Active 2-dimensional optical meta-surfaces

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

The market for high contrast diffractive gratings is growing rapidly as active sensing of 3D scenes becomes a dominant feature in modern consumer electronics. Advances in lithographic techniques and development of optical specific processes in ST semiconductor foundries has opened the door for high volume mass production of high refractive index contrast diffractive optical elements with unprecedented precision. The functionality of high contrast diffractive optics can be enhanced by implementing so-called meta-surface structures: sub-micron structures that exhibit exciting optical properties, for example, total transmission and selectable phase retardation. This project will aim to address the tuneability of such structures, by control of the surrounding electrical field we aim to dynamically manipulate the function of an optical element in solid-state. The project will play a key role in building expertise in the design, simulation and manufacture of active tuneable meta-surfaces, bringing this exciting new optical technology to the cutting edge of consumer applications. The successful student will be working with ST imaging's Product Design team in Edinburgh to develop design and simulation methodologies, collaborating with ST foundries in Europe to define the manufacturing process and meeting key ST customers from around the world to deliver this technology into ST's time-of-flight product roadmap and into the mass market.