Nanosystems for the information technologies and industry
Photonic nanocomposite media
Growth and synthesis of nanocomposite structures designed to exhibit advanced photonic functionalities leading to information optical systems. Typical structures comprise inorganic or polymer matrices enriched with active nanoparticles, from metal clusters to salt complexes and quantum dots. Fundamental interactions in the micro- and nano-scale environment, especially involving effects at the nano-entity/matrix interfaces allow novel, advanced functionalities, not available by any other means, to be realized. Multilayered and interface tailored structures offer enhanced response due to their interferometric and diffractive character. Refractive and plasmonic effects are fruitfully blended to result in enhanced linear and nonlinear optical responses.
Our research approaches are developing on a framework of parallel actions comprising not only design and fabrication, but proceeding to understanding of phenomena and their functional exploitation towards fundamentally new device concepts. Specific examples include nanocomposites for photonic sensing of the environment, and nonlinear and plasmonic effects in hybrid nanostructures.
TPCI Staff
Researchers: N.Vainos, S.Pispas, G.Mousdis
Research Associates: A. Meristoudi
Graduate Students: L. Athanasekos, M.Vasileiadis
Collaborations
Support
EU-IST NANOPHOS
GSRT PENED NYVRIPHOS
Contact Prof. Nikos Vainos
National Hellenic Research Foundation-NHRF/TPCI
Photonic Media Laboratory
48, Vass. Constantinou Ave.
Athens 11635
Greece
Light induced material organization and structuring
The above concepts provide enhanced effects if combined with material and property geometrical manipulation in the micron and potentially the nanometric scale. Laser radiation is a useful tool to tailor the interfaces in one step processing due to its unique properties.
In this context, Ultraviolet laser microprocessing leads to localized sensitization at low intensities and materials microablation by high intensities pulses, leading to direct etching or printing of designed micro and nanostructrures such as diffractive optics, holograms and micro-interferometers.
In contrast to the above irreversible processing the reversible organization of soft matter by the application of gradient field forces leads to pattern formation. This innovative concept, not yet fully understood, is applied to organize the macromolecular media and form even solid free-standing three-dimensional structures. It is not only the radiation force applied, but also a combination of synergetic effects involving optical waveguiding and polymer chain entanglement what leads to such forms. Effects are now explored in the frame of hybrid media and device concepts for nanotechnology and photonics.
