Nanophotonics

By manipulating materials at dimensions smaller than the wavelength of light, we reveal the truly amazing interaction between photons and matter when optical fields are confined to their ultimate limits. The drive to shrink optical components has led to complete benchtop networks becoming incorporated on a single chip, communication systems with lower power and faster speeds, integrated spectroscopy and sensing platforms, and fundamental scientific testbeds. Having developed the first vertical cavity laser, the first photonic crystal laser, the first demonstration of strong coupling in the solid state as well electro-optic modulators with record low drive voltages and all-optical modulators operating at THz speeds, we continue to pioneer the next generation of nanophotonic devices. We are interested in shrinking laser dimensions and lowering threshold powers even further. Besides, we aim to exploit nanoscale dimensions to enable light emission from silicon, produce optical sensors with enhanced sensitivity, and further explore cavity QED in the solid state.