Quantum Photonics and the Physics of Light

我们提出了一个综合的五年研究计划，涵盖了从光学物理的基本方面到应用工程光子学方面的研究课题。在这一更广泛的背景下，本文件重点介绍了两个具体的研究项目。一个需要研究的光子材料最近发现的PI，拥有一个非常大的（有史以来最大的测量！），超快非线性响应与其ε近零（ENZ）光谱区。我们将研究这种巨大的非线性响应的性质，其对光子学应用的影响，以及小介电常数和大非线性的组合所允许的新物理。另一个项目需要使用纳米制造方法来制造新的光子表面，结构和设备。这部分工作的一个特定目标是开发一个微型的芯片级光谱仪。这种光谱仪对改善社会有很大的希望，包括开发用于健康科学的便携式诊断设备和用于挫败恐怖主义威胁的现场准备设备。

We propose an integrated five-year research program that spans research topics ranging from fundamental aspects of optical physics to aspects of applied engineering photonics. Within this broader context, this document highlights two specific research projects. One entails studies of a photonic material recently uncovered by the PI that possesses an extremely large (largest ever measured!), ultrafast nonlinear response associated with its epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) spectral region. We will study the nature of this huge nonlinear response, its implications for photonics applications, and the novel physics permitted by the combination of small dielectric permittivity and large nonlinearity. The other project entails the use of nanofabrication methods to manufacture new photonic surfaces, structures and devices. A particular goal of this part of the work is to develop a miniature, chip-scale spectrometer. A spectrometer of this sort holds great promise for the betterment of society, including the development of portable diagnostic equipment for the health sciences and field-ready equipment to thwart terrorism threats.