Phase-Change Light Modulator Metadevices
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Southampton
Department Name: Optoelectronics Research Ctr (closed)
Abstract
Chalcogenide alloys such as Ge:Sb:Te (GST) have properties that are widely compositionally controllable, which moreover can be switched in non-volatile fashion by external (optical or electronic) stimuli between physical states with markedly different refractive indices, conductivities, etc. Such materials underpin optical data storage technologies (rewritable CDs/DVDs), and have played a significant recent role in (nano)photonics and photonic metamaterials research as 'active media', delivering a variety of tuneable, reconfigurable, and nonlinear optical functionalities based upon the large change in refractive index between their amorphous and crystalline states. This project will focus on the realization of novel chalcogenide metamaterial electro-/all-optical switching and memory devices.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Nikolay Zheludev (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Tiberius Georgescu (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509747/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2021 | |||
| 1953555 | Studentship | EP/N509747/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2018 | Tiberius Georgescu |
| Description | I worked on this project between 25 September 2017 and 25 September 2018. Since 2018 another doctoral candidate is probably following this subject. However, in the year that I did research the theme, I found that cantilevers coated with a certain material can be deflected, in a controllable manner, via the electron beam of a Scanning Electron Microscope. Because the results have not yet been published, I can not disclose further details. I think that the finding is useful in at least the following ways: - for enhancing the versatility of the Scanning Electron Microscope, from an observational tool to one that also allows mechanical control via the electron beam of a certain type of materials and of nano-structures, in a manner not unlike that in which an optical microscope can be used to also manipulate samples, with adequate illumination; - because the degree of deflection of the cantilevers is controllable, they could be used as 'fixed' light modulators, in a manner similar to that of the conventional Spatial Light Modulators. I am grateful to the funding body, The EPSRC, and The Metamaterials group within The Optoelectronics Research Centre for allowing me the opportunity to study the interaction of nano-structures with electrons and light. Even though I am now working on a different project, I am in close dialogue with Prof. MacDonald about concluding our collaboration in the form of an article. |
| Exploitation Route | What I found could enhance the versatility of the Scanning Electron Microscope, from an observational tool to one that also allows mechanical control via the electron beam of a certain type of materials and of nano-structures. Also, because the degree of deflection of the cantilevers is controllable, they could be used as 'fixed' light modulators, in a manner similar to that of the conventional Spatial Light Modulators. |
| Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Other |