High Performance Meta-optical Systems Based on Inverse Design

Speaker: Jonathan Fan
Affiliation: Stanford University

Abstract:  In this talk, I will show that ultra-high efficiency silicon metasurfaces can be realized using inverse design.  These devices are created using adjoint-based topology optimization, and they possess non-intuitive layouts that enable new diffractive optics phenomena compared to the current state-of-the-art.  A theoretical analysis of the supermodes supported by these devices elucidates new underlying physical mechanisms that make high performance beam deflection possible.  To demonstrate the power and versatility of our design approach, I will present devices that can efficiently deflect light to extreme angles, and devices that support different responses as a function of wavelength.  I will also discuss how these concepts can generalize to aperiodic devices.  We envision that optical devices based on inverse design will generalize to multi-functional, high performance metasurfaces.

Biography:  Jonathan Fan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at Stanford University, where he is researching new design methodologies and materials approaches to nanophotonic systems.  He received his bachelor’s degree with highest honors from Princeton University and his doctorate from Harvard University, where he worked with Federico Capasso.  He is the recipient of the Air Force Young Investigator Award, Sloan Foundation Fellowship in Physics, Packard Foundation Fellowship, and the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, which is the highest honor bestowed by the United States government on outstanding scientists and engineers in the early stages of their research careers.

For more information, contact Prof. Ben Williams (bswilliams@ucla.edu)

Date/Time:
Date(s) - Nov 03, 2017
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Location:
E-IV Tesla Room #53-125
420 Westwood Plaza - 5th Flr., Los Angeles CA 90095