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Experimental determination of the paraxial-vectorial limit of light-matter interactions

Project description

Round and round it goes: studies of chirality and interactions between light and matter

While many people have a vague recollection from high school chemistry of the concept of chirality as it relates to molecules, the notion that light can also be chiral would likely induce blank stares. In fact, light has both angular momentum and chirality. Angular momentum can be used to directionally route light into nanophotonic circuits, whereas optical chirality can be harnessed to discriminate between chiral molecules. The intriguing interplay between angular momentum and its application to light-matter interactions is the focus of the EU-funded LIGHTMATT-EXPLORER project. The team plans to characterise nanostructures according to the type of light-matter interaction taking place and create a look-up table for classifying nanostructures in the future.

Objective

The aim of this proposal is to study the transition between the scalar an vectorial regimes of light-matter interactions and show that its knowledge can be used to create a chirality-discriminating device. For that, the scalar-vectorial transition will be studied for three conceptually different nanostructures. The study will be carried out with a technique developed by the ER: vortex beam-induced circular dichroism. The findings of the study will be given by means of three look-up-tables, one for each kind of nanostructure. These look-up-tables will allow any light-scientist working with similar nanostructures to identify the regime (scalar/vectorial) in which their light-matter interactions are taking place. The results of this project will improve our fundamental understanding of light-matter interactions. This knowledge will add a new dimension into the characterization of complex 2D and 3D nanostructures. To show the potential of this characterization, at the end of the project we will use the look-up-table of a 3D plasmonic vortex to design a device that efficiently discriminates the chirality of molecules.
The project has all the ideal elements to fulfill its goals. On one hand, the ER is already a scientific expert in light-matter interactions at the nanoscale. On the other hand, the Plasmon Nanotechnologies group at IIT, with its world-class laboratories and clean rooms provides an extraordinary scientific environment for the ER to develop his career path. In particular, it is expected that the ER learns many different nanofabrication techniques. Thus, thanks to this action, the ER will become a preeminent scientist with a unique set of skills combining nanofabrication, optical manipulation/measurements and simulations/theoretical work. This will place him in an advantageous position to become a world leader in nano-optics. The supervision and expertise of Dr. De Angelis will ensure that these goals are reached.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2017

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Coordinator

FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 180 277,20
Address
VIA MOREGO 30
16163 Genova
Italy

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Region
Nord-Ovest Liguria Genova
Activity type
Research Organisations
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Total cost

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.

€ 180 277,20
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