Projects for PREM Undergraduate/High School
Summer Research Program 2014
Project: 1
Led by: Rabia Hussain
Advisor: Dr. N. Noginova
Title: Variation in emission intensity of electric and magnetic dipoles of Eu 3+ complex in vicinity of plasmonic silver metal
Objective
In this project, we want to study the behavioral effects of dipoles on different thicknesses of plasmonic silver substrates. Previously, we observed that for thick metallic films, the dipoles follow the behavior as predicted by image dipole approximation theory, i.e. their behavior can be described by respective constructive and destructive interference effects. For comparatively thin films, we demonstrated that plasmonic modes also contribute in the modification of their intensities. Our goal is to collect emission and excitation spectral data for a range of silver substrates of different thicknesses and to analyze it. A potential application of this work could be in the field of sensor technologies.
Literature:
[1] N. Noginova, G. Zhu, M. Mavy, and M. A. Noginov, “Magnetic dipole based systems for probing optical magnetism”, J. Appl. Phys. 103, 07E901 (2008).
[2] N Noginova, R Hussain, MA Noginov, J Vella, A Urbas “Modification of electric and magnetic dipole emission in anisotropic plasmonic systems” Optics Express 21 (20),
23087- 23096 (2013).
[3] R. Hussain, D. Keene, N. Noginova, M. Durach, “Spontaneous emission of electric and magnetic dipoles in the vicinity of thin and thick metal”, arXiv preprint arXiv:1312.7023 (2014).
[4] Another paper written by our UGs will be provided.
Terminology You Need to Know: (You may consult Wikipedia for basic understanding)
Electric dipole
Magnetic dipole
Spontaneous emission
Plasmons
Image dipole approximation
Emission spectra
Excitation spectra
Students are expected to learn the basic functions of instrumentation used in this project.

Project: 2
Led by: Rabia Hussain, Soheila Mashhadi
Advisor: Dr. M. Noginov, Dr. N. Noginova
Title: Fabrication and characterization of plasmonic metallic grating structures
Objective
Plasmonic grating structures are a good choice for a range of applications, varying from photonics to biotechnology. They are also useful for plasmon excitation, eliminating the need for prism-based excitation techniques ( Kretschmann and Otto configurations).
In this project, we will use the interference lithographic method to fabricate such structures. Additionally, we will characterize them to study their plasmon resonance behavior.
Literature:
[1] PhD thesis available online: Plasmonic Gratings for Sensing Devices, Author:
Gianluca Ruffato, http://paduaresearch.cab.unipd.it/4627/1/tesi_dottorato_110131.pdf
[2 ] Large-area metallic photonic crystal fabrication with interference lithography and dry etching, DOI: 10.1007/s00340-005-1817-2
Terminology You Need to Know: (You may consult Wikipedia for basic understanding)
Interference pattern
Surface plasmons
Plasmon resonance
Lithography
Photoresist
Laser interference lithography
Students are expected to learn the basic functions of instrumentation used in this project.

Project: 3
Led by: Vincent Rono
Advisor: Dr. N. Noginova
Title: Photoinduced plasmon-related electric effects in thin films and nanostructures
Objective
This study examines the coupling between photons, plasmons and electrons in plasmonic structures. Recent advances in plasmonics, the area of photonics dealing with optical excitations in metal nanostructures, show great promise for future electronics. Plasmonic nanocircuits allow the combination of nanoscale size with optical speed of operation. In our research, we concentrate on the effects of coupling between photons, plasmons and electrons, which can provide ways to incorporate plasmonic elements in electronic circuits or control them electrically. During this experimental research, students will participate in studies of photoinduced plasmon-related electric effects in thin films and nanostructures of different geometry and composition.
Literature:
[1] “Electro-optics interaction imaging in active plasmonic devices” http://www.opticsinfobase.org/ome/fulltext.cfm?uri=ome-4-3-424&id=279304
[2] “Plasmon Drag Effect in Metal Nanostructures” http://www.opticsinfobase.org/abstract.cfm?uri=CLEO_QELS-2013-QM4C.4
[3] “Photon Drag Effect in Nanostructured Plasmonic Films” http://www.opticsinfobase.org/abstract.cfm?uri=QELS-2011-QThC4
Terminology You Need to Know: (You may consult Wikipedia for basic understanding)
Surface plasmons
Plasmonics
Photon drag effect
Polariton
Polarization
Surface Plasmon Polariton (SPP)
S – Polarization
P-Polarization
TM Polarization
Conductive epoxy
Nanostructured materials
Students are expected to learn the basic functions of instrumentation used in this project.

