The Photonics Initiative’s research involves manipulating light and electromagnetic radiation in unusual ways, pushing the boundaries of light-matter interactions and enabling advancements in technologies relevant to our daily lives. We expand boundaries by exploring the basic science of wave propagation, and then using the results in new applications for energy harvesting, radio-wave communications, photovoltaics, sensing, and more.
Projects
Simons Collaboration: Harnessing Universal Symmetry Concepts for Extreme Wave Phenomena
This groundbreaking research program aims to further our fundamental understanding of and ability to manipulate light and sound waves in order to facilitate the development of leapfrog technologies in a variety of areas, including telecommunications and biomedical sciences. Funded by the Simons Foundation Math and Physical Sciences Division.
AFOSR MURI: Magnet-Free Non-Reciprocal Metamaterials Based on Spatio-Temporal Modulation
This multi-university research project will work to develop time-modulated metamaterials that can break reciprocity and realize a new generation of compact nanophotonic and electromagnetic devices with non-symmetric transmission properties. Funded by the United States Department of Defense’s (DoD) Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) program.
Latest Publications
A. Pun, S. Sanders, M. Sfeir, L. Campos and D. Congreve, “Annihilator dimers enhance triplet fusion upconversion,” Chem. Sci., Advance Article, March 7, 2019. (web)
Liu, Z. Liang, J. Zhu, L. Xia, O. Mondain-Monval, T. Brunet, A. Alù, and J. Li, “Willis Metamaterial on a Structured Beam,” Physical Review X, Vol. 9, No. 1, 011040 (12 pages), February 28, 2019. (web, arxiv)
Sun, C. Y. Wang, A. Krasnok, J. Choi, J. Shi, J. S. Gomez-Diaz, A. Zepeda, S. Gwo, C. K. Shih, A. Alù, and X. Li, “Separation of Valley Excitons in a MoS2 Monolayer Using a Subwavelength Asymmewtric Groove Array,” Nature Photonics, Vol. 13, No. 3, pp. 180-184, Febrauary 11, 2019. (web, RedCube, arxiv)
Featured Articles
February 11, 2019: Our paper on separation of valley excitons using an asymmewtric metasurface has been published in Nature Photonics. [RedCube]
January 16, 2019: Our paper on nonreciprocal cavities and the relation with the time-bandwidth limit has been published in Optica. [Press release]
January 4, 2019: Our review paper on exceptional points in optics and photonics has been published in Science.