Physics and applications of light-matter interactions in photonic nanostructures

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

As we embark on a journey into the nanophotonics world, we are at a time of unique opportunity analogous to the rocketing of technology that took off in the 60's around microelectronics and integration. Photonics and nanoscale integration is becoming more ubiquitous and will continue to do so. However, understanding optical processes in nanostructures and nanoparticles, in which materials exhibit novel properties due to their incredibly small size, presents many fundamental scientific challenges. To meet these challenges, the primary goal of this research program will be to focus on fundamental investigations of light-matter processes in nanoscale optical materials and explore the consequences of these for photonics application. Understanding these basic optical processes is expected to have a profound impact on the future development of Information and Communications Technology (ICT). This proposal aims to study these basic processes, develop theories and models to understand them, apply advanced computational science and engineering software to model them, and use these computer codes to explore the physics of tomorrow's ICT nanophotonic devices. Theoretical work will be complimented by support from experimental collaborators. The highly interactive nature of the project will provide an excellent training experience for graduate students and research associates in technological areas that will be vital to the Canadian economy. Contact: shughes@physics.queensu.ca