Objective This research project aims at building a common framework for photonic and meta-material /electronic devices. As specific examples, we will focus on making key advances for THz and mid-infrared emitters and detectors. Our goal is to demonstrate device functionalities which cannot be achieved within the current scientific/technological framework.We will implement these concepts on quantum cascade lasers, a family of devices whose potential has seen an explosion in the last few years. They cover the THz (1-10THz) and mid-infrared (10-100THz) ranges of the spectrum, of great importance for medical and environmental applications, and security screening. Their spectral location - between near-infrared and microwaves - makes them ideal candidates to profit from both worlds.We will first address a fundamental physical issue, then we’ll turn to device applications. While optical resonators are constrained to a minimum dimension set by the wavelength, a peculiar signature of an electronic oscillator is its independence from it. Our first goal is the demonstration of an optical oscillator/laser with the functionalities of an electronic oscillator, i.e. with fundamentally no lower size limit in the three dimensions of space. It will behave as a point-source of radiation.We will then focus on ground-breaking demonstrations in the THz and mid-infrared ranges of the spectrum: THz lasers which are frequency tuneable acting on a disentangled (electronic) section; electronically beam-steerable devices; antenna-coupled THz quantum detectors. The integration with MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) is also developed in the proposal. This project will also open up horizons and research opportunities on longer-term topics. We will develop strategies to compensate the ohmic losses of mid-IR meta-materials, in order to extend the developed concepts to mid-IR devices. Fields of science natural sciencesphysical sciencesopticslaser physics Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-SG-PE7 - ERC Starting Grant - Systems and communication engineering Call for proposal ERC-2012-StG_20111012 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant Host institution CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS EU contribution € 1 497 248,00 Address RUE MICHEL ANGE 3 75794 Paris France See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Jean-Jacques Guilleminot (Mr.) Principal investigator Raffaele Colombelli (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS France EU contribution € 1 497 248,00 Address RUE MICHEL ANGE 3 75794 Paris See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Jean-Jacques Guilleminot (Mr.) Principal investigator Raffaele Colombelli (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data