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Now showing items 1-10 of 16
Fourier optics for wavefront engineering and wavelength control of lasers
(2014-02-25)
Since their initial demonstration in 1994, quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) have become prominent sources of mid-infrared radiation. Over the years, a large scientific and engineering effort has led to a dramatic improvement ...
Nonlinear optics in titanium dioxide: from bulk to integrated optical devices
(2013-10-18)
In this thesis, we explore titanium dioxide (TiO2) for ultrafast, on-chip nonlinear optics by studying it in bulk, thin films, and in integrated nonlinear optical devices. TiO2's large nonlinear index of refraction (30 ...
Directional Optical Antennas, Wafer-Scale Metasurfaces, and Single Molecule Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering
(2013-10-17)
Within the field of optics, one of the topics being currently investigated with considerable interest is that of plasmonics, which refers to the use of surface plasmons on metallic nanostructures to manipulate light. It ...
Optics at interfaces: ultra-thin color coatings, perfect absorbers, and metasurfaces
(2014-02-25)
The vast majority of optical components and devices in use today can be grouped under the umbrella of ``bulk optics''; i.e. they generally have a non-negligible thickness compared to the wavelength of light. This is true ...
Plasmonics for surface-enhanced Raman scattering: from classical to quantum
(2014-06-06)
Metallic nanostructures that employ localized surface plasmon resonances to capture or radiate electromagnetic waves at optical frequencies are termed "plasmonic optical antennas". These structures enhance light-matter ...
Femtosecond laser direct writing of 3D metallic structures and 2D graphite
(2014-06-06)
This thesis explores a novel methodology to fabricate three dimensional (3D) metal-dielectric structures, and two dimensional (2D) graphite layers for emerging metamaterials and graphene applications. The investigations ...
Three-dimensional nanofabrication of silver structures in polymer with direct laser writing
(2014-06-06)
This dissertation describes methodology that significantly improves the state of femtosecond laser writing of metals. The developments address two major shortcomings: poor material quality, and limited 3D patterning ...
Imaging Pressure, Cells and Light Fields
(2014-06-06)
Imaging systems often make use of macroscopic lenses to manipulate light. Modern microfabrication techniques, however, have opened up a pathway to the development of novel arrayed imaging systems. In such systems, ...
Femtosecond-laser hyperdoping and texturing of silicon for photovoltaic applications
(2014-06-06)
This dissertation explores strategies for improving photolvoltaic efficiency and reducing cost using femtosecond-laser processing methods including surface texturing and hyperdoping. Our investigations focus on two aspects: ...
Near-Field Optical Forces: Photonics, Plasmonics and the Casimir Effect
(2013-10-08)
The coupling of macroscopic objects via the optical near-field can generate strong attractive and repulsive forces. Here, I explore the static and dynamic optomechanical interactions that take place in a geometry consisting ...