Nano-optics is the branch of nanoscience and nanotechnology that deals with engineering and controlling optical fields on a scale that is smaller than the wavelength of light, i.e., that operates with nano-optical fields.
Nano Optics opens up exciting prospects for future scientific and technological developments, with potential applications ranging from information communication technologies, such as mobile phones, computers and internet, to bio-chemical and molecular sensing. In our Center for Nano Optics, we conduct research primarily in the field of plasmonics, with nano-optical fields being coupled to electron oscillations in metal nanostructures, a unique feature that allows one, for example, to combine optics and electronics.
Research Projects and Cooperation
Our principal research direction is concerned with the development of plasmonic waveguides and waveguide components that would allow one to drastically scale down photonic circuitry and decrease energy consumption in active components. We participated in the first European research project "Platon" that aims to use plasmonics in on-chip routing applications through merging plasmonics and silicon photonics technologies for efficient and fast data transfer. Since 2012, our research has also been part of the large European IP-project "PhoxTroT" that focuses on the development of optical interconnect components with high information capacity, low energy consumption and a competitive cost. These optical circuits will be used for data transfers in computer systems at multiple levels. The research work concerned with the above projects is conducted in close cooperation with leading European academic establishments and industrial partners.
Within Denmark, our research in plasmonics is supported by the FTP-project "Active Nano-Pasmonics (ANAP)", which deals with ultra-compact plasmonic interconnects and sensors, the FNU project “Optical metamaterials using detuned electrical dipoles” and the FTP project “Plasmonic metal nanostructures for thermophotovoltaics (PlasTPV)”.
Sergey I. Bozhevolnyi
Professor, Dr. Scient.
Phone: 6550 7341 / Mob: 2058 5128
E-mail: seib@iti.sdu.dk