EAGER: Ultrathin metasurfaces for low-intensity nonlinear optics

这项急切的计划的目标是设计、理论建模和实验演示一类基于具有巨大非线性光学响应的子带间极化子的新型大面积超薄亚表面，其大小超过迄今科学文献中报道的任何装置。概念验证演示工作将集中在开发中红外区域的高效二次谐波产生镜上。然而，提出的概念要广泛得多，可以很容易地扩展到其他非线性光学现象。智力优势：拟议的研究将在非线性光学和超材料技术中引入新的概念。首次研究了金属-介质-金属微腔中强耦合光学模式的子带间激发的非线性响应。通过耦合金属-介质-金属超材料腔中的子带间跃迁与自组织工程谐振模的耦合，可以进一步增强耦合量子井系统中已经存在的巨大的子带间光学非线性。更广泛的影响：拟议的研究结合了超材料理论、光电子学、非线性光学和半导体物理学的元素。这种结合为研究生和本科生提供了一个丰富的跨学科教育环境。在我们的研究工作中开发的知识和技术将被纳入目前由PI和Co-PI教授的重点研究生水平的课程。在本项目中开发的超曲面有望在工业上得到广泛应用。国际和平协会将继续每年参加NNIN REU项目，让参与拟议研究的学生参与，并让联合国际参与这一努力。在K-12级别，PI和共同PI将与NSF赞助的UTeachEngineering计划合作。

The objective of this EAGER proposal is to design, theoretically model, and experimentally demonstrate a novel class of large-area ultra-thin metasurfaces based on intersubband polaritons with giant nonlinear optical response, orders of magnitude larger than any device reported so far in the scientific literature. Proof-of-concept demonstration efforts will focus on development highly-efficient second harmonic generation mirrors in the mid-infrared regime. The proposed concept is, however, much broader and can be readily extended to other nonlinear optical phenomena.Intellectual Merits: The proposed research will introduce novel concepts in nonlinear optics and in metamaterial technology. For the first time, nonlinear response of intersubband excitations strongly coupled to optical modes in metal-dielectric-metal microcavities will be investigated. Already giant intersubband optical nonlinearities in coupled-quantum-wells systems can be further boosted by coupling intersubband transitions with ad-hoc engineered resonant modes in metal-dielectric-metal metamaterial cavities. Broader Impacts: The proposed research combines elements of metamaterial theory, optoelectronics, nonlinear optics, and semiconductor physics. This combination offers a rich, interdisciplinary educational environment for graduate and undergraduate students. Knowledge and techniques developed during our research efforts will be incorporated into focused graduate-level courses currently taught by the PI and Co-PI. The metasurfaces developed in this project are expected to find numerous industrial applications. The PI will continue his annual participation in the NNIN REU program with students involved in the proposed research and involve the co-PI in this effort. At the K-12 level, PI and co-PI will collaborate with NSF-sponsored UTeachEngineering program.