EMPHASIS · Enabling Multifunctional Plasmonics on Hybrid Artificial Scale-Integrated Systems
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2018-09-01 → 2020-08-31
- EU contribution
- €158,122
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF-EF-ST
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Enabling Multifunctional Plasmonics on Hybrid Artificial Scale-Integrated Systems
Optical isolation or one-way propagation of light is difficult to achieve because, unlike electrons, external forces such as applied electric or magnetic fields cannot easily control the propagation of electromagnetic waves. On the other hand, optical isolators are necessary in fibre optic communication to prevent back reflections and improve signal-to-noise ratio. To realize optical isolation magneto-optical effects are used. In magneto-optically active materials the interaction of light with the magnetized medium breaks the time-reversal symmetry and gives rise to non-reciprocal optical properties i.e. distinct propagation characteristics to forward and backward propagating waves. The development of on-chip optical communications requires downscaling of optical components, e.g replacing optical fibres with nanoscale waveguides. The miniaturization of optical isolators is therefore a key step towards integrated photonic circuits. This process is limited by the limited magnitude of magneto-optical activity in most know materials. We approach this challenge by taking advantage of surface plasmon resonances that can squeeze light down to nanoscale dimensions, thus giving rise to enhanced light-matter interaction. We combine plasmonic waveguides with ferroelectric and -magnetic materials that, in turn, break the space-inversion and time reversal symmetries to create non-reciprocal conditions for light propagation. The ferroelectric and magnetic materials provide us with an additional interesting advantage: their optical properties can be adjusted by applying external electric and magnetic fields, enabling active control over light in nanoscale. Our objective is thus to demonstrate a miniaturized device capable of optical isolation that takes advantage of properties of ferroelectric and ferromagnetic materials that break the inversion and time-reversal symmetries.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Optical isolator, or optical diode, is a device, which allows the transmission of light in only one direction. They are used in fibre optic communication to prevent back reflections and improve signal-to-noise ratio. The development of on-chip optical communications requires downscaling of optical components, e.g replacing optical fibres with nanoscale waveguides. The miniaturization of optical isolators is therefore a key step towards integrated photonic circuits. We approach this challenge by taking advantage of surface plasmon resonances that can squeeze light down to nanoscale dimensions. We combine plasmonic waveguides with ferroelectric and -magnetic materials that, in turn, break the space-inversion and time reversal symmetries to create non-reciprocal conditions for light propagation. The ferroelectric and magnetic materials provide us with an additional interesting advantage: their optical properties can be adjusted by applying external electric and magnetic fields, enabling active control over light in nanoscale. The proposed research project brings together the candidate’s expertise in plasmonics and the hosting group’s established knowledge in oxide thin films. This creates excellent conditions for training through research and knowledge transfer. We envision two significant outcomes: (i) demonstration of a proof-of-concept plasmonic isolator based on symmetry considerations and (ii) assessing the viability of using active oxide materials as tools to control plasmon propagation with external fields. The H2020 Innovation Union initiative strives to drive economic growth in the EU by innovation. In line with this strategy, we recognize that EMPHASIS offers ample potential for technological applications and include strategies to ensure that the potential can be realized.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS · MadridCoordinatorSpain
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union