Project: 4
Led by: Olivia Penrose
Advisor: Dr C.E. Bonner
Title: Cyclic voltammetry (CV) of Au and Ag layers on ITO/Glass
Objective
A unique property of metamaterials is their ability to influence the rate of photophysical and possibly chemical reactions. Physical responses depend upon the density of states of the participating species. Metamaterials demonstrate states with a large optical density, and photo-chemical process rates, such as photodecomposition, increase in the presence of such materials, following a Fermi Golden
Rule dependence. In parallel, the simplest chemical reaction is the transfer of an electron, and according to Marcus theory, the rate of an electron transfer reaction is dependent upon the density of electronic states of the participating electrode. We use cyclic voltammetry to measure the enhancement of these electron transfer rates on the surface of a metamaterial.
Cyclic voltammetry is a very versatile electrochemical technique which allows one to probe the mechanics of redox and transport properties of a system in solution.
This is accomplished with a three electrode arrangement, whereby the potential relative to some reference electrode is scanned at a working electrode while the resulting current flowing through a counter (or auxiliary) electrode is monitored in a static solution. The technique is ideally suited for a quick search of redox couples present in a system; once located, a couple may be characterized by more careful analysis of the cyclic voltammogram.
Literature:
[1] Eckermann, A. et al. Coord. Chem. Rev. 2010 , 254 (15-16): 1769-1802.
[2] Laviron, E. J Electroanal. Chem. 1979, 101, 19-28.
Terminology You Need to Know: (You may consult Wikipedia for basic understanding)
Oxidation
Reduction
Anode
Cathode
Redox couple
Reference electrode
Working electrode
Counter electrode
Students are expected to learn the basic functions of instrumentation used in this project.

Project: 5
Led by: Carla McKinney
Advisor: Dr S.M. Black
Title: Tailoring of frontier orbitals to advance renewable energy research
Objective
Interactions between electromagnetic radiation and matter have tremendous implications for science, engineering and technology. The earth receives 180 PW of energy from the sun, mostly in the form of visible light. About half of it is reflected back to space, but the other half reaches our planet’s surface. Developing an inexpensive, flexible way to capture and transform this energy into usable forms will revolutionize the way we live. Silicon solar cell panels have done half of the job. They fail because of their cost and challenging mechanical properties. Organic compounds offer an interesting alternative to silicon due to their versatility in production methods, properties and applications. There are many challenges in developing an organic solar cell, and researchers tackle them one or a few at a time. In our group you will use electronic structure modeling software to identify environmental factors that influence the ability of organic compounds to absorb light and transform it in electrical energy.
Literature:
[1] http://www.thenbs.com/topics/environment/articles/polymerPhotovoltaics.asp
[2] http://cleantechnica.com/2014/02/07/efficient-organic-solar-cells-coming-soonthanks-new-research-charge-separation/
[3] http://depts.washington.edu/cmditr/modules/opv/opv_introduction.html
Then move to attached papers:
[4] Mind the Gap. Bredas, J.L. mater. Horiz., 2014, 1, 17-19. http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2014/mh/c3mh00098b
[5] Toward High-Performance Organic−Inorganic Hybrid Solar Cells: Bringing Conjugated
Polymers and Inorganic Nanocrystals in Close Contact, Ming He,†,‡ Feng Qiu,‡ and Zhiqun
Lin*, J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2013, 4, 1788-1796.
[6] Electronic and optical properties of families of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: a systematic density functional theory study. G. Malloci, G. Cappellini, G. Mulas, A. Mattoni. arXiv:1104.2978
[cond-mat.mtrl-sci]
Terminology You Need to Know: (You may consult Wikipedia for basic understanding)
Photovoltaics
Organic solar cell
Heterojunction
Molecular Orbital
Photoexcitation
Density Functional Theory
Basis Set (Chemistry)
Students will use computational tools.

Project: 6
Led by: Srujana Prayakarao
Advisor: Dr M A Noginov
Title: Characterization of a Vanadium Dioxide Tunable Hyperbolic Metamaterial
Objective
Hyperbolic metamaterials are composite materials engineered to have a drastic impact on the propagation of electromagnetic waves inside the material. Recent research has shown the potential of certain Vanadium Dioxide (VO2) composites to become temperatureswitchable hyperbolic metamaterials that “turn off” at high temperature due to a phase change in the VO2 crystal structure. Understanding the nature of this switching behavior could allow for the development of new sensors and photonic computing devices. Electrical and Optical properties around the switching temperature of this material are characterized using resistivity measurements and optical spectrometry. Both Electrical and Optical findings suggest that the certain samples of the material transition, albeit more slowly than expected. Additionally, it is found that the best switching behavior occurs in VO2 films created by Pulsed Laser Deposition at high oxygen partial pressures and high temperatures.
Students are expected to learn the basic functions of instrumentation used in this project.