Nanostructured van der Waals materials for enhanced light emission

ended

This research proposal aims at exploring the potential of atomically-thin van der Waals (vdW) materials as highly efficient single-photon and nonlinear light sources towards their implementation in optical devices. In the context of nano-optics, an important element towards the development of practical photonic-based technologies is the achievement of bright and stable light sources as well as a precise control over quantum emitters. So far, the development of photonic devices is limited by a number of issues which can be addressed by the use of two-dimensional (2D) vdW materials. They present interesting excitonic properties such as strain-induced localization of emitters and inherent optical nonlinearities but the low quantum yield hinders their use in optical devices. Therefore, there is a real need to enhance the photoluminescence of vdW materials. One way to address the low quantum yield is by utilizing nanostructures to increase their emission rate. This project will be carried out with Dr Sapienza at the Imperial College London in collaboration with a secondment host, Prof. Tartakovskii at the University of Sheffield. My experience with nanoscale hotspot manipulation for fluorescence enhancement and the activity of the hosts with quantum emitters and vdW materials will permit a collaborative and interdisciplinary research programme at the interface between 2D materials and nano-optics. If successful, this proposal will allow me to advance my career in the field of nanophotonics and participate in diversifying the achievements of the host groups in nonlinear optics and plasmonics. Furthermore, the potential outcomes will provide a major step towards the implementation of vdW materials in photonic devices, thus establishing European leadership worldwide in the scheme of nano-optics and quantum research.