CONTROLLING PLASMONIC WAVE PROPAGATION IN 2D MATERIAL-PLASMONIC STRUCTURES FOR OPTICAL INFORMATION PROCESSING
Abstract
The overarching project objective is to investigate two-dimensional (2D) material plasmonic structures that will have applications in advanced optical information processing devices, including optical transistors, switches, and buffers. The long-term goal is to realize an on-chip architecture with 2D material-plasmonic structures as the active components that interconnect with low-loss optical waveguides. As an important building block to achieve this vision, in this project, we will investigate novel approaches to control the interactions between excitations in ultra-thin 2D semiconductors and surface waves (surface plasmons) propagating on metallic waveguides. Specifically, we will demonstrate: 1) a 1–2 order of magnitude enhancement for the nonlinear response through resonant plasmonic enhancement effect; 2) dynamic optical control of the surface plasmon group velocity; and 3) record-setting, all-optical plasmonic modulation with 2D material heterostructures. Our project goal is to realize ultrahigh (>1 THz) speed and low power (<100 fJ) optical information processing devices that exceed the current state-of-the-art, enabled by the outstanding excitonic properties of 2D semiconductors. We will develop novel information processing devices that take advantage of both the large bandwidth of optical waves (~400 THz) and the fast (~100 fs) resonant nonlinear response of 2D material excitons. These specific research objectives leverage our previous results that demonstrated ultrafast 2D material plasmonic modulators. This project is aligned with AFOSR’s mission to “support Air Force goals of control and maximum utilization of air, space, and cyberspace,” by developing novel optoelectronic device structures that have the potential to realize ultra-high speed and low energy computing devices which can used to maintain the information security of the United States. This project will fund two graduate students to carry out the proposed research tasks.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2021
- Source ID
- FA95502010217
Entities
People
- John R. Schaibley
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Arizona