The Quantum Dot SPASER. Can we replace electrons with photons in future computers? This project provides two steps toward this goal. By combining advanced materials with ultra-small metallic structures, a new nano-sized form of a laser, called the spaser will be realised. Furthermore, a key component of a computer, a nanoscale modulator, will be demonstrated.
Insight from Darkness: Nanophotonics for real-time phase imaging. This project aims to develop ultrathin surfaces patterned on the nanoscale for extracting information from optical wavefields. These devices can be designed to provide real-time phase contrast imaging of transparent objects. This capability would open up the possibility of live-cell imaging with no expensive optical components and no, or minimal, computational post-processing. The planar configuration is designed to be compatible ....Insight from Darkness: Nanophotonics for real-time phase imaging. This project aims to develop ultrathin surfaces patterned on the nanoscale for extracting information from optical wavefields. These devices can be designed to provide real-time phase contrast imaging of transparent objects. This capability would open up the possibility of live-cell imaging with no expensive optical components and no, or minimal, computational post-processing. The planar configuration is designed to be compatible with next-generation lab-on-a-chip technologies and permit rapid throughput diagnostics with potential applications in biomedicine and materials science. Expected project outcomes may also underpin fundamental advances in understanding the interaction of light with nanostructures.Read moreRead less
Optically resonant dielectric structures for nanophotonics. This project aims to develop a novel research program underpinning the rapid development of a new generation of low-loss nanophotonics based on the physics of optically resonant dielectric nanoparticles. Such nanoparticles are the best candidates for the emerging field of metadevices with unique functionalities well beyond the capabilities of currently existing devices. The project aims to explore the confluence of subwavelength photoni ....Optically resonant dielectric structures for nanophotonics. This project aims to develop a novel research program underpinning the rapid development of a new generation of low-loss nanophotonics based on the physics of optically resonant dielectric nanoparticles. Such nanoparticles are the best candidates for the emerging field of metadevices with unique functionalities well beyond the capabilities of currently existing devices. The project aims to explore the confluence of subwavelength photonics, metamaterial concepts, graphene physics, and nonlinear optics. The expected outcomes of this research will enable the design and world-first experimental demonstration of ultra-thin, tunable, and low-loss metadevices for novel optical technologies with unique energy harvesting, switching, and sensing functionalities.Read moreRead less
Nonlinear near-field nanophotonics. This project aims to develop nanostructures which employ both high intrinsic nonlinearities and high indices of refraction to create nanophotonic devices. Silicon photonics promises a technological leap forward through efficient photon-photon interactions within lossless dielectric nanoparticles. Light-controlling-light devices open new ways to control light-matter interaction at the nanoscale, which form the basis for many applications from all-optical inform ....Nonlinear near-field nanophotonics. This project aims to develop nanostructures which employ both high intrinsic nonlinearities and high indices of refraction to create nanophotonic devices. Silicon photonics promises a technological leap forward through efficient photon-photon interactions within lossless dielectric nanoparticles. Light-controlling-light devices open new ways to control light-matter interaction at the nanoscale, which form the basis for many applications from all-optical information processing to biomedical sensing. The expected outcomes will provide Australia with advanced technologies of integrated optical circuits with applications in optical communication networks, bioimaging, solar cells and quantum information technologies.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100048
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$340,000.00
Summary
Nanoscale optical microscopy facility. The optical microscope has enabled us to see micro-objects, leading to revolutionary discoveries in medicine and natural sciences. However, the smallest object resolved by a microscope is limited by the wavelength of light. To see nanoscale objects smaller than the wavelength, a new tool for nano-imaging is needed. This project will establish a nanoscale optical microscopy facility that will reveal the topology and true colours of the nano-objects. Such inf ....Nanoscale optical microscopy facility. The optical microscope has enabled us to see micro-objects, leading to revolutionary discoveries in medicine and natural sciences. However, the smallest object resolved by a microscope is limited by the wavelength of light. To see nanoscale objects smaller than the wavelength, a new tool for nano-imaging is needed. This project will establish a nanoscale optical microscopy facility that will reveal the topology and true colours of the nano-objects. Such information, achieved through spectroscopic analysis of the light emitted or scattered at the nanoscale, will uncover some of the most fundamental aspects of the nanoworld, leading to cutting-edge scientific discoveries and important industrial applications in photonics and solar energy.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100430
