2D polaritons for optoelectronic devices and networks
Lead Research Organisation:
UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
The rate of information growth corresponds to an annual increase of 19%, reaching 100 zettabytes by the end of 2022, and novel optoelectronic tools are required for fast information processing. With perpetual generation and flow of information around, increasing the bit rates of devices that process information is imperative for sustainable future. Typically, optical signals - photons - are sent over fibre links, and that is how majority of internet traffic flows. However, photons do not interact with each other, unless they couple to a medium in which they propagate. One way to act is converting light into electronic signals, and processing signals with conventional electronics. However, in this case Ohmic losses reduce energy efficiency and processing speed is defined by electronic timescales. A distinct way to process light relies on strong light-matter coupling. When photons are coupled strongly to optical transitions and particles in semiconductors, they become hybrid light-matter particles - polaritons. Polaritons acquire nonlinearity and allow for information processing in an all-optical way. The efficiency of this process largely depends on many-body properties on materials used for building optical devices.
The project aims to develop a distinct family of optoelectronic devices by exploiting many-body interactions in semiconducting bilayers. Recent results show a highly nonlinear polaritonic response in systems of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) when these 2D materials are doped with excessive charge (for instance, free electrons). In bilayer geometry, they reveal a zoo of various intralayer and interlayer quasiparticles based on bound electron-hole pairs correlated with electrons. By coupling these quasiparticles to light, we expect that strong coupling merged with many-body interactions will lead to game-changing increase of polaritonic nonlinearity. However, accessing this physics requires developing new theoretical tools that can capture strong correlations in such a system. Many other properties needed for building polaritonic circuits and processing units are yet to be explored.
In the project, we aim to develop a theoretical description of 2D polaritons in transition metal dichalcogenides and propose blueprints for optoelectronic devices that use polaritonic many-body interactions. Our project is structured around three objectives.
1. We will develop a theoretical description of nonlinear response in doped TMDC bilayers in order to characterise many-body interactions of 2D polaritons.
2. We will study nontrivial transport properties of doped TMDC bilayers to design polaritonic circuits based on many-body interactions.
3. We will use highly nonlinear polaritonic lattices in TMDC heterobilayers to develop polaritonic computational networks.
As a result, we will develop the background for future 2D polaritonic devices based on highly nonlinear bilayer systems.
The project aims to develop a distinct family of optoelectronic devices by exploiting many-body interactions in semiconducting bilayers. Recent results show a highly nonlinear polaritonic response in systems of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) when these 2D materials are doped with excessive charge (for instance, free electrons). In bilayer geometry, they reveal a zoo of various intralayer and interlayer quasiparticles based on bound electron-hole pairs correlated with electrons. By coupling these quasiparticles to light, we expect that strong coupling merged with many-body interactions will lead to game-changing increase of polaritonic nonlinearity. However, accessing this physics requires developing new theoretical tools that can capture strong correlations in such a system. Many other properties needed for building polaritonic circuits and processing units are yet to be explored.
In the project, we aim to develop a theoretical description of 2D polaritons in transition metal dichalcogenides and propose blueprints for optoelectronic devices that use polaritonic many-body interactions. Our project is structured around three objectives.
1. We will develop a theoretical description of nonlinear response in doped TMDC bilayers in order to characterise many-body interactions of 2D polaritons.
2. We will study nontrivial transport properties of doped TMDC bilayers to design polaritonic circuits based on many-body interactions.
3. We will use highly nonlinear polaritonic lattices in TMDC heterobilayers to develop polaritonic computational networks.
As a result, we will develop the background for future 2D polaritonic devices based on highly nonlinear bilayer systems.
Organisations
- UNIVERSITY OF EXETER (Lead Research Organisation)
- University of Sheffield (Collaboration)
- Cornell University (Collaboration)
- Polytechnic University of Milan (Collaboration)
- Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg (Collaboration)
- Nanyang Technological University (Collaboration)
- University of Warsaw (Collaboration)
People |
ORCID iD |
| Oleksandr Kyriienko (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Louca C
(2023)
Interspecies exciton interactions lead to enhanced nonlinearity of dipolar excitons and polaritons in MoS2 homobilayers.
