Nonlinear optics at the nanoscale: theoretical and computational investigations

自20世纪60年代激光问世以来，非线性光学领域得到了广泛的研究。它需要研究强光与物质的相互作用，在那里可以实现奇异的效应，比如一种颜色的光转换成另一种颜色。不断改进的激光技术和制造方法已经打开了非线性光学在非常小的长度尺度上的大门，小到一米的十亿分之一，被称为“纳米尺度”，用于无数的应用。这些技术发展的基础是需要了解光与材料非线性相互作用的细节，以及如何利用这种相互作用来设计工艺和设备，以实现进一步的技术进步。

The field of nonlinear optics has been intensely investigated since the advent of the laser in the 1960s. It entails the study of strong light interaction with matter, where exotic effects, such one colour of light converting to another colour, can be realized. Ever improving laser technology and fabrication methods have opened the door to nonlinear optics at very small length scales down to a billionth of a meter, called “the nanoscale”, for myriad applications. Underlying these technological developments is a need to understand the details of how light interacts nonlinearly with materials, and how to use that interaction to design processes and devices for further technological advances. The overarching, long-term goal of Dr. Ramunno's research program is to use and develop state-of-the-art theoretical and computational techniques to investigate nonlinear optics at the nanoscale, in several research areas in photonics. Over five years, she will train graduate students, who will work with undergraduates and postdoctoral fellows toward the following scientific objectives. The first is to understand how images of cells and tissues are formed using a microscopy based on nonlinear optics, including what are the nanoscale limitations of such imaging, and how these may be overcome for applications such as understanding disease processes and early disease diagnosis. The second objective is to understand the mechanisms underlying laser machining of materials, and how this nonlinear interaction can be controlled to create new technologies, such as nanoscale 3D printing. The third is to design nanoscale devices to engineer the production of light, from the visible up to extreme ultraviolet radiation, for applications including communications, microscopy and laser machining. As the fabrication such nanoscale devices gets ever more precise, down to the one nanometer level, new paradigms of computational modelling are required, and Dr. Ramunno will develop these with her trainees. Dr. Ramunno has a proven track record in each area, as well as established collaborations with experimental and industrial colleagues. These collaborations, including with world-class researchers at uOttawa, will contribute to the success and impact of the proposed research, and provide unique and varied research and career opportunities to students. This work is made possible by her cutting edge computational tools and access to high performance computers, including the most powerful supercomputer in Canada.