Materials World Network: Dynamic Photonic Crystals Based on Inorganic/Organic Hybrid Materials

凯斯西储大学获得的这一材料世界网络奖旨在促进美国研究人员与两家德国机构（即位于哈勒的马克斯普朗克微观结构物理研究所和帕德博恩大学）在设计、制备和研究具有动态或非线性带隙的光子晶体（pc）方面的材料合作研究。该奖项由材料研究部电子材料项目共同资助和管理，旨在创建和研究基于大孔硅和二氧化钛的混合材料，并有意识地设计有机三阶非线性光学材料。这些活动包括：(i)有序多孔基板和器件的设计、制造和表征，这些基板和器件构成了具有动态带隙的pc的基础；（ii）合成量身定制的低分子量和聚合物有机非线性光学发色团，这些发色团具有很大的光学非线性和适当的物理化学性质，可以湿润和填充多孔基底；(3)渗透机理的研究以及孔隙内部中间相形成的研究；(4)基于无机/有机光子混合系统的非线性光学材料和器件的体积特性的光学表征。这些结构材料的特点是介电常数的空间周期性变化，并且由于使用非线性光学材料，显示可变的光学性质。具有动态光学带隙的材料可以形成超高速光开关的物理基础，这是相当重要的技术兴趣，可以实现从高密度光学数据处理到自适应光学到高通量通信系统的大量应用。该奖项也由国际科学与工程办公室的西欧项目共同资助。研究方向涉及材料化学、高分子科学与工程、无机微加工、光学与器件物理等领域。它为当前国际上致力于创造一类新的光学材料，对这些系统的基本理解及其在技术相关应用中的开发提供了新的和原创的想法。该奖项将产生新的知识和材料，通过创造新的产品和技术，有可能造福社会。研究活动旨在整合研究和教育，提供一个令人兴奋的学习环境，并为研究生和本科生创造教学机会。跨学科的研究方法和计划的交流项目将在美国和德国各级研究人员之间建立长期有益的关系。拟议的研究利用并支持凯斯西储大学通过联邦和州拨款组建的研究基础设施。与克利夫兰自然历史博物馆的合作伙伴关系承诺加强公众的科学和技术教育，并向市中心学校的孩子们伸出援手。

This Materials World Network award to Case Western Reserve University is to promote cooperative research in materials between US investigators and their counterparts from two German institutions, namely the Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics in Halle and the University of Paderborn, in the design, preparation and study of photonic crystals (PCs) with a dynamic or nonlinear band gap. This award, co-funded and managed by the Electronic Materials program in the Division of Materials Research, aims to create and study hybrid materials based on macroporous silicon and titania and consciously designed organic third-order nonlinear optical materials. These activities include: (i) the design, fabrication and characterization of ordered porous substrates and devices that form the basis for PCs with dynamic band gaps; (ii) the synthesis of tailor-made low-molecular weight and polymeric organic nonlinear optical chromophores which exhibit large optical nonlinearities and appropriate physico-chemical properties to wet and fill the porous substrates; (iii) the study of the infiltration mechanisms along with the investigation of the formation of mesophases inside the pores; and (iv) the optical characterization of the bulk properties of the nonlinear optical materials and devices based on inorganic/organic photonic hybrid systems. These structured materials are characterized by a spatially periodic variation of the dielectric permittivity and, due to the use of nonlinear optical materials, display variable optical properties. Materials with dynamic optical band gap may form the physical basis for ultra-fast optical switches, which are of considerable technological interest and could enable a plethora of applications that range from high-density optical data processing to adaptive optics to high-throughput communications systems. This award is also co-funded by the Western Europe Program in the Office of the International Science and Engineering. The proposed research is at the interface of materials chemistry, polymer science and engineering, inorganic microfabrication, as well as optical and device physics. It contributes new and original ideas to the current international efforts focused on the creation of a new class of optical materials, the fundamental understanding of these systems and their exploitation in technologically relevant applications. The award would result in new knowledge and materials that potentially will benefit society by the creation of new products and technologies. The research activities are designed to integrate research and education, to provide an exciting learning environment and to create teaching opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students. The interdisciplinary research approach and the planned exchange programs would have long-lasting beneficial relationship between US and German researchers at all levels. The proposed research draws on and supports research infrastructure assembled through federal and state grants at Case Western Reserve University. A partnership with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History promises to enhance the scientific and technological education of the public and outreach to children from inner city schools.