About the project
The project will focus on developing a new, adaptive meta-optical platform, combining micro-structured silicon with the tuneable layer made of liquid crystals for effective manipulation of near- and mid-infrared beams.
Meta-optical components based on silicon structured on a sub-wavelength scale and integrated with liquid crystals offers an exciting opportunity to explore and exploit intriguing light-matter interaction. Controlling and tuning the response of such systems with electric field will be pursued for beam manipulation and applications in quantum sensing.
Meta-surfaces, fabricated with sub-wavelength patterns have already led to several breakthrough applications from lensing, sensing to the control of quantum emission. The research will address an important challenge of making the meta-platform adaptive and tuneable using liquid crystals and photosensitive organic materials thus achieving an enhanced functionality and the speed of response.
The core of the work will be experimental with some elements of modelling and simulations to support the choice of materials and their optimisation. Large area metasurfaces will be designed and fabricated using our cleanrooms using techniques like lithography to define patterns of sub-micrometer in size and then characterised for their optical response. The selected liquid crystals will then be integrated to form an integrated platform and the beam manipulation functionality tested.
See the research groups websites for more information:
The School of Physics & Astronomy is committed to promoting equality, diversity inclusivity as demonstrated by our Athena SWAN award. We welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or age, and will give full consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities, and offers a range of benefits to help ensure employees’ well-being and work-life balance. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and has been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.
