On-chip supercontinuum generation and advanced spectroscopy on adamantane-type cluster molecules

2016年，FOR2824联盟的一部分首次证明了金刚烷型团簇产生超连续体。这种材料的极端非线性光学响应使得高阶非线性过程具有前所未有的低阈值。因此，超低阈值特别能够通过使具有金刚烷型簇分子的现成激光二极管功能化而产生白光。以这一初步结果为基础，我们将扩展这一功能化方案，将金刚烷型簇分子与波导结构相结合，构建片上超连续光源。此外，我们将进行先进的光谱实验，以扩展对材料系统非线性光学响应的整体理解。该项目的主要目标是演示基于嵌入波导结构中的金刚烷型簇的频率转换的片上白光产生。这将极大地扩展FOR 2824的适用范围，并将对这种新型材料的应用做出重大贡献。为了扩大对这些分子非线性过程的理解，我们的目标是增强和控制白光的产生。为此，我们将团簇分子嵌入光学腔中，从而增加和操纵驱动激光与金刚烷型团簇的相互作用。这种增强的相互作用将产生更强的非线性响应。此外，通过调整参数，例如，腔的共振，我们将指定系统的非线性响应。此外，我们将把材料体系的研究扩展到一个新的方向，即与远红外光的相互作用。我们将研究分子振动和实验观察到的白光产生的相互作用。这将通过在接近振动模式共振频率的远红外区域驱动白光产生来实现。结果将与FOR2824项目伙伴的理论计算密切合作进行评估，从而可以提供有关潜在非线性过程的结论。此外，将制定标准化的样品处理和表征方案。这将能够快速筛选在FOR 2824中合成的新化合物，从而加速材料优化。

Supercontinuum generation from adamantane-type clusters was first demonstrated in 2016 by part of the FOR2824 consortium. The extreme nonlinear optical response of this material enables unprecedented low threshold for higher order nonlinear processes. Consequently, the ultra-low threshold particularly enables white-light generation by functionalizing an off-the-shelf laser diode with adamantane-type cluster molecules. With this preliminary result as basis for the here proposed project, we will extend this functionalization scheme by combining the adamantane-type cluster molecules with waveguide structures to build an on-chip supercontinuum light source. Additionally, we will perform advanced spectroscopy experiments to extend the overall understanding of the processes that underly the nonlinear optical response of the material system.The main objective of this project is to demonstrate on-chip white-light generation based on frequency conversion by adamantane-type clusters embedded in waveguide structures. This will greatly extend the scope of FOR 2824 and will contribute significantly towards the applications of this new type of material. In order to extend the understanding of the nonlinear processes in these molecules, we target the enhancement and control of white-light generation. For this, we will embed the cluster-molecules in an optical cavity and thereby increase and manipulate the interaction of the driving laser with the adamantane-type clusters. This enhanced interaction will yield in an even stronger nonlinear response. Additionally, by tuning parameters like, e.g., the resonance of the cavity we will specify the nonlinear response of the system.Furthermore, we will expand the research on the material system into a new direction, namely the interaction with far infrared light. We will investigate the interplay of molecular vibrations and the experimentally observed white-light generation. This will be done by driving the white-light generation with light in the far infrared region that is close to resonance frequency of vibrational modes. The results will be evaluated in close collaboration with theoretical calculations by FOR2824 project partners and can thus provide conclusions about the underlying nonlinear processes.Additionally, a standardized sample handling and characterization protocol will be developed. This will enable a fast screening of the novel compounds synthesized in FOR 2824 and thereby accelerate the material optimization.