FEMTONANO

Femtosecond laser induced nanoclusters in glasses for photonic applications

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Lately composite materials containing metal nanoparticules have found an increasing number of applications in different fields of science and technology. In particular glasses containing metallic nanoparticules are of great interest for photonics because of their unique linear and nonlinear optical properties, which are determined by surface plasma oscillations of the metal clusters. The surface plasmon resonance depends strongly on shape, distribution and concentration of the nanoparticules, as well as on the surrounding dielectric matrix. This offers the opportunity to manufacture very promising new nonlinear materials, nanodevices and optical elements by manipulation of the nanostructural properties of the composite medium. Recently, laser-based techniques leading to modifications of shape and size of the metal clusters have increasingly become of great interest and proved to provide a very powerful and flexible tool to control and optimize the linear and nonlinear optical properties of such materials. More generally, this technique allows the engineering of the optical properties of the material via gaining control over the spatial distribution of nanoparticules in the glass matrix. The possibility to 3D spatially structure the linear and non-linear properties of various materials leads thus to consider femtosecond laser as a fantastic tool. However, a deeper understanding of the light-matter interaction, with emphasis on multiphotons processes, is profoundly needed for the development of new optical devices based on nanoparticules mastering. This proposal is thus dedicated to 1/ to understand the processes of the formation of metallic nanostructures in glassy media and 2/ to manipulate, to master the nanocluster shape and mostly distribution within the dielectric matrix. This will allow structuring the non-linear properties in the dielectric matrix on demand.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Research in the field of photonics has resulted in a wide range of science and technology applications. These include lasers, biological and chemical sensing, display technology as well as medical diagnostics and therapy tools.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Glass containing metallic nanoparticles is piquing interest for potential applications in photonics thanks to their special linear and non-linear optical properties. These properties are determined by surface plasma oscillations of the metal clusters, the resonance of which is strongly linked to the concentration, distribution and shape of the nanoparticles. Another important factor is the surrounding dielectric matrix, which influences the movement of electric and magnetic energy.

Optimising glass materials by manipulating nanostructural properties promises to facilitate the development and production of non-linear materials, nanodevices and optical elements. One way of doing this is with laser-based techniques that can modify the shape and size of the metal clusters; this has already been proved to be a powerful and flexible tool for controlling and optimising linear and non-linear optical properties of composite materials. It can be realised by engineering the material's optical properties through gaining control of the distribution of nanoparticles in the glass matrix. Researchers are now considering the femtosecond laser (FSL), to take advantage of this potential.

the 'Femtosecond laser induced nanoclusters in glasses for photonic applications' (Femtonano) project aimed to advance knowledge in this area by studying light-matter interaction and, in particular, the multiphotons processes. This is essential for efforts to develop new optical devices based on the mastering of nanoparticles. The EU-funded project set out to better understand how metallic nanostructures form in glassy media as well as find a way to manipulate the nanocluster shape and distribution within the dielectric matrix.

FS pulses have much to offer in the way of space-selective microscopic processing and formation of three-dimensional modified microstructures. FSL processing has already been used for the manufacture of various kinds of integrated functional opto-devices. These include 3D optical waveguides, optical memory and photonic crystals.

in their investigations of FSL-induced nanoclusters in glasses for photonic applications, team members were able to propose a possible mechanism for nanoclusters shaping and understand more about the influence of laser irradiation conditions on the behaviours of these nanoclusters. Experiments revealed the stress fields induced by FSL irradiation and enabled researchers to describe effects of varying intensity and writing direction.

femtonano successfully used FSL irradiation to write crystalline lines inside multi-component silica glass and identify the laser processing windows and composition of the glass host matrix. The crystallisation technique sets the foundation for efforts directed at achieving 3D optical memories, integrated solid-state displays and perhaps even integrated optic-electronic devices.

A definition showing how to achieve easy control of crystal growth orientation inside glasses is still lacking. Femtonano partners intended to continue efforts in this direction even beyond the scope of this project.