RESEARCH SUNGKYUNKWAN UNIVERSITY IQB

Quantum Metasurfaces

Metasurfaces have the unique ability to completely control light within a thin layer that is smaller than the wavelength of the light. This control includes the ability to selectively manipulate the operating wavelength and polarization of light in complex ways. Metasurfaces also offer new physics and a range of possibilities that are distinct from what can be accomplished with bulk optics or 3D metamaterials. An example of this is the ability to modulate an incident beam using antenna arrays with prescribed phase gradients according to the generalized Snell’s law. Metasurfaces provide design flexibility and complete control over both amplitude and phase by engineering unit cell structure or periodic structures. Additionally, metasurfaces can shape the near-field light-matter interactions, which is important for optical sources and detectors, and can result in perfect absorption, enhanced emission, and tailored specific electromagnetic mode generation.

Metasurfaces have become a common tool in classical optics, and there is growing interest in incorporating the unique capabilities of flat optics into the field of quantum optics. This requires new sources of single photons, entangled photons, and other types of non-classical light, as well as advanced detection methods. The quantum states can be based on various features of light such as polarization, direction, and orbital angular momentum. The metasurfaces also can be directly integrated with quantum materials, like quantum dots or 2D materials for specific quantum biophysical applications. IQB aims to develop quantum metasurfaces for next generation quantum-enhanced bio-sensing, spectroscopy, and imaging techniques. For instances, new types of quantum-enhanced immunoassay, ultrasensitive biosensors with strongly coupled light-molecular interaction, ultrafast molecular diagnostics, and real-time molecular sensing and imaging methods can be further developed.