Topological Photonics and Structured Modes for Robust and Tailored Light-Matter Interactions
Abstract
We propose an innovative and ambitious basic-research program aiming to establish and significantly advance a scientific basis for light-matter interactions in photonic material architectures based on photonic topological insulators and structured light on the chip by integrating active and quantum materials components, such as nano-engineered low-dimensional and nano materials. PI and his group have 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 topological photonic 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 improved functionalities, which, due to the inherent topological and structured natureof modes in 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 active and quantum topological photonic devices, opening completely new pathways towards novelphotonics 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, quantum metrology, as well as in communications and nanophotonics applications.We will: (i) explore a variety of systems supporting topological phases of coupled light and matter, which will push the boundaries of topological physics beyond established photonic and condensed matter analogies; (ii) develop novel theoretical tools to capture unique and complex physics of active and polaritonic topological photonic systems, such as enhanced nonlinear effects, additional degrees of freedom stemming from polaritonic components, and other relevant quantum and multi-physics phenomena; (iii) develop new fabrication techniques to realize cost-effective, integrated, active and reconfigurable topological photonic systems and devices, and spanning a broad range 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 and characterization 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 push boundaries 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 quantummatter, significantly broadening the reach of our efforts. The unique synergy among diverse expertise in the PI#s 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 to our entire society.Approved forPublic Release
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Nov 08, 2024
- Source ID
- N000142412483
Entities
People
- Alexander B Khanikaev
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Central Florida Board of Trustees