Brief Presentation

 

Project No: 213390
Staring date: June 1, 2008
Coordinating organization: Foundation for Research and Technolohy Hellas (FORTH) Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL)
Responsible group: Photonics, Phononics and Metamaterials group
Coordinating person:C. M. Soukoulis

Participating organizations:

Organization	Short-name	Country	Participating Institution/Group
Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas	FORTH	Greece	Institute of Electronic Structures and Laser, Photonics, Phononics and Metamaterials Group
Imperial College of Science, Technology & Medicine	Imperial	United Kingdom	Physics Dept., Condensed Matter Theory, Photonics Group
Bilkent University	Bilkent	Turkey	Dept. of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Nanotechnology Research Center
Universitat Karlsruhe (TH)	UniKarl	Germany	Institut fur Angewandte Physik

Abstract: Metamaterials are composite, man-made materials, composed of sub-wavelength metallic building blocks, which show novel and unique electromagnetic properties, not occurring in natural materials. A particularly important class of such materials is the negative refractive index metamaterials (NIM). NIM have been in the foreground of scientific interest in the last seven years. In 2006-2007 near infrared and optical frequencies were obtained, despite the initial objections and disbelief. However, many serious obstacles have to be overcome before the impressive possibilities of optical/photonic metamaterials (PMM) can become real applications. The present project identifies the main obstacles and proposes specific approaches to deal with them; in addition, it intends to study novel and unexplored capabilities of PMM. Specifically, the project objectives are (a) realization of 3D PMM, (b) reduction of losses in PMM, (c) realization of active and tunable/switchable (electrically or optically) PMM by incorporating gain or nonlinearity, and (d) realization of chiral PMM. The accomplishment of those objectives is both a theoretical and a technological challenge, as it requires proofs of concepts, advanced computational techniques and advanced nanofabrication approaches. To guide and test the proposed PMM development effort we have identified a number of important and ICT relevant demonstrators, which include thin-film optical isolators, electro-optic modulators, optical switching, and NIM-based "perfect lenses" in the infrared, and possibly in the visible. The implementation of the project will be done through combined theory/modeling, fabrication and experimental testing efforts, in continuous interaction. The broad theoretical and experimental expertise of the proposers, together with their field shaping past contributions to metamaterials, make them capable to face the challenges involved and to minimize the risk, ensuring the maximum possible success of the project.

Objectives: We have identified a number of ICT relevant demonstrations for guiding and testing the photonic metamaterials development effort. These include: (1) thin-film optical isolators, (2) electro-optic modulators, (3) optical switching, (4) NIM optical structures in the infrared, and possibly in the visible, that could be used as perfect lenses. The ultimate goal in standoff imaging is the realization of diffraction-free optical elements that can achieve perfect focusing of nanoscale sources and detectors located two focal lengths from the object. PMM may be the only root in achieving this goal. These goals will be achieved by keeping the losses low while extending the frequency of operation of PMM from the GHz to the infrared and beyond. These performance metrics in almost all cases exceed the state of the art. They require challenging fabrication processes, such as electron-beam lithography, focused-ion-beam writing, direct laser writing, holographic photolithography and reactive-ion etching, which our team has strong experience in these techniques. Our team has expertise, means and ideas to accomplish these tasks.

The objectives of the proposed effort are:
(a) Design and realization of 3d photonic metamaterials.
(b) Design and fabrication of chiral photonic metamaterials.
(c) Realization of active optical materials with incorporation of gain and nonlinearity into photonic metamaterials. Understanding and reducing the losses in photonic metamaterials.
(d) Achievement of electro-optic modulation via photonic metamaterials.

Work Packages (WPs):

WP1	Theory and modeling
WP2	Fabrication
WP3	Optical characterization and testing
WP4	Dissemination of the results
WP5	Consortium management