Structural Effects on the Plasmonic and Phononic Properties of Low Dimension Nanostructures

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This program aims at understanding the relationship between atomic structure and plasmon/phonon properties in nanoscale materials which exhibit potential for novel technologies in light control (plasmonics), and heat control and thermal management (phononics). The proposed research program includes 2 main objectives: i) To discover the role of the atomic arrangement in the plasmonic properties of one-dimension (1D) atom-sized metal structures. In particular, to analyze the effects of the atomic arrangement on the local confinement and surface plasmon damping, down to the atom level. This work will be done through investigations of 1D gold nanowires, and ribbons fabricated from 2D layer materials (1T-MoS2, NbS2). The knowledge is expected to contribute to the development of improved plasmon-based catalysis and efficient photonics applications. ii) To discover the role of size, shape, atom-scale features (edges, defects, interfaces) in the phonon properties of nanostructures (dimers and interfaces) to deepen our understanding of light-phonon coupling and nanoscale heat transfer in novel materials. The study will be focused on the analysis of bulk and surface phonon properties of materials which exhibit compelling properties for development of low-loss terahertz nanophotonics (4H-SiC, h-BN, alfa-MoO3), and for heat control and thermal management (Boron arsenide, C-60 crystals). We expect to identify the spectral response for heat dissipation in gap between particles, determine the spatial distribution of the vibrational modes, analyze the shape-size effects which maximize nanoscale thermal emission, and determine channels for heat dissipation at interfaces in transistors. The research will use instruments at the Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy that includes state-of-the-art transmission electron microscopes, allowing sub-Angstrom imaging and spectroscopy down to the infrared range. These instruments will provide new information on structure of materials (via imaging) and plasmon/phonon response (via spectroscopy) at an unprecedented spatial and energy resolution. The knowledge derived by this program will lead to practical applications as development of efficient infrared detectors and solid-state transistors in the semiconductor industry, and ultimately trigger the growth/establishment of industries in Canada. The expertise of the applicant in the research subject is demonstrated by sustained international recognition with several invited talks at international conferences, scientific awards, and publications in top journals as a leading author. Over the next 5 years, this program will support a minimum of 3 PhD students and the significant use of advanced instrumentation, which have high maintenance costs, but are currently competitive with the best in the world. Under the umbrella of this program, the students are expected contribute to the establishment of new research areas in Canada, generating knowledge beyond the current scenario.