NRL Nonlinear Optics at the Nanoscale
NRL uses advanced microscopy to study light-matter interactions in nanophotonic materials, aiming to control material properties via strong coupling.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
NRC Research Associateship Programs has archived this opportunity.
Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: May 1, 2025
Funding Amounts: $99,200 stipend plus $3,000 travel allowance; relocation assistance available; typical fellowship duration 2-3 years
Summary: Postdoctoral fellowship at the Naval Research Laboratory to study nonlinear optics at the nanoscale using advanced microscopy to investigate and manipulate light-matter interactions in nanophotonic materials.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents; requires Ph.D. earned within last 5 years; applicants must contact Research Adviser prior to applying.
Description
This fellowship opportunity at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) focuses on nonlinear optics at the nanoscale. The research involves using sensitive far-field and near-field microscopy techniques to study the spectral and transient optical properties of coupled light-matter systems and nanophotonic materials. The goal is to manipulate material properties through strong coupling between light (optical resonators) and matter (molecular vibrations or electronic transitions), which can create new hybrid light-matter states. These states have the potential to alter chemical reactivity, excitation and decay kinetics, and even form Bose-Einstein condensates.
The research utilizes spatially-confined optical fields such as surface plasmons and surface phonon polaritons, as well as wavelength-scale Fabry-Perot cavities. The NRL group offers expertise and facilities in diffraction-limited optical imaging and spectroscopy, pulsed optical sources for nonlinear processes, near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM), and nanostructure fabrication via vapor-phase growth, electrochemical methods, and electron-beam lithography. The environment encourages multidisciplinary collaboration within NRL’s Nanoscience Institute.
