Synthetic optical materials for photonic metasurfaces applications

While current progress of the research in metamaterials technology has produced many solutions for devices in imaging, sensing and analysis, at industrial level the most promising routes remain largely aligned to CMOS compatible manufacturing approaches. ST is the first world leading company manufacturing metasurfaces for consumer products, using a silicon-based platform, for time-of-flight sensors in the near infrared region.
With this project we aim to explore viable material and processing platforms to extend the capabilities of the metasurface technology at industrial scales to wider spectral ranges, both towards shorter and longer wavelengths and including tunability.
The student will have access to state-of-the-art fabrication and characterization facilities at the University of St Andrews to develop the new generation of artificial materials for advanced photonic applications. This will enable the creation of novel devices, specifically aimed at augmented reality for position and motion sensing. The partnership with ST offers the unique opportunity to align the research to industrial relevant processes and requirements.