BRIGE: Nanostructured Optical Materials for Integrated Optics

主要研究者：亨特，希瑟机构：密苏里大学哥伦比亚分校标题：BRIGE：用于集成光学的纳米结构光学材料摘要智力优势：新型光学材料系统具有巨大的潜力，可以彻底改变微米和纳米级集成光学器件和系统的设计、制造和性能指标。 幸运的是，新的合成技术可以在分子水平上构建纳米结构材料，这些材料可以针对特定功能进行定制，例如改善光电性能。 纳米结构沸石材料具有物理化学性质，其可以是定制的骨架原子取代、离子交换、活性客体分子如激光染料的插入等，和表面功能化，导致有趣的新的化学，机械和光电性能，尚未在集成光学系统中利用。 该BRIGE研究项目的目标是充分表征分子剪裁对沸石结构光学性质的影响，并确定其适用性和与集成光学平台的兼容性。为此，将追求三个研究目标：各种取向和组合物的薄沸石膜的合成，这些薄膜材料的光学特性，并通过标准的MEMS技术与光学元件集成。 对纳米结构材料独特光学性质的探索不仅将显著提高在分子水平上设计集成光学材料系统的知识，而且还将改变可用于提高各种光学平台整体性能的技术和材料系统的范围。 更广泛的影响：理解纳米结构材料光学特性的分子基础的基本方法将推进通信、传感和计算领域的集成光学技术的研究，并直接应用于健康和安全。 一个突出的教育部分涉及变革材料、光子学和纳米技术研究方面的“动手”教育和外联活动，将针对传统上代表性不足的群体的学生，以扩大参与。 此外，扩大参与计划旨在通过加强招聘和留用工作来增加工科女生的参与。 招募活动将包括夏令营项目期间的K-12外展活动，以及当地学校和地区学院（包括林肯大学）学生的高中和本科生实验室体验，主要是黑人和西班牙裔学生。 此外，PI正在试行Mizzou工程指导计划，这是一项新的保留工作，通过一对一的指导和网络为女学生提供专业发展和个人支持。 该计划将为代表性不足的学生创造一个更加多样化和吸引人的环境。这些活动将涉及中学，研究生和本科生，以及广大公众，其目标是扩大在集成光学系统的基础科学和工程研究中代表性不足的群体的参与。

PI: Hunt, HeatherInstitution: University of Missouri-ColumbiaTitle: BRIGE: Nanostructured Optical Materials for Integrated OpticsABSTRACTIntellectual Merit: Novel optical material systems have tremendous potential to revolutionize the design, fabrication, and performance metrics of micro- and nano-scale integrated optical devices and systems. Fortuitously, new synthetic techniques are available to build, at the molecular level, nanostructured materials that can be tailored for a specific function, such as improved optoelectronic properties. Nanostructured zeolite materials have physicochemical properties that may be tailored framework atom substitution, ion exchange, insertion of active guest molecules, such as laser dyes, etc., and surface functionalization, leading to intriguing new chemical, mechanical, and optoelectronic properties that have yet to be leveraged in integrated optical systems. The goal of this BRIGE research project is to fully characterize the effects of molecular tailoring on the optical properties of zeolite structures, and to determine their applicability for and compatibility with integrated optical platforms. Towards this end, three research objectives will be pursued: synthesis of thin zeolite films of various orientations and compositions, optical characterization of these thin film materials, and integration with optical components through standard photolithographic techniques. The exploration of the unique optical properties of nanostructured materials will not only significantly improve knowledge of designing, at the molecular level, material systems for integrated optics, but will also transform the range of techniques and material systems that can be used to improve the overall performance of a variety of optical platforms. Broader Impacts: A fundamental approach to understanding the molecular basis of optical properties in nanostructured materials will advance research in the area of integrated optics technology for communications, sensing, and computing, with direct applications in health and safety. A prominent educational component involving "hands-on" educational and outreach activities, in transformative materials, photonics, and nanotechnology research, will target students from traditionally underrepresented groups to broaden participation. Moreover, the broadening participation plan aims to increase female engineering student participation by improving recruitment and retention efforts. Recruitment activities will include K-12 outreach during summer camp programs, and high school and undergraduate student laboratory experiences for students from local schools and regional colleges, including Lincoln University, with predominantly Black and Hispanic enrollment. Additionally, the PI is piloting the Mizzou Engineering Mentoring Program, a new retention effort that provides professional development and personal support for female students via one-on-one mentoring, and networking. This plan will create a more diverse and engaging environment for underrepresented students. These activities will involve secondary, graduate and undergraduate students, and the general public with the goal of broadening participation for underrepresented groups in fundamental science and engineering research in integrated optical systems.