utilizing finite element modeling of wave propagation. The results show that single image and two-fold image are reproduced alternatively in constant intervals along the propagation direction. And the constant intervals or Talbot distances increase with the radius of carbon nanotube. Numerical simulation results agree well with theoretical expectations. The self-imaging effect in multi-walled carbon nanotube arrays may have potential applications at visible wavelengths in the integrated circuits or multi-walled carbon nanotube based imaging.