Objective
Planar photonic crystals are dielectric nanostructures that are pursued worldwide as a platform for integrated nanophotonic circuits. Such circuits will process signals coded in light and will consist of thousands of basic components such as resonant nanocavities. At present, unavoidable nanometer-scale disorder makes such large-scale integration impossible. Disorder causes the resonances of the nanocavities to shift randomly, resulting in Anderson localization, an interference effect that blocks the propagation of light. Anderson localization – predicted in 1958 by Nobel Prize winner Philip Anderson – is an intriguing scientific phenomenon as well as a serious threat to applications.
I propose to create adaptive nanophotonic systems. In these systems, I will use a spatially modulated light beam to modify the resonance frequency of each individual nanocavity. After adaptive tuning, the spatially structured light exactly counteracts the disorder and guides signals safely through the nanophotonic circuit. Effectively the signals will propagate in a perfect nanophotonic structure. As a second main innovation, I will employ an ultrafast structured light beam to write new, ordered and functional patterns into the circuit. This transformational technology will enable applications wherein optical circuits become fully programmable. The circuit will be modified dynamically in less time than that needed for a photon to pass through it. Spatial light modulators will enable us to address and control thousands of individual nanophotonic components.
Our dynamic and adaptive nanophotonic system will enable new technology, such as dynamically tunable delay lines, and open up new regimes of light propagation: the crossover regime of Anderson localization, ultraslow light that propagates scarcely faster than sound, and dynamic light propagation where the time dependence of the nanostructure drastically influences the flow of light.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
ERC-2011-StG_20101014
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Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Host institution
3584 CS Utrecht
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.