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$404,000.00
Summary
Active topological photonics with all-dielectric nanostructures. This project aims to address the challenges of topological protection in active and tunable photonic elements utilised for compact optical transmitting devices by designing dielectric nanostructures. The rapidly growing demands of information processing have launched a race for compact optical devices transmitting signals without scattering losses. The recent emergence of topological phases of light provides unique opportunities to ....Active topological photonics with all-dielectric nanostructures. This project aims to address the challenges of topological protection in active and tunable photonic elements utilised for compact optical transmitting devices by designing dielectric nanostructures. The rapidly growing demands of information processing have launched a race for compact optical devices transmitting signals without scattering losses. The recent emergence of topological phases of light provides unique opportunities to create new photonic systems immune to scattering losses and disorder increasing the efficiency of light transmission in optical devices. The project expects to advance knowledge in fundamental nanoscale optics and benefit globally important photonic applications, ranging from high-speed data processing and communications to optical storage and low-power nanolasing. This project will provide benefits by uncovering disorder-immune technologies for emerging photonic industries in Australia.Read moreRead less
Meta-optics systems for driver-fatigue monitoring. The project aims to develop novel miniaturised optical systems for driver fatigue monitoring, which provide increased sensitivity, eliminate reflections from eyeglasses and enable accurate depth measurements of facial features. The unique performance of our optical systems is derived from the concept of optical nanostructured surfaces to allow for efficient control of light wavefront and polarisation. The project aims to apply this concept to de ....Meta-optics systems for driver-fatigue monitoring. The project aims to develop novel miniaturised optical systems for driver fatigue monitoring, which provide increased sensitivity, eliminate reflections from eyeglasses and enable accurate depth measurements of facial features. The unique performance of our optical systems is derived from the concept of optical nanostructured surfaces to allow for efficient control of light wavefront and polarisation. The project aims to apply this concept to develop six different optical elements with new functionalities and performance well beyond what is possible with conventional components. This development will enable the construction of high-performance driver monitoring systems, thus facilitating a safer driving experience for all.Read moreRead less
Enhanced interaction of electromagnetics and mechanics in structured media. This project will investigate the interaction between electromagnetic waves and mechanical motion in structured media. Enhancing this interaction will improve a number of modern technologies, such as nano-scaled motors, traps for biological samples and optical wrenches. Modern fabrication techniques will link the electromagnetic and mechanical properties of media, so that the electromagnetic forces will greatly increase, ....Enhanced interaction of electromagnetics and mechanics in structured media. This project will investigate the interaction between electromagnetic waves and mechanical motion in structured media. Enhancing this interaction will improve a number of modern technologies, such as nano-scaled motors, traps for biological samples and optical wrenches. Modern fabrication techniques will link the electromagnetic and mechanical properties of media, so that the electromagnetic forces will greatly increase, making such devices able to manipulate larger objects. Structured materials can also change their properties dynamically, enabling material properties to be altered in real time. This mechanism will form the basis of advanced tunable components to control waves at visible, infrared, terahertz and microwave wavelengths.Read moreRead less
Nanophotonics for strong absorption in extremely thin solar cells: moving beyond silicon. This project will lead to the development of extremely thin solar cells made of novel low-cost materials, which would likely reduce the cost of photovoltaic technology. If the cost of photovoltaics was sufficiently low then it could have a major impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution in Australia and worldwide.
Functional metamaterials based on chiral structures. The project will develop a new class of metamaterials - artificial materials that twist light and synchronise multiple light sources. These structures will show intriguing physical properties with reduced absorption and external tunability, thus paving the way for novel optical technologies.