in Nature communications
Makhonin M
(2024)
Nonlinear Rydberg exciton-polaritons in Cu2O microcavities
in Light: Science & Applications
Makhonin M
(2024)
Nonlinear Rydberg exciton-polaritons in Cu$_2$O microcavities
Song K
(2024)
Microscopic theory of nonlinear phase space filling in polaritonic lattices
in Physical Review Research
Related Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Award Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/X017222/1 | 01/03/2023 | 31/12/2024 | £202,250 | ||
| EP/X017222/2 | Transfer | EP/X017222/1 | 01/01/2025 | 31/10/2025 | £43,815 |
| Description | First, motivated by developing optoelectronic devices based on optical nonlinearity, we have developed a theory of nonlinear phase space filling for 2D polaritons with arbitrary strength of excitation (paper is now accepted by Physical Review Research). This has supported the understanding of homobilayers we proposed for the collaborative work (Sheffield; Nat. Comm.) and recent study of fast optoelectronic switches developed by Cerullo lab (Milano, to be submitted). Another collaborative work with Germany and Singapore builds on our theory now in the pulsed regime, where we simulated nonlinear dynamical effects. Second, bypassing the limitations from materials with exchange-dominated interactions, we have developed understanding on nonlinear properties for materials with strong Rydberg-induced interactions and light-matter coupling in those systems. This has also been confirmed in the recent major work with Dortmund, Sheffield, and St Andrews. With the experimental and theoretical studies of ultrafast switching with Milan and Sheffield have shown the route to polaritonic processing. This is now in the publication process as Nature Comm. We are continuing this research as a polaritonic machine learning in the time domain. In the second half of the project we concentrated on extending our capabilities of performing nonlinear operations with different materials. We have submitted works with Oldenburg for perovskites and CrSBr, showing world-first result on polariton condensation there. Finally, we have a range of polaritonic machine learning approaches that are prepared and summarised in publications to be submitted. |
| Exploitation Route | The theory of nonlinear phase space filling represents a versatile tool for describing modern experiments, and we have shared this with the community (e.g. extensively discussed during EPIC23 and CRISTMAS23). The developed mathematical framework has formed the basis for dynamical effects and thus -- development of optoelectronic devices. The results on nonlinear saturation (presented at ICSCE 12 Dublin) are being used in describing various polaritonic systems. Finally, our works on polaritonic machine learning have informed other groups and suggested new direction in terms of graph analysis. |
| Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Electronics |
| Description | One impact of the given proposal concerns development of policies and shaping the future of developing optical and quantum devices in the UK. This was achieved through participating in the panel discussions (Torbay Hi-Tech Cluster in photonics) and participation in the prioritisation panel. Second, the development of background polaritonic devices has urged me to participate in several events related to sensing (as a promising avenue for applications of 2D polaritons) and, specifically, sensing for the defence sector (FS &PNT, Nottingham 2023). While the impact is yet to be estimated, it is an important motivation for the future research. This has continued in 2024 with more engagement structured around photonic and polaritonic machine learning. Beyond academic collaborations (Warsaw, Cornell) this extended to meeting and PML discussions with Lumai (Oxford) and Microsoft labs (Cambridge), informing their decisions on the use of nonlinearity in photonic machine learning. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2023 |
| Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Communities and Social Services/Policy,Electronics |
| Impact Types | Policy & public services |
| Description | Serving as a panel member for prioritisation of fellowships and new investigator awards |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | Quantum digital twins for quantum dynamics based on hardware-tailored tensor networks |
| Amount | £303,298 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/Y005090/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2023 |
| End | 03/2025 |
| Description | Standard Grant call by EPSRC (consortium) |
| Amount | £1,079,471 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/Y021339/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2024 |
| End | 02/2027 |
| Title | Data for Nonlinear Rydberg exciton-polaritons in Cu2O microcavities |
| Description | Experimental data for the Light: Science & Applications article "Nonlinear Rydberg exciton-polaritons in Cu2O microcavities" |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2024 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | We have compiled a dataset for nonlinear properties of polaritons in Cu2O and corresponding theoretical model for nonlinearity (n2 coefficient). |
| URL | https://orda.shef.ac.uk/articles/dataset/Data_for_Nonlinear_Rydberg_exciton-polaritons_in_Cu2O_micro... |
| Title | Data for Nonlinear Rydberg exciton-polaritons in Cu2O microcavities |
| Description | Experimental data for the Light: Science & Applications article "Nonlinear Rydberg exciton-polaritons in Cu2O microcavities" |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2024 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | We have helped preparing and analysing the experimental dataset for nonlinear properties of polaritons in Cu2O. |
| URL | https://orda.shef.ac.uk/articles/dataset/Data_for_Nonlinear_Rydberg_exciton-polaritons_in_Cu2O_micro... |
| Description | Collaboration with Cerullo group at Politecnico di Milano, Italy |
