Supervisor: Emiliano Descrovi
This topic involves the exploration of new concepts for the design and fabrication of active nanophotonic devices emitting structured light in single-photon regime. “Structured Light” is a general term referring to a large number of spatial configurations and arrangements in which an optical field can propagate through either bound or unbound media. The spatial degrees of freedom of electromagnetic fields can be exploited to investigate novel light-matter interactions or to convey optically-coded information. Among the big family of structured light fields, Vortex Beams (VB) represent an important instance of optical radiation carrying Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM), i.e. a vorticity, during propagation.
In this framework, monolithic nanophotonic devices for Structured Light emission in free-space, possibly operating in single-photon regime under optical pumping are highly desired for optical (quantum) communication applications. Specifically, the emission of VB with defined topological charge in free-space is considered.
The activity will be focused on the precise integration of Single-Photon (SP) sources such as colloidal quantum dots (qdots) and point-defects in hexagonal Boron Nitride (hBN) flakes on dielectric nanophotonic platform able to outcouple SP emission in free-space, with low divergence, high purity and an improved control on polarization and OAM at room temperature.
The activity requires knowledge on condensed matter physics, optics and nanotechnology and involves computational, nanofabrication and experimental work in collaboration with several national and international groups at the forefront of nanophotonics.