IdRW 2014: Future trends in Metamaterials and Silicon Photonics Event

Future trends in Metamaterials and Silicon Photonics

Speakers: Professor Graham Reed and Professor Nikolay Zheludev with introduction from Professor Shinichi Saito

Optical Properties on Demand: From Metamaterials to Metadevices

Professor Nikolay Zheludev, Optoelectronics Research Centre

Metamaterials, artificial electromagnetic media achieved by structuring on the subwavelength scale, were initially suggested as negative index material for the "superlens" and for transforming electromagnetic space to control propagation of waves in applications such as the "electromagnetic cloak". The research agenda is now shifting to achieving tunable, switchable, nonlinear, gain and sensing functionalities using metamaterials. We show how engaging the changing balance of forces, structural transformation, light confinement and coherent effects at the nanoscale brings about the emerging field of metadevices that we define as devices with unique and useful on-demand functionalities achieved by structuring of functional matter on the sub wavelength scale.

Silicon Photonics

Professor Graham Reed, Optoelectronic Research Centre

Silicon Photonics was seen a technology for "short reach" communications links, but now a plethora of other applications are emerging.  The technology is seen as the most likely candidate for inter-chip and perhaps intra-chip communications, but also for use in data centre interconnect, fibre to the home transceivers, and as a platform for lab-on-a chip sensors.  The field has made dramatic progress in the last 5 years, to the extent that commercialisation is now inevitable.  This talk will introduce the technology as well as discussing some of the work being carried out at Southampton.

Refreshments will be available at this event.