Objective With the dramatic advances in micro- and nano-fabrication methods, we are presented with the opportunity to control light in a way that was not possible with the materials provided to us by nature. In an artificial pattern of sub-wavelength elements, the propagation of electromagnetic energy can be defined by an equivalent spatial and spectral dispersion of effective dielectric and magnetic properties. Transformation optics (TO) is a new paradigm for the science of light, which is enabled by recent developments in our fabrication capabilities with respect to metamaterial-based devices. TO is based on the invariance of Maxwell’s equations with respect to coordinate transformations, provided that the basic optical parameters of materials, dielectric permittivity ε(r) and magnetic permeability µ(r), are also transformed appropriately. This makes possible molding and controlling light on all scales, from macroscopic sizes down to the deeply sub-wavelength scale. My project aims to study the fundamentals of the emerging area of TO through the use of novel metamaterial-based devices. These photonic elements hold the promise for establishing new paradigms in integrated photonics by enabling an unprecedented control of light. We will develop both the simulation tools and the fabrication processes for creating a new-generation of planar magnifying hyperlenses and light concentrators. While the first components are fundamentally useful in order to image below the diffraction limit, the latter can be revolutionary for boosting photovoltaic cell efficiency. Following these goals, during the last part of our experimental campaign, our devices will be incorporated in two home-made set-ups; one for the evaluation of the photo-electric efficiency, and the second for the imaging of biological sample carrying sub-wavelength features. Finally, both these two experimental set-ups will be tested and characterized while the figure of merit of our devices will be evaluated. Fields of science natural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsnatural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwaresoftware applicationssimulation software Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IOF - Marie Curie Action: "International Outgoing Fellowships for Career Development" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IOF See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IOF - International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF) Coordinator HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY EU contribution € 272 311,58 Address Riccarton EH14 4AS Edinburgh United Kingdom See on map Region Scotland Eastern Scotland Edinburgh Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Eva Olszewska-Day (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Participants (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all UNIVERSITY OF YORK Participation ended United Kingdom EU contribution € 22 381,42 Address HESLINGTON YO10 5DD York North Yorkshire See on map Region Yorkshire and the Humber North Yorkshire York Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact David Lauder (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
