Optochemical organisation: from functional microstructures to all-optical encoding of light beams

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Some of our most critical survival tools rely on light to illuminate, precisely measure, capture and generate images, transmit data, play music, fabricate sub-microscopic structures on computer chips, diagnose illness and map and treat internal organs. Each of these technologies is based on a profound understanding of how lightwaves interact with their medium, and how these interactions measurably change parameters such as the intensity, wavelength and polarization of light. An overarching goal of current photonics research is to manipulate and precisely control light beams within microscopic structures. This is crucial to develop light-based devices that surpass the functionality, efficiency and speed of microelectronics. My research examines the interactions of light and chemical systems; when illuminated, these systems undergo an increase in density (and refractive index). By exploiting such changes, we have trained laser and incandescent beams to travel over long distances without dissipating, create microscopic lattices and interact by fusing together or repelling each other. With this knowledge and experience that combine chemistry and optics, we now propose powerful new strategies to control light propagation. Specifically, we will (1) fabricate films embedded with dense arrays (e.g. 10, 000 per cubic centimetre) of light-guiding channels called waveguides, which are oriented over a large angular range. When coated onto solar panels, they capture more Sun rays and in this way, improve the efficiency of converting light to electricity; (2) harness interactions between large populations of light beams to generate a new system of binary codes (like bits); here, data can be composed from more than a million combinations of unique light patterns. Because the patterns can be generated with low-intensity, LED light, this could open an inexpensive route to perform computing. We will also (3) continue studies to further understand the interactions of light and different photochemical systems. This research will provide interdisciplinary training for highly qualified personnel who are crucial for Canada to effectively compete in the field of photonics, one of the key scientific and technological sectors in this century.