NRL Nanoscale Photonics
NRL grant aims to create advanced, compact infrared light manipulation systems using nanostructured materials for improved sensing and optical circuitry.
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 (RAP opportunity application deadline)
Funding Amounts: $99,200 stipend plus $3,000 travel allowance; relocation assistance and health insurance available.
Summary: Fellowship supporting postdoctoral research at Naval Research Laboratory to develop novel nanoscale optoelectronic systems manipulating infrared light beyond the diffraction limit.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents; requires Ph.D. earned within 5 years; research focused on nanophotonics, plasmon and phonon polariton resonances for infrared sensing and optical circuitry.
Description
This fellowship opportunity at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) focuses on pioneering research in nanoscale photonics, specifically developing novel optoelectronic systems capable of efficiently manipulating infrared light well beyond the diffraction limit. The research aims to enhance and control light-matter interactions at the nanoscale to significantly improve the sensitivity and selectivity of sensing technologies, reduce the size, weight, and power (SWaP) of optical systems, and realize all-optical nanophotonic circuitry.
The program exploits unique optical properties of nanostructured materials that support plasmon polariton and phonon polariton resonances. Research activities include designing, fabricating, characterizing, and modeling infrared nanophotonic systems that support epsilon near zero modes, volume-confined hyperbolic polaritons, surface-confined polaritons, and topologically protected photonic states. Emphasis is placed on phonon polariton materials that enable extremely low-loss resonances spanning mid-infrared to terahertz spectral regimes.
Key techniques used in this research include:
- Nanostructuring materials via e-beam lithography, photolithography, and 3D printing nanolithography (Nanoscribe).
- Characterizing nanostructures using optical methods such as reflection, transmission, photoluminescence, thermal emission, Raman spectroscopies, and scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy.
- Full-wave electromagnetic modeling with COMSOL and CST Studio software to design and understand novel nanophotonic states.
Relevant publications from the group demonstrate the scientific foundation and impact of this research area.
