EPSRC - 3D Micro-optics in Self-Assembled Nanostructured Transparent Materials by Femtosecond Direct Writing

Ultrafast lasers enable the new technique of femtosecond direct optical writing for patterning micro- and nano-optical elements such as photonic crystals, waveguides and gratings in three dimensions, to provide entirely new functionalities.Three-dimensional photonic structures will allow dramatic increases in the scale of integration for of future optical information processing. They also open tantalising possibilities in the fields of micro-optics, micro- and nano-fluidics optical trapping, optical interconnetions and light field synthesis. We aim to provide a new tool and develop the associated technology for directly patterning 3D micro-optical free-space structures such as diffractive optical elements, berifrigent structures and optical waveguides deep within nano-structured transparent glass media. This proposal will explore the ultrafast physics of femtosecond photosensitivity and optimise the direct write of 3D photonic structures in particular exploiting our recent discovery of new regime of ultrashort pulse interaction with matter involving formation of self-assembled nanostructures. The spin-offs of this technology are nano-fluidics and 3D high-dense rewritable optical memory. The effort in this area worldwide is accelerating rapidly, ensuring a window for our research to have high impact. The proven ability of our group to control the intense ultrashort pulses, control the glass composition, and diagnose the multiphoton transformations give us a key edge in realizing this science and technology. International collaborations, in particular with Kyoto University, will continue.