Foundational and Applied Surface Plasmon Photonics

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This research program is devoted to the study of surface plasmon photonics (plasmonics) and metasurfaces. These fields are presently of very high interest due to advances in nano-fabrication techniques, the existence of many unresolved problems, and the interesting and sometimes unique peculiarities that are found in plasmonics and metasurfaces which create opportunities for new applications. These fields are multidisciplinary, attracting electrical engineers, materials engineers, physicists and (bio)chemists. The objectives of this proposal are to research and demonstrate fundamental and far-reaching ideas that will underpin future work and industrial collaborations. In particular we will investigate: (a) parity-time (PT) symmetric and exceptional-point (EP) devices, (b) nanoscale optoelectronics and high-harmonic generation (HHG), and (c) multimodal and in-vivo biosensors. Emphasis is placed on concepts where surface plasmons and metasurfaces play a central role. The scientific approaches comprise a mix of theory, device nanofabrication and experimentation appropriate to meeting our objectives, and essential if real advances toward our objectives are to be made. The work will be partitioned into packages suitable for doctoral theses, providing opportunities for students to participate in exciting, cutting-edge research having evident industrial applications. Several collaborators will be involved in the program, nationally and internationally (Germany, Korea, Malaysia). The theoretical and modelling work will be carried out using in-house and commercial modelling tools on PCs, servers and high-performance computers accessed via Compute Canada. The experimentation will be carried out in world-class facilities housed in the Advanced Research Complex at uOttawa, including new cleanrooms housing a state-of-the-art nanofabrication facility. Conducting the work described in this proposal will result in ground-breaking advances, timely and of strong interest to the broad photonics, telecom and sensor communities. (a) PT Symmetry: After initial demonstrations of basic PT-symmetric functions, the race to applications is on, attracting many powerful research groups around the globe. PT symmetric and exceptional point devices enable unprecedented optical functions that could define next generation optical networks, such as unidirectional amplifiers, unidirectional lasers, and vortex lasers that generate light carrying orbital angular momentum. (b) Optoelectronics at the nanoscale are of critical importance to high-speed short-reach communications and data-centre traffic in an increasingly connected world. High harmonics hold the promise of benchtop sources of coherent high energy photons. (c) Biosensors for real-time disease detection can have a major impact on patient diagnosis and disease management, not only in clinical labs, but also at the point of care. Rapid testing at the point-of-care is especially important during a pandemic.