NRL Micro-/Nano-Optomechanical Systems and Optical MEMS: Mode Perturbation, Optical Forces, and Light Matter Interactions
This project studies light's interaction with micro/nano structures to manipulate light modes and explore new optical technologies.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
NRC Research Associateship Programs has archived this opportunity.
Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: February 1, 2025 | May 1, 2025 | August 1, 2025 | November 1, 2025
Funding Amounts: $99,200 stipend plus $3,000 travel allowance; typical tenure 2-3 years.
Summary: Postdoctoral fellowship supporting research on light interaction with micro/nano-optomechanical systems and optical MEMS at the Naval Research Laboratory.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents; relocation and health insurance benefits included; requires contacting research adviser prior to application.
Description
This postdoctoral research opportunity at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) focuses on the interaction between light and micro-/nano-scale optical and mechanical structures. The project investigates how weakly-confined waveguide modes are perturbed by mechanical structures or active thin film materials within the evanescent field of the mode, enabling large-scale tuning of the effective index of propagating modes.
Key research areas include:
- Mode perturbation using optomechanics and optical MEMS.
- Coupling and conversion between orthogonal modes and polarization states via symmetry-breaking structures.
- Optical forces and feedback interactions in novel optomechanical cavities.
- Enhancement of optical forces through innovative waveguide designs.
- Applications of optomechanical devices for sensors, oscillators, and modulators.
- Development of microfabrication and micromachining techniques for photonic devices and MEMS/NEMS relevant to Navy and Department of Defense interests.
- Design, simulation, layout, and testing of photonic integrated circuits (PICs), including active linear and nonlinear optical interactions.
The research aims to advance novel optical technologies by leveraging light-matter interactions at micro and nanoscale dimensions.
Lab Website:
https://www.nrl.navy.mil/Our-Work/Areas-of-Research/Optical-Sciences/
Selected Publications:
- Pruessner et al., "A waveguide thermal emitter," APL Photonics, 10, 036103 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0252536
- Pruessner et al., "Broadband near-infrared emission in silicon waveguides," Nature Communications, 15, 4639 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-48772-6
- Pruessner et al., "Foundry-Processed Optomechanical Photonic Integrated Circuits," OSA Continuum, 4(4), 1215-1222 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1364/OSAC.419410
