Research
Laboratory of Nanophotonics & Metamaterials (NanoMeta lab)
Our group studies light-matter interactions in optical nanostructures (such as semiconductor and plasmonic nanostructures). Light-matter interactions can be enhanced by orders of magnitude in resonant optical nanostructures. Resonant optical nanostructures are becoming increasingly important for future optoelectronic and quantum photonic devices. Based on advanced nanophotonic materials and structural designs, we perform exciting, new research at both fundamental and applied levels.
Our group has been working on important topics in modern nanophotonics and metamaterials research, such as surface plasmon resonances, epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) materials, perfect absorbers, Fano resonances, spoof surface plasmons, and 3D/4D printing. More recently, we have conducted intense research on chiral emission and exciton polaritons in perovskite metasurfaces, bound states in the continuum (BICs), exceptional points, topological singularities and phase transitions, etc.
1) Chiral light sources in compact device platforms
One of the main research themes in our group is to study optical mode coupling and light emission in optical nanostructures. Recently, our group has conducted detailed experimental and theoretical studies on chiral light emission from perovskite metasurfaces. Chirality is optically manifested by different responses to left circularly polarized (LCP) and right circularly polarized (RCP) light. Chiral light sources are highly desirable for important applications, including displays, optical recording, optical communication, bioimaging, enantiomer sensing, biomedical diagnosis, and optical control of quantum states.
2) Exciton polaritons for chiral, topological, and quantum devices
We are interested in developing chiral and topological exciton polariton systems utilizing strong excitonic responses in perovskite and 2D materials. The hybrid nature of exciton polaritons makes them promising for active optical devices, such as optical switches and optical logic gates. The bosonic nature of exciton polaritons also make them interesting for many quantum phenomena, such as polariton condensation (or lasing) and superfluidity.
3) Microwave metamaterials & metaphotonic structures
We have recently introduced the concept of 4D printing to active microwave structures. 4D printing can enable responsive and reconfigurable microwave structures, which may find very creative applications in IoT antennas and sensors. We also continue to develop active microwave photonic devices based on spoof surface plasmon structures.
