Periodic Reporting for period 1 - NOMISS (Nanomaterials for Infrared Silicon Photonics)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2022-12-01 do 2025-05-31
Printed opto-electronics based on solution processable colloidal semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) can make available a much-needed small footprint, low cost and flexible platform for optical sensing, imaging and spectroscopy in the technologically relevant short and mid-wave infrared (IR) spectrum (1.5 μm – 5 μm). However, while this revolution took place in the visible spectrum, and is happening at the side of detection for IR light, QD IR light source technology is currently expensive, lacking performance and is based on restricted chemical elements. Moreover, final device assemblies have large footprints, limiting their functionality in consumer devices requiring large scale deployment. In NOMISS, we will therefore explore a route towards ‘printable IR opto-electronics’ by developing a new class of solution-processable QDs based on non-restricted elements with efficient IR emission. We will study both their fundamental IR light-matter interactions, aimed at increasing light emission efficiency and the possibility to incorporate them with small-footprint photonic integrated circuits (PICs). To this end, the project will first extend the bottom-up chemical synthesis of tunable III-V In(As,Sb,P) QDs. Next, we will study their (non-)linear optical properties, using a novel ultrafast and broadband IR optical spectroscopy methodology, in particular focusing on the fundamental questions related to the QD’s organic/inorganic interface and how to optimize spontaneous & stimulated IR emission. Finally, a framework to combine these materals with silicon based PIC’s will be developed to realize cheap & small-footprint IR light sources, in particular optically pumped lasers. After NOMISS, the new cross-disciplinary and high-impact field of 'printable IR opto-electronics' will be available. To meet these high risk challenges, a multi-disciplinary team with experts in nanochemistry, nanophysics and nanophotonics engineering was assembled.
NOMISS is developing both new materials, new spectroscopy tools and new integration routines. In all these domains, we are pushing the limits of what was possible before. As highlighted above, several tasks in NOLIMITS revolved around such novel methods and have been expanded on in detail. To summarize, we can state:
1. Work Package 1. Novel growth protocols for large ‘bulk-like’ PbS nanocrsytals using coalescence growth, and similarly for InAs and InSb nanocrystals. On-going collaborations with international groups (see further).
2. Work Package 2 Construction of an infrared spectroscopy platform capable of detecting light emission and transient absorption from solutions across the 1000 – 10.000 nm wavelength range.
3. Work Package 3 A fully automated integrated setup to detect infrared light emission from miniaturized photonic circuits and the nanophotonic processing flow to build miniaturized photonic crystals in silicon(nitride) active in the infrared.
1. Work Package 1. Novel growth protocols for large ‘bulk-like’ PbS nanocrsytals using coalescence growth, and similarly for InAs and InSb nanocrystals. On-going collaborations with international groups (see further).
2. Work Package 2 Construction of an infrared spectroscopy platform capable of detecting light emission and transient absorption from solutions across the 1000 – 10.000 nm wavelength range.
3. Work Package 3 A fully automated integrated setup to detect infrared light emission from miniaturized photonic circuits and the nanophotonic processing flow to build miniaturized photonic crystals in silicon(nitride) active in the infrared.