Chemical Approach to Scalable Fabrication of Hybrid Plasmonic Materials in the Strong-Coupling Regime

ended

The full control over the nanoscale behavior of light holds incredible potential for the realization of various next-generation technologies with dramatic impact on society, offering revolutionary solutions for cleaner energy resources, faster optical communication systems, data storage and computing, and a more sustainable future (UNESCO’s Sustainable Development Goals number 7 and 9). Strong-coupling light-matter interaction has been the subject of extensive fundamental physics research, while chemists have so far contributed only marginally to its development. Progress in nanosynthesis and nanofabrication have created the perfect environment for the chemistry community to step in and guide the field towards a new class of photonic materials operating in the strong-coupling regime. This proposal will capitalize on my diverse and multidisciplinary training in the fields of chemistry, plasmonics, nano-optics, and materials science for the realization of complex plasmonic architectures coupled with various emitters to establish strong-coupling interactions. I will explore the use of light to modify the energy landscape of these chemical systems, and control their emission and reactivity. I will investigate the fundamental aspects of light-matter interactions (e.g. anisotropy, delocalization, and chirality) and its application for the realization of new plasmonic chemistry at the nanoscale. The expertise of the NANOPTO group and the top facilities available at the Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona and the proposed secondments at UCT Prague and LMU will be instrumental for my career development and constitute an important asset for my personal progression as a scientist. I will acquire new skills for the fabrication and characterization of macroscopic-scale plasmonic devices and extend my scientific network, and improve my mentoring expertise, with the final goal of securing seed funding for a stable group leader position.