| Organisation | Polytechnic University of Milan |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I have teamed up with the group of Prof Giulio Cerullo working on 2D materials and pump-probe spectroscopy. Specifically, I have developed a theory to describe fast switching in bilayer systems that are required for optoelectronic devices and neuromorphic computing. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The group of Prof Cerullo has hosted me during the visit (while giving a talk at Polimi). We have discussed the combination of their experiment and our theory, and have now established excellent working relations. |
| Impact | We have published one Nature Comm. paper together and have completed another joint work on 2D optoelectronic devices to be submitted to Nature Photonics. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Collaboration with Liew group (NTU, Singapore) |
| Organisation | Nanyang Technological University |
| Department | School of Physics and Mathematical Sciences |
| Country | Singapore |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Thanks to the invited talk at EPIC and visit to Singapore we have re-started the collaboration with the group of Prof Timothy C H Liew. The subjects include 2D materials and nonlinear response, with research coming from the works published during the NI and NH projects. |
| Collaborator Contribution | We have started several projects, specifically those that include squeezing in polariton systems. The progress depends on experiments, and currently we are analysing available data with machine learning techniques. |
| Impact | There are several projects in the pipeline that combine optics (physics) and machine learning (computer science). |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Collaboration with McMahon lab at Cornell University (Ithaca, NY, US) |
| Organisation | Cornell University |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I have started the interaction with Prof McMahon in several domains, including both photonic machine learning and quantum machine learning. We are in the process of shaping collaborative ideas, and I'm visiting the lab with extended stay soon (incl. the talk there). |
| Collaborator Contribution | McMahon lab provides their world-leading expertise in physics-based machine learning methods. |
| Impact | So far it is in the early stages, but we have been supported with partner letters and are working towards shared projects. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Collaboration with Pietka/Matuszewski groups at the University of Warsaw |
| Organisation | University of Warsaw |
| Country | Poland |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have started a collaboration on polaritonic machine learning. Warsaw group is currently developing devices based on perovskites, and we have developed the theory for nonlinear operations. Our aim is to use proposals for nonlinear propagation to change the way polaritonic machine learning models are formulated. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The contributions to date are ideas for the combined polaritonic computing setups that are capable of solving nontrivial tasks. Our contributions are on the ML side, including the ideas for graph-based learning, and on the Warsaw team's side this corresponds to experimental setups. |
| Impact | We have started discussions during the Hybrid Photonics and Materials conference (HPM2024), and followed up with a visit to Poland. So far we are converging on the ideas for experiment + theory proposals. This is a multidisciplinary research that involves both physics and AI as disciplines. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Collaboration with Schneider group at the University of Oldenburg |
| Organisation | Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have developed time-dependent theory of saturation for this collaborations, and now discussing various project for 2D materials. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners have contributed experimental results and expertise to the joint collaboration, and crucial insights into building the theory. |
| Impact | One of the outputs is the invitation to Oldenburg for giving a talk and extending research, and the paper to be submitted soon. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Collaboration with Tartakovskii group at the University of Sheffield |
| Organisation | University of Sheffield |
| Department | Sheffield Biorepository |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I have started to collaborate with Sheffield teams before coming to the UK, but thanks to the New Horizons grant we have shaped it into much wider effort. Spefically, in this case we have developed a theory for nonlinear processes in homobilayers of MoSe2 and Rydberg excitons in Cu2O. Team and myself have managed to explain experimental results for nonlinear process that underpin the future optoelectronic and quantum devices based on this platform. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The group of Prof Tartakovskii has performed experiments guided by our theory, and confirmed fast and strong nonlinear processes based on phase space filling. We have regular in-person meetings on average twice a year, and regular videocalls to continue the collaboration, |
| Impact | The collaboration resulted into 2 major works (Nature Comm. and Light: Sci. & Appl.), with one more Nature-portfolio submission to be out soon. It has led to the public event on quantum tech commercialisation (Oct 2023), and numerous scientific talks. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Title | Code for Nonlinear Rydberg exciton-polaritons in Cu2O microcavities |
| Description | code for the Light: Science & Applications article "Nonlinear Rydberg exciton-polaritons in Cu2O microcavities" |
| Type Of Technology | Software |
| Year Produced | 2024 |
