Extreme Nonlinear Optics with Low-Index Materials
Abstract
MOTIVATION: The discovery and development of novel photonic materials is critically linked to advances in fundamental science of light and optical technologies. Recently, the regime where the index of refraction, or complex permittivity, of a material is near zero has become a topic of large interest due to fascinating phenomena such as ~static light~, enhanced nonlinearities, light~tunneling~ and emitter radiation tailoring. The most exiting avenue for this research is the novel optical phenomena such materials can produce. Here, the key advancements are expected to come from the area of nonlinear optics with such low index (near-zero-index) materials. This new research direction promises to bring fundamentally new effects and rewrite the very foundationsof nonlinear interactions leading to both new physics and device concepts. However, most of nearzero-index materials have so far been realized in composite platforms that have fundamental limitations due to their complexity and minimal length scale dictated by the unit cells size. Thus, the search of homogeneous materials that exhibit extremely low index behavior is of crucialimportance for realizing the full potential of extraordinary nonlinear optics for photonics and quantum optics.OBJECTIVES AND GOALS: The objectives of the proposed program are to investigate largely unexplored nonlinear optics in low index materials and to explore new regimes of extreme lightmatter interaction in such materials. In contrast to previous approaches, focusing on realization of low-index (LI) materials via structured photonic media, we will utilize low loss transparentconducting oxides (TCOs) as naturally occurring LI materials with LI region in the technologically relevant telecommunication spectral region. This program will study both theoretically and experimentally, the fundamental nonlinear light-matter interactions in the LI regime of TCOs. The proposed fundamental studies include advancing constituent materials, development of novel theoretical models, and experimental studies of extreme light-matter interactions. Specifically, we will investigate the linear and nonlinear optical response of TCOs in the LI spectral region and develop theoretical descriptions of nonlinear processes in LI materials beyond standard perturbation theory. Our goal is also to demonstrate new nonlinear phenomena enabled by extremely LI TCO films and structures.BROADER IMPACTS AND DOD RELEVANCE: The knowledge gained within the proposed research will be transferred to a broad community of scientists, engineers and the general public. The proposed project will impact science and technology by developing basic foundational knowledge of a special optical materials class and could be applicable to advancing novel light sources, communication, sensing, imaging, and quantum information technologies. The project will provide hands-on training in state-of-the-art facilities and help to train the next generation of scientists and engineers for DoD agencies and laboratories. The innovative proposed research program will contribute to the ONR~s mission to develop a new generation of combat devices/systems that are efficient, compact, versatile, and multifunctional.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 11, 2020
- Source ID
- N000142012199
Entities
People
- Alexandra Boltasseva
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Virginia