This program focuses on emergent nanophotonic systems that manipulate light at sub-wavelength scales in order to control and ultimately generate light with orbital angular momentum, otherwise known as twisted light. This program addresses the challenge of combining plasmonic and surface phonon polariton materials with anisotropic structures to activate novel light-matter interactions. The proposed area of research has the potential to impact a broad range of applications, such as secure communications, high resolution imaging, and chemical sensing. Through these efforts, twisted light will bring novel functionalities to how light interacts with matter and provide a robust, scalable, and high-bandwidth toolbox paving the way for the expanding fields of nanophotonics and metamaterials.

Within our group we design, fabricate, characterize, and model novel nanophotonic systems for solar cells, IR detectors and emitters that span the visible through the far-infrared spectral regimes. To carry out this work, we are looking for an experimentalist to help facilitate in both fabrication and characterization processes. This will involve processing nanostructured materials using e-beam lithography; photolithography and 3D printing nanolithography (Nanoscribe) techniques; reactive ion etching; thin fil deposition processes, such as atomic layer deposition; e-beam evaporation; and sputtering, along with other standard fabrication processes. Characterization of the resulting nanostructures will include both structural and optical techniques, such as, atomic force microscopy, reflection, transmission, absorption measurements, ellipsometry, photoluminescence, Raman spectroscopies as well as scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy.

Nolde, Cleveland, et. al. “Temperature dependence of quantum efficiency enhancement using plasmonic gratings on nBn detectors with thin absorbers,” Journal of Nanophotonics 2019, 13(4).

Jackson, Cleveland, et. al. “Two-dimensional plasmonic grating for increased quantum efficiency in midwave infrared nBn detectors with thin absorbers,” Opt. Express 2018, 26(11).

Prokes, Cleveland, et. al. “Spoof-like plasmonic behavior of plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition grown Ag thin films,” APL 2012, 100(5), 053106.

key words

Orbital Angular Momentum; Twisted Light; Infrared; Plasmonic; Surface Phonon Polaritons; Photonics; Nanophotonics; Nanoscribe; Atomic Layer Deposition

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral applicants