SPP 1839: Tailored Disorder - A science- and engineering-based approach to materials design for advanced photonic applications - Subproject: Light-path engineering in disordered waveguiding systems

Basic data for this project

Type of project: Subproject in DFG-joint project hosted outside University of Münster
Duration: 01/10/2015 - 30/09/2018 | 1st Funding period

Description

Integrated nanophotonic circuits allow for realizing complex optical functionality in a compact and reproducible fashion through high-yield nanofabrication. Typically configured for single-mode operation in a single path, the optical propagation direction in such devices is determined by the waveguide layout which inherently requires smooth surfaces without scattering and restricts the device footprint to the limits of total internal reflection. By moving forward to multi-mode and multi-path designs in intentionally disordered waveguide structures, we will harness in-plane scattering effects to realize a new class of functional waveguiding devices. Through light-path engineering of free-standing dielectric membranes compact and broadband optical systems will be derived for operation in the classical and quantum regime. Our approach is based on multi-path interference, leading to the generation of wavelength dependent speckle patterns at the output of a tailored photonic nanostructure. By combining numerical design with integrated optical experimental verification, the interaction of light with disordered scattering centers will be investigated from a fundamental point to the application level. Using a scalable implementation that is suitable for analyzing classical optical interactions, as well as non-classical interference when moving to the single photon level, we will provide a complete understanding of photon transport in disordered quasi-planar media. Through integration with plasmonic components compact functional systems will be designed and fabricated on a chip. The joint use of metallic scattering and waveguiding structures will enable broadband optical operation with a minuscule footprint, while at the same time providing the ground for studying functional plasmonic systems in the quantum regime. In addition, metallic nanostructured free-standing devices will lead to strong interactions with metallized probes in the near-field, for instance, for realizing a sensitive testbed for the study of virtual photon exchange in the framework of Casimir interactions.The project thus successfully unites several emerging aspects of functional photonic component design in the classical and quantum regimes. Not only will the theoretical framework provide a fundamental understanding of the interplay between disordered matter and ballistic light transport, but also allow for engineering photonic systems with tailored disorder in a deterministic fashion. The combination with direct experimental verification compatible with the theoretical approach will thus generate a fruitful feedback loop to probe deep into the underlying physics of multi-path scattering in tailored matter. Studying classical, single-photon and virtual photon transport in a unified framework will provide a unique opportunity to harness previously unexplored optical degrees of freedom in next-generation photonic systems.

Keywords: Optics; Quantum Optics; Atoms; Molecules; Plasmas; nanophotonic