Quantum Photonics and the Physics of Light

量子光子学和光物理学

• 批准号: RGPIN-2017-06880
• 负责人: Boyd, Robert
• 金额: $ 7.72万
• 依托单位: University of Ottawa
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2019
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2019-01-01 至 2020-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=692911
• 关键词: Quantum; Photonics; Physics; Light

We propose an integrated five-year research program that spans research topics ranging from fundamental aspects of optical physics to aspects of applied engineering photonics. Within this broader context, this document highlights two specific research projects. One entails studies of a photonic material recently uncovered by the PI that possesses an extremely large (largest ever measured!), ultrafast nonlinear response associated with its epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) spectral region. We will study the nature of this huge nonlinear response, its implications for photonics applications, and the novel physics permitted by the combination of small dielectric permittivity and large nonlinearity. The other project entails the use of nanofabrication methods to manufacture new photonic surfaces, structures and devices. A particular goal of this part of the work is to develop a miniature, chip-scale spectrometer. A spectrometer of this sort holds great promise for the betterment of society, including the development of portable diagnostic equipment for the health sciences and field-ready equipment to thwart terrorism threats.******Our program of research is important for a variety of reasons. It should lead to increased understanding of basic processes in optical physics, such as how the processes of spontaneous emission and superradiance are modified under ENZ conditions. It will also lead to increased understanding of the origin of optical nonlinearities and of why some materials are more nonlinear (in some cases dramatically so) than others. There are also practical implications to this work. One aim is to develop highly miniature (chip-scale) optical spectrometers with a spectral resolution comparable to those of laboratory-sized devices. The unprecedentedly good spectral resolution of our device is achieved by placing a highly dispersive material (a slow-light medium) within one arm of an interferometer. Such a device lends itself to myriads of application, including environmental pollution sensing, biomedical monitoring, and the detection of chemical terrorism threats. Moreover, our work on the modification of the properties of spontaneous emission should lead to means for dramatically increasing the efficiency of solid-state-lighting sources. This work has enormous commercial implications. These applications will be of benefit to Canadian society and the infrastructure to be developed will be of interest to the scientific community. This work will provide undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral HQP with highly desired skills related to photonics technology, making them attractive and competitive candidates for employment in academia, industry and government**

我们提出了一个为期五年的综合研究计划，涵盖从光学物理的基本方面到应用工程光子学方面的研究主题。在这个更广泛的背景下，本文件重点介绍了两个具体的研究项目。其中之一需要对 PI 最近发现的一种光子材料进行研究，该材料具有与其近零 (ENZ) 光谱区域相关的极大（有史以来最大的！）、超快的非线性响应。我们将研究这种巨大的非线性响应的本质、它对光子学应用的影响，以及小介电常数和大非线性相结合所允许的新颖物理学。另一个项目需要使用纳米制造方法来制造新的光子表面、结构和设备。这部分工作的一个特定目标是开发微型芯片级光谱仪。此类光谱仪为改善社会带来了巨大希望，包括开发用于健康科学的便携式诊断设备和阻止恐怖主义威胁的现场设备。******出于多种原因，我们的研究计划非常重要。它应该会增加对光学物理基本过程的理解，例如如何在 ENZ 条件下修改自发发射和超辐射过程。它还将加深人们对光学非线性的起源以及为什么某些材料比其他材料更具非线性（在某些情况下急剧非线性）的理解。这项工作也有实际意义。目标之一是开发高度微型（芯片级）光学光谱仪，其光谱分辨率可与实验室规模的设备相媲美。通过将高色散材料（慢光介质）放置在干涉仪的一个臂内，我们的设备获得了前所未有的良好光谱分辨率。这种设备有多种应用，包括环境污染传感、生物医学监测和化学恐怖主义威胁检测。此外，我们在改变自发发射特性方面的工作应该会带来显着提高固态光源效率的方法。这项工作具有巨大的商业意义。这些应用将使加拿大社会受益，而待开发的基础设施将引起科学界的兴趣。这项工作将为本科生、研究生和博士后 HQP 提供与光子技术相关的非常理想的技能，使他们成为学术界、工业界和政府就业中有吸引力和有竞争力的候选人**