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Author

Sean Molesky

Other affiliations: University of Alberta
Bio: Sean Molesky is an academic researcher from Princeton University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Metamaterial & Thermophotovoltaic. The author has an hindex of 19, co-authored 54 publications receiving 3261 citations. Previous affiliations of Sean Molesky include University of Alberta.

Papers published on a yearly basis

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors outline a cross-section of key developments in this emerging field of photonic optimization: moving from a recap of foundational results to motivation of applications in nonlinear, topological, near-field and on-chip optics.
Abstract: Recent advancements in computational inverse-design approaches — algorithmic techniques for discovering optical structures based on desired functional characteristics — have begun to reshape the landscape of structures available to nanophotonics. Here, we outline a cross-section of key developments in this emerging field of photonic optimization: moving from a recap of foundational results to motivation of applications in nonlinear, topological, near-field and on-chip optics. Starting with a desired optical output it is possible to use computational algorithms to inverse design devices. The approach is reviewed here with an emphasis on nanophotonics.

899 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focus on the class of nanostructured media with hyperbolic dispersion that have emerged as one of the most promising metamaterials with a multitude of practical applications from subwavelength imaging, nanoscale waveguiding, biosensing to nonlinear switching.
Abstract: Engineering optical properties using artificial nanostructured media known as metamaterials has led to breakthrough devices with capabilities from super-resolution imaging to invisibility. In this paper, we review metamaterials for quantum nanophotonic applications, a recent development in the field. This seeks to address many challenges in the field of quantum optics using advances in nanophotonics and nanofabrication. We focus on the class of nanostructured media with hyperbolic dispersion that have emerged as one of the most promising metamaterials with a multitude of practical applications from subwavelength imaging, nanoscale waveguiding, biosensing to nonlinear switching. We present the various design and characterization principles of hyperbolic metamaterials and explain the most important property of such media: a broadband enhancement in the electromagnetic density of states. We review several recent experiments that have explored this phenomenon using spontaneous emission from dye molecules and quantum dots. We finally point to future applications of hyperbolic metamaterials, using the broadband enhancement in the spontaneous emission to construct single-photon sources.

445 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors focus on the class of nanostructured media with hyperbolic dispersion that have emerged as one of the most promising metamaterials with a multitude of practical applications from subwavelength imaging, nanoscale waveguiding, biosensing to nonlinear switching.
Abstract: Engineering the optical properties using artificial nanostructured media known as metamaterials has led to breakthrough devices with capabilities from super-resolution imaging to invisibility. In this article, we review metamaterials for quantum nanophotonic applications, a recent development in the field. This seeks to address many challenges in the field of quantum optics using recent advances in nanophotonics and nanofabrication. We focus on the class of nanostructured media with hyperbolic dispersion that have emerged as one of the most promising metamaterials with a multitude of practical applications from subwavelength imaging, nanoscale waveguiding, biosensing to nonlinear switching. We present the various design and characterization principles of hyperbolic metamaterials and explain the most important property of such media: a broadband enhancement in the electromagnetic density of states. We review several recent experiments that have explored this phenomenon using spontaneous emission from dye molecules and quantum dots. We finally point to future applications of hyperbolic metamaterials of using the broadband enhancement in the spontaneous emission to construct single photon sources.

421 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A cross-section of key developments in this emerging field of photonic optimization is outlined: moving from a recap of foundational results to motivation of applications in nonlinear, topological, near-field and on-chip optics.
Abstract: Recent advancements in computational inverse design have begun to reshape the landscape of structures and techniques available to nanophotonics. Here, we outline a cross section of key developments at the intersection of these two fields: moving from a recap of foundational results to motivation of emerging applications in nonlinear, topological, near-field and on-chip optics.

410 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a terahertz scanning tunnelling microscope (THz-STM) with subpicosecond time resolution and nanometre spatial resolution was developed.
Abstract: Ultrafast studies1,2 of excitations on the nanometre scale are essential for guiding applications in nanotechnology. Efforts to integrate femtosecond lasers with scanning tunnelling microscopes (STMs)3 have yielded a number of ultrafast STM techniques4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14, but the basic ability to directly modulate the STM junction bias while maintaining nanometre spatial resolution has been limited to ∼10 ps (refs 7,8) and has required specialized probe or sample structures. Here, without any modification to the STM design, we modulate the STM junction bias by coupling terahertz pulses to the scanning probe tip of an STM and demonstrate terahertz-pulse-induced tunnelling in an STM. The terahertz STM (THz-STM) provides simultaneous subpicosecond (<500 fs) time resolution and nanometre (2 nm) imaging resolution under ambient laboratory conditions, and can directly image ultrafast carrier capture into a single InAs nanodot. The THz-STM accesses an ultrafast tunnelling regime that opens the door to subpicosecond scanning probe microscopy of materials with atomic resolution. An ultrafast terahertz (THz) scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) with subpicosecond time resolution and nanometre spatial resolution has been developed. THz pulses are coupled to the metal tip of a commercial STM and THz-pulse-induced tunnelling is observed in the STM. The THz-STM can directly image ultrafast carrier capture by a single InAs nanodot.

