Functional optical nanostructures by DNA self-assembly (FUNANODNA)
Main funder
Funder's project number: 4602-057de
Funds granted by main funder (€)
- 301 624,00
Funding program
Project timetable
Project start date: 01/01/2020
Project end date: 30/06/2023
Summary
Plasmonic metal nanostructures are widely explored in nanophotonics due to their unique optical properties, such as optical chirality and high field enhancement. They can also function as building blocks of novel metamaterials as well as quantum photonics. Since the plasmonic resonances are dramatically affected by the material, size and shape of the nanostructure, the above applications create significant challenges for the current fabrication methods. In particular, large scale production needed for any metamaterial, is very slow and thus expensive. Furthermore, the current fabrication accuracy is not high enough to produce long-awaited metasurfaces operating at the visible range. In this project, we will develop novel fabrication methods, which combine the high spatial resolution of DNA self-assembly and conventional nanofabrication processes. These methods will enable mass production of plasmonic structures with accuracy beyond the current techniques. The applicability and utility of these methods will be demonstrated by fabricating and characterizing several distinctive nanostructures and metamaterials with novel optical properties – such as, chiral metasurfaces with enhanced light-matter interaction, and metal nanotoroids supporting very rare electromagnetic toroidal excitations. These both are promising candidates for highly selective, including enantioselective, optical sensing of organic molecules, which is of great importance in biomedical development.
