Research project

EXTREME-IR - Extreme Optical Nonlinearities in 2D materials for Far-Infrared Photonics (DFM.AD005.347)

Thematic area

Physical sciences and technologies of matter

Project area

Fotonica: dai processi fisici ai componenti e sistemi e relative applicazioni (DFM.AD005)

Structure responsible for the research project

Institute of nanoscience (NANO)

Other structures collaborating in the research project

Project manager

MIRIAM SERENA VITIELLO
Phone number: 000
Email: MIRIAM.VITIELLO@NANO.CNR.IT

Abstract

The generation of light across the mid-infrared (MIR) and terahertz (THz) spectral regions of the electromagnetic spectrum has become an enabling technology, opening up a plethora of sensing applications across the sciences, as well as enabling the study of fundamental light-matter interactions. The key disruptor in this domain is the quantum cascade laser (QCL), which has grown from a laboratory curiosity to become an essential and practical optoelectronic source for a broad range of application sectors. The expansion of applications has, however, highlighted a technology gap lying between the MIR and THz domains, between 25 ¼m and 60 ¼m (5 - 12 THz), which is termed the far-infrared (FIR). Compared to neighbouring MIR and THz domains, the FIR lacks solid-state source technologies, despite the many sensing applications that such compact sources would enable. In the EXTREME-IR project we will breakthrough this technological barrier by pioneering a radically new platform exploiting nonlinear optics in 2D materials to realize functionalized, compact and coherent FIR sources. 2D materials are becoming an important area of scientific interest.

Goals

The generation of light across the mid-infrared (MIR) and terahertz (THz) spectral regions of the electromagnetic spectrum has become an enabling technology, opening up a plethora of sensing applications across the sciences, as well as enabling the study of fundamental light-matter interactions. The key disruptor in this domain is the quantum cascade laser (QCL), which has grown from a laboratory curiosity to become an essential and practical optoelectronic source for a broad range of application sectors. The expansion of applications has, however, highlighted a technology gap lying between the MIR and THz domains, between 25 ¼m and 60 ¼m (5 - 12 THz), which is termed the far-infrared (FIR). Compared to neighbouring MIR and THz domains, the FIR lacks solid-state source technologies, despite the many sensing applications that such compact sources would enable. In the EXTREME-IR project we will breakthrough this technological barrier by pioneering a radically new platform exploiting nonlinear optics in 2D materials to realize functionalized, compact and coherent FIR sources. 2D materials are becoming an important area of scientific interest.

Start date of activity

01/09/2021

Keywords

infrared, two dimensional, materials

Last update: 12/11/2024