Surface Plasmon Polaritons based nanophotonics devices and biosensors

Surface Plasmon Polaritons (SPPs) are electromagnetic waves which are highly confined to a metal-dielectric interface and decay exponentially into both neighbouring media. The tight field intensity confinement (sub-wavelength) to the metal surface makes SPPs a good candidate as highly integrated photonics devices for next generation nanophotonics and since they are very sensitive to surrounding media, devices based on SPPs are ideal for biosensing applications in biophotonics. However SPPs based devices suffer the disadvantage of high loss resulting in short propagation lengths, in turn limiting device architecture. Recently we have proposed (Ref: Optics Letters, vol. 39, no. 4, pp. 973-976, 2014) a novel SPPs based structure which offers greater flexibility for the design of SPPs waveguides by altering the trade-off between mode confinement and propagation length.

The project follows on from ground breaking work by the group in SPPs waveguides. The main aim of this doctoral project is to undertake (1) a detailed investigation of the new SPPs structure to develop a deeper understanding of its characteristics and (2) to optimise the existing structure and potentially develop new structures as the basis for novel nanophotonic devices and biosensors.

The project will take place in the DIT Photonics Research Centre in a vibrant international group of researchers with a strong track record in optical sensing, nanophotonics and the application of photonic devices in various industrial areas. The Centre is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for design and characterization of nanophotonic devices and biosensors. The Centre has a strong publication track record and also strong international collaborations with partners in Europe, China and elsewhere.

Please apply online at the link provided. Further information is available at

http://www.dit.ie/researchandenterprise/graduateresearchschool/phdopportunities/phdprojects/engineeringbuiltenvironment/