Tailored light

Friedrich Schiller University Jena and the Australian National University in Canberra are continuing their collaboration in the International Research Training Group entitled »Tailored metasurfaces and metasystems for active light control« (META-ACTIVE). The German Research Foundation (DFG) is funding the research training group for a further four and a half years with around 5.5 million euros.

The focus is on active metasurfaces: nanostructured materials that can generate, prove and dynamically control light. In the second funding phase, the college is expanding its research programme to include new applications, for example in quantum sensor technology, space technology and beam shaping in the extreme ultraviolet. At the same time, the training of internationally networked young scientists remains a central goal.

Metasurfaces as a key technology in photonics

Active metasurfaces are regarded as a promising platform for next-generation photonics. They can specifically amplify and control the interaction of light with matter on the nanoscale. This opens up new possibilities for compact light sources, programmable optical components, quantum technologies and sensitive sensors.

»META-ACTIVE combines curiosity-driven basic research with a clear view of future applications«, says Prof. Dr Isabelle Staude from the University of Jena, spokesperson of the research group. »In the second funding phase, we want to further develop active metasurfaces into comprehensive optical metasystems and at the same time train young researchers in an exceptionally international environment.«

Research between Jena and Canberra

In Jena, scientists from the University of Jena are primarily involved in META-ACTIVE, along with the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology and the Fraunhofer Institute of Applied Optics and Precision Engineering. On the Australian side, 16 researchers from the Australian National University are involved. The research training group is headed by Prof. Dr Isabelle Staude in Jena and Prof. Dr Dragomir Neshev in Canberra.

In terms of content, the second funding phase builds on the research training group's previous results. For example, the researchers have succeeded in designing tiny optical structures in such a way that they can generate, shape and control light in a targeted manner. Such metasurfaces could help to develop particularly compact light sources, more sensitive sensors or new components for quantum technologies in the future.

International training at the heart of the centre

In addition to research, the qualification of researchers in the early stages of their careers takes centre stage. The existing dual PhD agreement between Jena and Canberra has helped to establish common training standards and build a closely networked transcontinental Graduate School. Joint supervision, binational activities, courses on key competences and longer research stays abroad are still planned.