Periodic Report Summary 1 - QUOMATERS (Plasmonics of Quantum Materials: from surface plasmon condensation to quantum metamaterials)
The overall goal of the QUOMATERS project is the exploitation of quantum materials for nanophotonic and optoelectronic devices. Quantum materials have properties that emerge from the interaction between their constituent units. In particular, the project explores two parallel routes that rely either on ensembles of quantum emitters or on novel solid-state materials, respectively, to harness their unique properties for light-matter interaction at the nanoscale.
In relation to the first route based on ensembles of quantum emitters, the project has already resulted in a demonstration of strong light-matter coupling between silicon nanoantennas and molecular aggregates. Spectral splitting resulting from the interaction of both narrow resonators has been observed and quantified through experiments and simulations, therefore demonstrating that strong coupling can effectively modify the optoelectronic properties of a material.
Regarding the second route based on novel solid-state systems, the project has studied the coupling of spins and plasmons by using transition metal dichalcogenides. Through simulations and experiments, spin-polarized light emission was coupled to plasmonic waveguide modes propagating in different directions. This provides a new way to bridge spintronics and nanophotonics, two promising technologies for the next generation of information processing.
Additionally, during the project phase at the outgoing host institution, the researcher in the project also contributed to related efforts in semiconductor-based nanophotonics and in layered semiconductors, expanding the impact of the project.
The final part of the project will be devoted to study light emission by many-emitter systems and on further exploiting the links between spins and plasmons offered by novel quantum materials. Both approaches to quantum materials for plasmonics will result in novel resources for the design of classical and quantum nanophotonic devices.
In relation to the first route based on ensembles of quantum emitters, the project has already resulted in a demonstration of strong light-matter coupling between silicon nanoantennas and molecular aggregates. Spectral splitting resulting from the interaction of both narrow resonators has been observed and quantified through experiments and simulations, therefore demonstrating that strong coupling can effectively modify the optoelectronic properties of a material.
Regarding the second route based on novel solid-state systems, the project has studied the coupling of spins and plasmons by using transition metal dichalcogenides. Through simulations and experiments, spin-polarized light emission was coupled to plasmonic waveguide modes propagating in different directions. This provides a new way to bridge spintronics and nanophotonics, two promising technologies for the next generation of information processing.
Additionally, during the project phase at the outgoing host institution, the researcher in the project also contributed to related efforts in semiconductor-based nanophotonics and in layered semiconductors, expanding the impact of the project.
The final part of the project will be devoted to study light emission by many-emitter systems and on further exploiting the links between spins and plasmons offered by novel quantum materials. Both approaches to quantum materials for plasmonics will result in novel resources for the design of classical and quantum nanophotonic devices.