Chalcogenide metasurface enabled multispectral display and sensor arrays

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The introduction of optical-fibre networks in the 1980's along with the ongoing merger of optics and electronics has led to light becoming a major information carrier and manufacturing tool in 21st century society. One cannot imagine modern life without telecommunication networks, real-time sensing and modern display technologies. Therefore, dynamic control and detection of light at the nanoscale across ultraviolet, visible and infrared frequencies (UV-Vis-IR), without doubt the most socio-economically important wavelength band, is essential to a range of industries critical to Canada's security/prosperity. This is for two main reasons; i. Critical to sensing/spectroscopy, a large number of characteristic molecular absorption fingerprints originating from the intrinsic vibrational modes of chemical bonds are observed across this spectral range. ii. Telecommunication network architectures and display technologies also operate across this spectral band and require low size, weight and power devices with engineered properties that allow high spatial and temporal control and detection of light. However, there is no single display, detector or sensor that can provide accurate, spatially resolved measurements across this entire range. Therefore, the exploration and design of a singular material/device platform for compact, power-efficient, reconfigurable and adaptive photonic applications requiring ultra-fast control and detection of light across the entire UV-Vis-IR frequency range is a grand challenge in nanophotonics today. The solution is found in the exploration of reconfigurable and photoconductive chalcogenide semiconductors (alloys of sulfur, selenium or tellurium) offering wide transmission windows that depending on chemical composition can span Vis-to-IR frequencies. They offer high refractive index, low loss properties across IR frequencies and low index/plasmonic properties across UV-Vis wavelengths making them the perfect material candidate for realising `active' nanophotonic devices across this spectral band. Using these properties, the proposed research program aims to realise large area pixel arrays for electro- and all-optical spatial light modulators (displays) as well as biochemical sensors and photodetectors capable of operation across the entire UV-Vis-IR frequency range. Subwavelength nanostructuring (metasurfaces) will be deployed within each pixel to selectively enhance and tailor color, intensity, phase, polarization and beam steering properties at multiple application-dependent wavelength bands (multispectral). The multidisciplinary nature of the program will enable the training of highly qualified persons on a range of tools and techniques, by utilising the world-class nanofabrication, characterization and computing facilities at the University of Alberta. Throughout, mass-manufacturable patterning, growth and packaging techniques will be used to ensure ease of transition of the research from lab to industry.