| Impact | Nonlinear optics requires robust methods for benchmarking the strength of nonlinearity. We have developed a package that can convert interaction constants and specific nonlinear saturation processes into a standard nonlinear refractivity (known as n2 coefficient). |
| URL | https://orda.shef.ac.uk/articles/software/Code_for_Nonlinear_Rydberg_exciton-polaritons_in_Cu2O_micr... |
| Description | Community discussions at HPM 2024 at Syros |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | After the invited talk at HPM 2024 (Syros) on polaritonic machine learning we have collected a group of researchers that are interested in the subject and brainstormed the future of the field. The crucial part concerned understanding limitations and the need to hybridize polaritonic capabilities with existing classical (digital) approaches. This is a continuing discussion with peers that we are following up. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Community pulse check @ EPIC2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | During the EPIC 2023 event in Singapore I have run a pulse check for the polaritonic community asking a question: "Where do we go from now in terms of making polaritonic research impactful?" This has triggered a week-long discussions with peers who shared opinions, and converged on the idea that polaritonic computing and quantum polaritonics are the two most-rewarding big goals to be followed. The Polish group of Barbara Pietka has invited me to Warsaw to follow up on the discussions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Conference on Research and Innovations in Science and Technology of Materials 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I have presented our advances and project's work during the CRISTMAS conference in Paris. This has led to follow up discussions with researchers from Trinity College Dublin (invitation to contribute research to the new quantum tech journal) and arranged visit to the University of Bath for the general colloquium. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Connecting with potential industrial partners at 'Commercialising Quantum' by The Economist |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | I have participated at the third 'Commercialising Quantum', connecting with colleagues from various industries, discussing our research, and ways for potential collaborations. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://events.economist.com/commercialising-quantum/agenda/ |
| Description | Invited talk at EPIC 2023 in Singapore (top year's conference in polaritonics) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I have presented our results on the project to the core audience in polaritonics that included major groups active in the field. The dissemination led to 1 paper we are finishing with Germany/Singapore consortium, invitation to Poland (Warsaw) and Germany (Oldenburg) for discussing polaritonic computing, and joint project with another German group (Wuerzburg) on bilayers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Participating at Commercializing Quantum 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | I have participated in the second edition Commercializing Quantum by The Economist, engaging in the discussions with businesses, investors, and researchers in the area. This has helped to promote the importance of optical computing as a part of the wider strategy to sustainable AI and generated follow ups. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Participating at the Future Sensing and PNT symposium 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I have conducted the use-case search and discussions for polaritonic and QML defence applications. Discussed with top defence sector representatives and supplies the challenges. Contributed to discussion groups on quantum tech, and followed up with plans for potential spinning out. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Participation in the UK National Quantum Technologies Showcase 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | I have joined the NQTS 2023, engaging with the discussions on promising applications of theory and algorithms that we develop. Specifically, I have conducted the survey for applications (market research) in quantum and optical sensing, connecting with a wide range of hardware, midstack, and software providers in the quantum area. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Presentating the vision of polaritonic computing at the Torbay HiTech Cluster event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The event has combined photonics industry representatives active in the regional hub, and the students from Torbay area looking forward to join the sector. The specific area of photonic computing and its quantum applications has sparked the interest to the subject. This has ultimately led to including the very same subject as a priority for the department in Exeter. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Reviewing the state-of-the-art in nonlinear polaritonics in the talk at Politecnico di Milano |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | I have presented our research, conducted the lab tours, and brainstormed new ideas with peers at Polimi. We have started the collaboration that now results into new optoelectronic devices based on the theory developed in the project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | TED talk "Living both worlds: academia and industry" delivered to a broad audience at the University of Sheffield |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | I have discussed and shared good practices of interacting with businesses as an academic who regularly works on indeustrially-led projects. This has covered both research in quantum computing and quantum optics. The event has sparked the discussion among PhD graduates on ways to contribute to the future of quantum industry, and converted in 10+ LinkedIn connection and private messages asking for the advice. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |