Collaborative Research: DMREF: NSF-DFG: Rational Design of Tunable Anisotropic Chalcogenides for Optics

Non-technical description: This project brings together researchers from USA and Germany to develop a new class of optical materials that can control light in unusual and highly customizable ways. These semiconductor materials, which we refer to as tunable anisotropic chalcogenides for optics have the potential to enable faster light-based communication systems, improved sensors, mixed reality displays, photon routers for quantum computing, and advanced tools for laser-based manufacturing. The team discover new materials by combining theory, computer simulations, and materials informatics, followed by the formation of single crystals and thin films using state-of-the-art synthesis techniques. The project includes extensive training for the next generation of materials scientists and engineers, international exchange opportunities for students, and community building activities such as an online photonics research forum. It includes a coordinated student exchange with the DFG partner, collaboration with Air Force Research Laboratory, and activities that cultivate entrepreneurship across the participating institutions. Technical description: The proposed research will create a new class of low-loss optical materials called tunable anisotropic chalcogenides for optics that have large optical anisotropy with controlled spatial variations and, in select cases, dynamically tunable anisotropy across the visible to mid-infrared spectral ranges. The team use first-principles density functional theory and materials informatics to identify promising low dimensional chalcogenides containing transition metal cations, followed by synthesis via vapor transport crystal growth and pulsed laser deposition. Structural and optical properties are probed using X-ray, neutron, and electron-based methods along with optical spectroscopies capable of quantifying linear and circular anisotropy. Alloying and ion bombardment are employed to systematically tune the anisotropy. The integrated closed feedback loop supports iterative optimization within a high dimensional materials space, thereby expediting the rapid discovery and developments of TACOs. The project is expected to lead to an open-access database with physical properties of optically anisotropic crystals. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria. NSF Award ID: 2522862 | Program: 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT | Principal Investigator: Jayakanth Ravichandran | Institution: University of Southern California, LOS ANGELES, CA | Award Amount: $665,000 View on NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/show-award/?AWD_ID=2522862 View on Research.gov: https://www.research.gov/awardapi-service/v1/awards/2522862.html