Computational Nanophotonics

The research in the group of computational nanophotonics deals with the exploration of optical phenomena in nanostructured systems. They comprise materials that have significant spatial features that tend to be comparable to or being even much smaller than the wavelength. In our work we combine theoretical considerations with numerical simulations to provide unprecedented physical insights.

The unifying aspect of the relevant nanostructures is their ability to sustain a resonance. Such a resonance is required to observe interaction of light with nanostructures that significantly deviates from that of a homogenous medium. We distinguish between material resonances, where the material of the nanostructure needs to have a specific property, and geometrical resonances, where the nanostructures that form the system need to have a specific arrangement in space. Once a resonance is excited, the immediate observation is a strong enhancement of the near-field close to the nanostructure. This may occur even in spatial domains much smaller than the wavelength. Such a property makes it possible to overcome in perspective one of the largest obstacle that currently hinders the further integration of nanooptical devices, i.e., the resolution limit. In the far-field, the resonances can be traced by observing a sudden change in the share of reflected/transmitted or scattered light over a spectrally narrow domain. The possibility to tailor such resonances by suitable geometrical modifications permits to gain control over all properties of light propagation in a manner completely inaccessible with naturally available materials. Pivotal systems are plasmonic structures, photonic crystals, metamaterials and amorphous media.

To study highly efficient such systems, we also devote a great share of research towards the development of suitable numerical tools as well as to cultivate the use of large scale computational facilities. We aim to reach a point where computers are used to make genuine explorations which will provide guide lines for various experimental groups we are working with in close collaboration. Our research is not only focused on fundamental issues but also aims to translate this knowledge to applications for a broader benefit.

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