Objective
The main objective of this project is to design optical switches with a response time < 5 ps, a switching energy < 1 fJ/bit and compatibility with silicon technology to excel in high-speed data processing at low heat dissipation. This will be pursued by combining the chemistry of inorganic, nanocrystalline colloids and organic semiconductor molecules to fabricate thin films of organic-inorganic hybrid nanostructures. Optical switches play a pivotal role in modern data processing based on silicon photonics, where they control the interface between photonic optical fibers used for data transmission and electronic processing units for computing. Data transfer across this interface is slow compared to that in optical interconnects and high-speed silicon transistors, such that faster optical switching accelerates the overall speed of data processing of the system as a whole. By modifying the surface of the inorganic nanocrystals with conductive molecular linkers and self-assembly into macroscopic solid state materials, new electronic and photonic properties arise due to charge transfer at the organic/inorganic interface. The multiple optical resonances in these hybrid materials result in strong optoelectronic interactions with external light beams, which are exploited for converting photonic into electronic signals at unprecedented speed. A key concept here is an activated absorption mechanism, in which the nanocrystals act as sensitizers with short-lived excited states, which are activated by a first optical pump beam. Efficient charge transfer at the organic/inorganic interface temporarily creates additional resonances in the molecular linkers, which may be probed by a second optical beam for as long as the sensitizer is in its excited state. Utilizing nanocrystals with excited state lifetimes < 5ps will reward ultrafast response times to pave the way for novel optical switches and high-speed data processing rates for silicon photonics.
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: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology materials engineering fibers
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials nanocrystals
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics semiconductivity
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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.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
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.
ERC-STG - Starting Grant
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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.
(opens in new window) ERC-2018-STG
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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.
72074 Tuebingen
Germany
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.