Topological Photonics for Robust Light-Matter Interactions
Abstract
We propose an innovative and ambitious basic-research program aiming to establish and significantly advance a scientific basis for robust light-matter interactions in photonic material architectures based on photonic topological insulators integrating active and emergent materials components, such as nano-engineered quantum and low-dimensional materials. PI and his grouphave a unique combination of world-leading expertise in theoretical and experimental physics, photonics, electrical engineering, and materials sciences, which is ideal to put forward this entirely new paradigm of science and technology. Our efforts will lay a foundation for novel topologicalphotonic materials with unprecedented physical properties unique to regimes of strongly coupled topological light and matter and will expand horizons of fundamental science. These properties will be used to design next generation of active electromagnetic systems with new and improvedfunctionalities, which, due to the inherent topological resilience of photonic topological insulators, will push the limits of current technologies in terms of integrability, size, cost, active control, and scalability. During our effort, we will investigate and successfully overcome fundamental issues and scientific challenges in design and fabrication of passive and active topological photonicdevices, opening completely new pathways towards novel photonics technology that is resilient to defects and structural imperfections, capable of operating in extreme environments relevant for DOD missions, and outperforming other relevant technology over all metrics of DoD interests, including ultrathin and functional optical coatings, robust sensing and bio-sensing devices, as wellas in communications and nanophotonics applications.To this aim, we will: (i) explore a variety of topological platforms supporting novel topological phases emerging from coupling of light and matter, which will push the boundaries of topological physics beyond established photonic and condensed matter analogies; (ii) develop novel theoretical tools, including analytical and numerical methods, to capture unique and complexphysics of active and polaritonic topological photonic systems, such as enhanced nonlinear effects, additional degrees of freedom stemming from polaritonic components, such as spin and valley of electrons, and other relevant multi-physics phenomena; (iii) develop new manufacturing andnanofabrication techniques and materials platforms to realize cost-effec of spectrum from the visible to mid-infrared; (iv) advance the fundamental physics of light-matter interaction in topological photonic systems using ad-hoc modeling, fabrication andcharacterization tools, and by integrating topological photonic insulators with 2D, polaritonic, and quantum materials; (v) introduce new concepts for topological polaritonic metamaterials, such as emergent topological phases induced by nonlinear and polaritonic effects, and light-matter interactions to expand the fundamental understanding of photonic topological phases and pushboundaries of photonic metamaterials to new regimes and functionalities.Our efforts will unveil groundbreaking physics beyond the present understanding of topological states of both light and matter, significantly broadening the reach of our efforts. The unique synergy among diverse expertise in the PIs group, and fabrication and characterization of the proposed nascent photonic systems, will allow exploring to its full extent the impact of topological photonics for pushing the limits of numerous important applications of interest to the DoD and toour entire society.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 06, 2021
- Source ID
- N000142112092
Entities
People
- Alexander B Khanikaev
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Research Foundation of The City University of New York
- United States Navy