Our Research
We investigate and engineer nanoscale light–matter interactions using rationally designed and precisely fabricated nanostructures. The goal is to deterministically shape optical fields on the nanometer scale and thereby make interactions between light and matter accessible beyond classical resolution limits. This opens up new possibilities for enhancing, controlling, and functionalizing optical processes.
The research is based on the close interplay of theory, simulation, nanofabrication, and experiment. Nanooptical concepts are developed using computational models and realized through state-of-the-art nanofabrication techniques. Linear and nonlinear microscopic and spectroscopic methods are employed for the detailed characterization of optical properties and for validating the underlying physical concepts.
The functional nanostructures are tailored to specific scientific questions. They serve both to address fundamental issues in nanooptics and to develop new approaches for enhanced spectral sensitivity, nanoscale sensing, and controlled light–matter interactions. In this way, the research department combines fundamental research with the systematic exploration of nanooptical functionalities.
Research Focus Areas
Plasmonic Nanoantennas
& Nanocircuits
Design and realization of plasmonic nanostructures for local field enhancement and controlled guiding of optical signals at nanoscale
Nano-Optical Resonators
& Functional Materials
Semiconducting polymer microresonators and other functional nanomaterials for targeted light–matter interactions
Plasmon-Enhanced
Spectroscopy
Exploitation of plasmonic effects to increase the sensitivity of linear and nonlinear spectroscopic techniques
Extreme
Nanofabrications
Deterministic fabrication of high-definition metallic and dielectric functional nanostructures with sub-10 nanometer fine features
Chiral & Sensing
Nanooptics
Chiral light–matter interactions and optical nanosensors for selective and highly sensitive chiroptical detection concepts
Functional & Active
Metasurfaces
Actively controllable functional metasurfaces for near- and far-field light control
Collaborations and Networks
The Research Department of Nanooptics is embedded in national and international research networks and collaborates with partners from physics, chemistry, materials science, optics, and nanotechnology. A central role is played by its participation in the DFG Collaborative Research Center NOA, which focuses on fundamental research into nonlinear optics at the atomic scale. Another international collaboration is the DFG International Research Training Group Meta-Active between FSU and ANU, which focusing on training international scholars in the research field of metasurfaces. The research department plays a key role in the design, fabrication and optical characterization of functional nanostructures. The research department also have long-term collaboration with material scientists in the USA, Taiwan, and Japan, in the research field of photonic circuits, nano emitters, and semiconducting polymer microcavities.
Within Leibniz IPHT, the department is in close collaboration with research units in spectroscopy and imaging, microscopy, optical thin film, and micro- and nanotechnology. These collaborations expand through the field of nonlinear spectroscopy, super-resolution chiral domain imaging, molecular thin film, and nanoprinting high-index dielectric optical resonators, making it possible to integrate nanooptical concepts into institute-wide experimental platforms and to explore their relevance for advanced methodological and technological developments.
Selected Projects
Analysis of Light-Induced Chemical Processes at the Nanoscale
NOA (C1): Hot-spot-assisted coherent nonlinear Raman spectroscopy towards single-molecule resolution and time-resolution
Active Nanostructured Metasurfaces for Light Control
Meta-Active: Tailored Metasurfaces – Generating, Programming and Detecting Light
Recent Publications