Metamaterial Superlattice Designs for Metamaterial Superlattice Designs for Control of Spatially Coh
Abstract
Our previous Vanderbilt-PSU program demonstrated that Tamm polaritons offer untapped opportunities to simplify efficient light coupl,ing into and out of unpaterned surfaces with user-defined spectral coherence. We also demonstrated that the spatial coherence of the,rmal emission can be engineered through polaritonic strong coupling, while retaining high quality factor resonances. We propose to b,uild on these successes with three additional innovative leaps: i) developing polaritonic stacks with both vertical and lateral cont,rast in the IR dielectric function so that strong coupling is now possible in three-dimensions; ii) designing aperiodic multi-index, Bragg reflectors for achieving outstanding spectral coherence; and iii) integrating polaritonic stacks with a new generation of wur,tzite ferroelectrics featuring ultra-high polarization to modulate interface carrier densities at new levels. A series of collaborat,ive innovations developed by the Vanderbilt-PSU team in large part by ONR investments enable these opportunities. The most important, among them include a recent inverse design approach to predict and optimize aperiodic Bragg reflectors and Tamm mode hosts that can, be run on any desktop computer, CdO thin films whose plasma frequency can be tuned broadly across the near-to-long-wave IR spectrum,, a keen appreciation for strong coupling in plasmonic stacks to master spatial coherence, approaches to laterally pattern plasma fr,an be easily integrated with CdO for active modulation. This research will create the scientific underpinnings and engineering know-,how to fabricate IR optical stacks that emit multiple IR colors that can be directly matched to complex spectra (such as the absorpt,ion spectrum of -a molecule of interest), and can be directed along a specific trajectory in free-space, and that ,ronic tuning. We believe this challenge can be met through the inverse design of 1) lateral heterostructures coupled into 2) Tamm po,lariton structures employing high-mobility, broadly tunable polaritonic media that can be actively tuned through integration of 3) u,ltra-high polarization ferroelectric layers. We propose a three-year research program aimed at developing both static and dynamic pl,anar thermal emitters for user-defined spatial and spectral emission profiles. The effort is divided among the following three colla,borative tasks: i) Explore the achievable spectral control of in-plane invariant TPPs using an expanded material set within the aDBR,, including gradient index concepts. ii) Design and fabricate in-plane homojunctions of doped plasmonic planar thermal emitters with, controlled spatial and spectral coherence. iii) Utilize ultrahigh polarization ferroelectric thin films to actively control spectra,l and spatial emission of integrated 3D stacks. The impact of such developments upon Naval S&T promises to be disruptive. First, the, potential for fast-FE-based -modulation of simple Tamm-polariton-based thermal emitters offers significant opportunities for free-s, By integrating with a high degree of spatial coherence, true line-of-sight methodologies can be realized enabling advanced targetin,g and communications devices. Further, such devices promise significant advances in op-to electronic materials and device fabricatio,n, extending such cost-effective strategies to a broader range of systems. These collectively promise impacts within multiple Naval, S&T Focus Areas. Beyond the DoD, dual-use opportunities are also anticipated, from inclusion in industrial gas sensors, environment,al chemical and gas monitoring, and for consumer optoelectronics.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 14, 2022
- Source ID
- N000142212035
Entities
People
- Joshua Caldwell
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- Vanderbilt University