Optical and terahertz interactions with phase-change materials and nanostructures

光学和太赫兹与相变材料和纳米结构的相互作用

• 批准号: RGPIN-2020-05583
• 负责人: Haché, Alain
• 金额: $ 1.75万
• 依托单位: Université de Moncton
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2021-01-01 至 2022-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=740670
• 关键词: Optical; terahertz; interactions; phase; change

This application seeks support for research on the interactions between light and tunable media such as phase change materials (PCM's) and nanostructures. PCM's are being studied to advance knowledge in condensed-matter physics and used in optical technologies such as data storage and memory. One important PCM is vanadium dioxide (VO2), whose reversible phase transition from semiconductor to metal can be induced thermally or optically on rapid time scales. Large refractive index changes occur during the phase transition, making the material capable of modifying and controlling the flow of light. Other materials with similar properties include chalcogenides like Ge2Sb2Te5 and AgInSbTe. Building on the experience gained in recent years with PCM's, I will explore three new avenues: Terahertz (THz) radiation is important to science as a probe to study the fundamental properties of materials, and useful to industry as an imaging tool capable of penetrating materials that are opaque to visible and infrared light. The expansion of THz science has relied not only on the development of efficient detectors and powerful coherent sources, but also on the availability of basic components to manipulate the field, such as polarizers, modulators and phase-plates. To this end, one of the research goals is to explore how PCM's can modify and control the amplitude, phase and polarization of THz radiation on rapid time scales. Phase change displays have generated much interest in recent years, as ultra-thin color displays were demonstrated based on interference effects of white light in PCM films. By switching the material between its two phases, the reflected spectrum was shifted to different color coordinates. Having previously found that VO2 alters the polarization state of light, I would like to investigate polarization effects as a way to enhance the performance of phase change displays. Gold nanoparticles, with optical properties tunable with size, will be combined with PCM's to further enhance coloration control. Silicon optical components are interesting because they create an interface for photonics and electronics, and because of the many technologies available to process the material at the nanometer scale. One goal of this research proposal is to study how thin, uniform layers of PCM's interfaced to silicon can achieve some basic functions of silicon photonics, such as controlling the flow of light in and out of silicon and silicon waveguides, and controlling the amplitude, phase and polarization of the light traveling inside. The research program will benefit society by training students in research fields that are relevant to both fundamental knowledge and optical technology. Given the applied nature of the research, there is significant potential for partnerships with industry for the creation of new photonic devices.

该申请旨在支持光与可调谐介质（如相变材料）和纳米结构)之间相互作用的研究。人们正在研究PCM，以推进凝聚态物理方面的知识，并将其用于数据存储和存储器等光学技术。一个重要的PCM是二氧化钒（VO2），其从半导体到金属的可逆相变可以在快速的时间尺度上热或光诱导。在相变过程中会发生较大的折射率变化，使材料能够改变和控制光的流动。其他具有类似性质的材料包括硫族化合物，如Ge2Sb2Te5和AgInSbTe。基于近年来在PCM中获得的经验，我将探索三个新的途径：太赫兹（THz）辐射对于科学研究材料基本特性的探针很重要，并且作为能够穿透可见光和红外光不透明的材料的工业成像工具很有用。太赫兹科学的扩展不仅依赖于高效探测器和强大相干源的发展，而且还依赖于操纵场的基本组件的可用性，如偏振器、调制器和相板。为此，研究目标之一是探索PCM如何在快速时间尺度上修改和控制太赫兹辐射的幅度、相位和极化。相变显示近年来引起了人们极大的兴趣，因为超薄彩色显示是基于白光在PCM薄膜中的干涉效应。通过在材料的两相之间切换，反射光谱被转移到不同的颜色坐标。在先前发现VO2改变光的偏振状态后，我想研究偏振效应作为增强相变显示器性能的一种方式。金纳米粒子的光学性质可随尺寸调整，将与PCM相结合，进一步加强色彩控制。硅光学元件之所以有趣，是因为它们为光子学和电子学创造了一个界面，而且有许多技术可以在纳米尺度上处理这种材料。本研究计划的目标之一是研究如何将薄而均匀的PCM层与硅相结合，以实现硅光子学的一些基本功能，例如控制光在硅和硅波导中的进出，以及控制在硅和硅波导中传播的光的振幅、相位和偏振。该研究项目将通过培养与基础知识和光学技术相关的研究领域的学生来造福社会。考虑到这项研究的应用性质，与工业界合作创造新的光子器件具有巨大的潜力。