Expanding the dimensionality of nanostructured ferroelectric domains

This project aims at investigating and developing one-, two-, and three- dimensional ferroelectric domain-structures with nanoscale features, for realization of paradigm-shifting nonlinear optical interactions.

Such interactions are impossible to realize using conventional nonlinear optical materials, and the currently available structuring technology.By leveraging  tools for artificially re-shaping the ferroelectric properties at the nanoscale, we will develop a structuring technology to obtain 1D-, 2D- and 3D- nanodomain matrices.

This will be done by combining ion-exchange techniques with laser-assisted material engineering.

The development of these techniques requires fundamental studies on the interplay between polarization-switching, ionic-transport, and domain wall properties. These issues will be studied experimentally by atomic force microscopy-based techniques.

Afterwards, the photonic devices developed here, will be integrated in a waveguide platform by bonding and laser dicing.

This project will provide a unique nonlinear photonic platform that enables disruptive functionalities in applications such as frequency conversion, beam shaping, and quantum communications technologies.