Shaping light at the nanoscale with nanoantennas

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In the last decade, nanophotonics has emerged as one of the most important research fields in optics. A tiny nano-object plays the role of a nano-antenna: when excited by a light source, it scatters light in the surrounding environment and may convert the incoming radiation to a different wavelength via nonlinear conversion.The scope of this PhD project is to design and fabricate silicon (Si) and silicon-nitride (SiN) on-chip nanowires and waveguides that allow shaping and controlling the linear and nonlinear scattered field at the nanoscale. Single nano-devices with arbitrary shape as well as arrays of coupled nano-devices will be designed, fabricated and tested.Besides gaining a theoretical understanding on nanophotonics, the PhD candidate will have the unique opportunity to learn how to fabricate and test these nanodevices in the state-of-the-art cleanrooms of the University of Southampton. A collaboration is in place with the University of Brescia (Italy) and the Australian National University, which will allow the PhD candidate to travel and visit our Italian and Australian academic partners.