391 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
24 Nov 2015-ACS Nano
TL;DR: Insight is provided into the theoretical modeling and understanding of the van der Waals forces that hold together the 2D layers in bulk solids, as well as their excitonic properties and growth morphologies.
Abstract: The isolation of graphene in 2004 from graphite was a defining moment for the “birth” of a field: two-dimensional (2D) materials In recent years, there has been a rapidly increasing number of papers focusing on non-graphene layered materials, including transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), because of the new properties and applications that emerge upon 2D confinement Here, we review significant recent advances and important new developments in 2D materials “beyond graphene” We provide insight into the theoretical modeling and understanding of the van der Waals (vdW) forces that hold together the 2D layers in bulk solids, as well as their excitonic properties and growth morphologies Additionally, we highlight recent breakthroughs in TMD synthesis and characterization and discuss the newest families of 2D materials, including monoelement 2D materials (ie, silicene, phosphorene, etc) and transition metal carbide- and carbon nitride-based MXenes We then discuss the doping and functionalization of 2

2,036 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review explores different material classes for plasmonic and metamaterial applications, such as conventional semiconductors, transparent conducting oxides, perovskiteOxides, metal nitrides, silicides, germanides, and 2D materials such as graphene.
Abstract: Materials research plays a vital role in transforming breakthrough scientific ideas into next-generation technology. Similar to the way silicon revolutionized the microelectronics industry, the proper materials can greatly impact the field of plasmonics and metamaterials. Currently, research in plasmonics and metamaterials lacks good material building blocks in order to realize useful devices. Such devices suffer from many drawbacks arising from the undesirable properties of their material building blocks, especially metals. There are many materials, other than conventional metallic components such as gold and silver, that exhibit metallic properties and provide advantages in device performance, design flexibility, fabrication, integration, and tunability. This review explores different material classes for plasmonic and metamaterial applications, such as conventional semiconductors, transparent conducting oxides, perovskite oxides, metal nitrides, silicides, germanides, and 2D materials such as graphene. This review provides a summary of the recent developments in the search for better plasmonic materials and an outlook of further research directions.

1,836 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This Review presents a broad outline of the whole range of electromagnetic effects observed using all-dielectric metamaterials: high-refractive-index nanoresonators, metasurfaces, zero-index met amaterials and anisotropic metammaterials, and discusses current challenges and future goals for the field at the intersection with quantum, thermal and silicon photonics.
Abstract: The ideal material for nanophotonic applications will have a large refractive index at optical frequencies, respond to both the electric and magnetic fields of light, support large optical chirality and anisotropy, confine and guide light at the nanoscale, and be able to modify the phase and amplitude of incoming radiation in a fraction of a wavelength. Artificial electromagnetic media, or metamaterials, based on metallic or polar dielectric nanostructures can provide many of these properties by coupling light to free electrons (plasmons) or phonons (phonon polaritons), respectively, but at the inevitable cost of significant energy dissipation and reduced device efficiency. Recently, however, there has been a shift in the approach to nanophotonics. Low-loss electromagnetic responses covering all four quadrants of possible permittivities and permeabilities have been achieved using completely transparent and high-refractive-index dielectric building blocks. Moreover, an emerging class of all-dielectric metamaterials consisting of anisotropic crystals has been shown to support large refractive index contrast between orthogonal polarizations of light. These advances have revived the exciting prospect of integrating exotic electromagnetic effects in practical photonic devices, to achieve, for example, ultrathin and efficient optical elements, and realize the long-standing goal of subdiffraction confinement and guiding of light without metals. In this Review, we present a broad outline of the whole range of electromagnetic effects observed using all-dielectric metamaterials: high-refractive-index nanoresonators, metasurfaces, zero-index metamaterials and anisotropic metamaterials. Finally, we discuss current challenges and future goals for the field at the intersection with quantum, thermal and silicon photonics, as well as biomimetic metasurfaces.

1,634 citations

01 Jan 2016
TL;DR: The electronic transport in mesoscopic systems is universally compatible with any devices to read, and is available in the book collection an online access to it is set as public so you can get it instantly.
Abstract: Thank you very much for reading electronic transport in mesoscopic systems. Maybe you have knowledge that, people have look numerous times for their favorite readings like this electronic transport in mesoscopic systems, but end up in harmful downloads. Rather than reading a good book with a cup of tea in the afternoon, instead they juggled with some harmful bugs inside their computer. electronic transport in mesoscopic systems is available in our book collection an online access to it is set as public so you can get it instantly. Our book servers spans in multiple locations, allowing you to get the most less latency time to download any of our books like this one. Merely said, the electronic transport in mesoscopic systems is universally compatible with any devices to read.

1,220 citations