Ultrafast antenna-assisted phase transitions and applications in nanoscale optical switches

纳米天线是一种小型纳米结构，旨在将光集中在亚波长长度尺度上。这种浓度可以用来局部加热材料或驱动能量过程。在这个项目中，我们探索了光学天线结构在控制相变材料中的应用。我们的团队最近在光子器件中应用这些材料的沉积方面开发了独特的专业知识。该项目解决了如何使用光在当地解决其相变的挑战。学生将使用我们的洁净室设施学习材料沉积和纳米天线制造的一系列技术。他将对这些器件进行光学研究，包括先进的光开关研究。结果将使用数值和分析建模工具进行建模。最后，新器件将在集成光子开关和控制光的超表面中实现新的应用。

Nanoantennas are small nanostructures designed to concentrate light on sub-wavelength length scales. This concentration can be used to locally heat up materials or drive energetic processes. In this project we explore the use of optical antenna structures in controlling phase change materials. Our team has recently developed a unique expertise in deposition of these materials for applications in photonic devices. The project addresses the challenge of how to locally address their phase change using light. The student will learn a range of techniques in materials deposition and nanofabrication of antennas using our clean room facilities. He will perform optical studies of these devices, including advanced optical switching studies. Results will be modelled using numerical and analytical modelling tools. Finally the new devices will be implemented into new applications in integrated photonic switches and metasurfaces for controlling light.