Nano-optics: plasmonics, near-field imaging and optical trapping for applications to solar cells and biology

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Nano-Optics is an emerging science on the behavior of the light and its interaction with the material in nano-scale. Many nano-photonic devices for different applications have been proposed, among which the metal nano-sized (plasmonic) structures attack huge research interest because of its capacity for high confinement and enhancement of the light in the near-field. Numerical tools, such as the Finite Difference in Time Domain (FDTD), are widely used for solving electromagnetic optics problems and modeling nano-photonics devices. Furthermore, we are more interested in the nano-optics that addresses more fundamental issues, basic concepts, physical understanding and theoretical analysis of nanophotonic structures. From our background in diffractive optics and image science we propose six related research projects in nano-optics in this Discovery research program: (1) Diffraction of the plasmonic nano-structure for efficient thin film solar cells; (2) Near-field imaging with metallic superlens; (3) Nano-resolution imaging using nanorod nonlinear optics sources; (4) Radiation force and torque on the optically trapped nanorod; (5) Biological cell deformation in optical traps; (6) Optical tweezers for test the impact of Keratin intermediate filaments on cell's mechanical activities. Our objective is to make original and significant contributions in the related areas of nano-optics, which will lead to innovative designs of nanophotonic devices for applications in the thin film solar cells, the nano-resolution imaging and the mechanics of biological cells. The long-term objective is to build research expertise in these important new areas of nano-optics in Quebec and Canada through our research contributions, international and internal collaborations and training of highly qualified personals.