Project description
Light-based information fluxes manipulated by robust topological soft matter structures
Fibre optic data transmission exploiting the photon as the information carrier rather than the electron has revolutionised the way we do business and our ability to process ever-increasing amounts of data in record time. Being an integral part of consumers' high-speed internet, it is one of the most well-known achievements of the field of photonics (the study of the generation, transmission, manipulation and detection of light). Going beyond state-of-the-art solid materials for photonics applications, the EU-funded OPTOSOL project is investigating novel light-matter interactions in so-called 'topological soft materials', fluid-like materials which embed robust structures allowing the manipulation of the flow of light at the microscopic scale.
Objective
In our ever-growing digital world, finding fast and efficient ways of manipulating and transmitting information unlocks the possibility to implement more efficient business models (using big data, cloud computing, deep learning...). Amidst a number of concurrent fields (electronics, spintronics, amtronics...) photonics aims to address this technological need by exploring novel means for the generation, transmission, manipulation and detection of light. In this proposal, we want to develop a new research direction by combining knowledge from photonics and topological soft matter to find novel ways of guiding light using chiral birefringent media. The non-linear optical response of these media allows a laser beam to be self-confined and to propagate over long distances, leading to what is called spatial optical solitons. Our primary objective is to develop a complete model of optical solitons in chiral birefringent media and examine how these light solitons can be steered and controlled using topological solitons — localized and tunable perturbations of the molecular orientational field which cannot be continuously deformed into the uniform state. Our methodology will be based on the theoretical and numerical modeling of the non-linear equations for the propagation of light in chiral birefringent media, combined with collaborative experiments. This fellowship is designed to include an excellent training both on scientific skills (mainly photonics and topology, for which the expertise of the host group will be essential) and transferable skills such as leadership, project and data management, intellectual property rights, etc. The training that I will receive on photonics — a major field both in the academic and industry sector — will also provide a significant boost on my career prospects.
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.
- natural sciences computer and information sciences data science big data
- natural sciences physical sciences condensed matter physics soft matter physics
- natural sciences mathematics pure mathematics topology
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics spintronics
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence machine learning deep learning
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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.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF
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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) H2020-MSCA-IF-2018
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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.
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia
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.