Structure-property relationships of a new generation of organic photonic materials

Structure-property relationships of a new generation of organic photonic materials

Photonics

Jean Charles Ribierre

Hyperbolic metamaterials¹ are anisotropic metal/dielectric plasmonic nanostructures that exploit the basic dispersion relation of waves to manipulate light at the nanoscale and control light-matter interactions. They have rapidly gained an important role in nanophotonics due to their applications in sub-wavelength imaging, spontaneous emission engineering and sensing. Their main limitations come from their light propagation losses and their multiple-step fabrication processes. Recently, hyperbolic dispersion relation was found in a few solution-processed organic thin films.² These materials showed lower optical losses than plasmonic structures and could substantially enhance the spontaneous emission of light-emitting molecules placed near their interface. To fully exploit their potential, it is now essential to establish their structure-property relationship and provide new molecular guidelines to improve and tune their optical properties in the visible and near infrared spectral range.  

This PhD project in collaboration with a French CNRS laboratory aims to relate the structural and optical properties of new organic thin films that show hyperbolic relation dispersion. The experimental techniques required for this study include organic thin film fabrication by solution-processing and thermal evaporation, variable-angle spectroscopic ellipsometry, steady-state and time-resolved optical spectroscopy, attenuated total internal reflection and x-ray diffraction techniques. This project is challenging but represents a unique opportunity for a motivated PhD student to work at the forefront of an interdisciplinary and timely research topic. The expertise gained during this project will place the PhD student in a favorable position to pursue a scientific career either in academia or industry.

To be eligible, applicants should hold or expect to receive a minimum 2:1 Honours degree (or the international equivalent) in physics, material science, physical chemistry or any related disciplines. The successful candidate should be highly motivated to undertake multidisciplinary research and demonstrate enthusiasm for research, the ability to think and work both independently and in team, excellent analytic and communication skills. Previous experiences in organic optoelectronics and photophysics of organic semiconductors will be considered advantageous. The student will work in a new laboratory at the School of Physics and Astronomy of the University of St Andrews, interacting with faculty members, postdoctoral researchers and other postgraduate students involved in the well-equipped Organic Semiconductor Center. A PhD scholarship funded by the Leverhulme Trust Foundation is available for Home/EU and international students. Note that non-UK applicants must meet English language entry requirement (IELTS with a minimum overall score of 6.5 or the equivalent). The scholarship will cover 3.5 years of stipend and fees, and the School will cover costs associated with any required visa. The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made by email to Dr Jean-Charles Ribierre (jr43@st-andrews.ac.uk).

[1] A. Poddubny et al. Nat. Photon. 7, 948 (2013); P. Wang et al., Chem. Rev. 122, 15031 (2022) ; P. Huo et al., Adv. Opt. Mater. 7, 1801616 (2019) ; A. Aigner et al., LSA 11, 9 (2022); K. J. Lee et al. Nat. Mater. 16, 722 (2017) ; K. J. Lee et al., Nano Lett. 18, 1476 (2018).

[2] Y. U. Lee et al. ACS Photon. 6, 1681 (2019) ; Y. U. Lee et al. Adv. Opt. Mater. 6, 1701400 (2018); M. J. Kim et al., Adv. Opt. Mater. 9, 2101091 (2021).