Seminar - Two dimensional far-field superlens

ECS PhD Proposal

Speaker: Hamish Colenso
Time: Friday 17th February 2017 at 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: AM 104, 104 Alan MacDiarmid

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Abstract

This project aims to develop a far-field superlens (FSL) capable of subwavelength imaging in two dimensions. To achieve this a one dimensional FSL will be designed and created, followed by an experimental FSL to provide imaging in two dimensions. A sample delivery system will be designed and created to integrate the FSL and object to be imaged. The experimental FSL will then be characterised to determine its capabilities. Finally a microscopy system will be implemented to provide integrated FSL and microscope imaging capabilities. The deposition of silver (Ag) thin films is a critical step in the fabrication of an FSL and to date such films have been created and their performance has proven to be inferior to Ag thin films created with a germanium (Ge) wetting layer. Electron beam lithography (EBL) has been conducted at the University of Canterbury (UC) and it has been discovered that the thin films degrade significantly before they can be patterned using EBL. This degradation prevents EBL patterning. To prevent this degradation an alumina (Al2O3) capping layer has been proposed and deposition methods for the Al2O3 have been perfected. The next step is to use these fabrications methods to develop a FSL. Once the FSL has been developed it requires calibration against known objects. To achieve this an integration method must be developed so that the FSL and object can be combined to allow imaging of the object. A polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) reusable holder is being developed for this. The initial FSL will only image in a single dimension. The next step will be to develop an experimental FSL design, using two dimensional grating structures, that enables two dimensional imaging. This will allow an area of an object to be imaged at once and allow a practical FSL design to be realised. Finally a microscope will be implemented to allow sub-wavelength images to be acquired combined with super-wavelength images. These images will then be analysed to assess the imaging performance of the FSLs to confirm sub-wavelength performance in two dimensions and therefore the achievement of all project objectives. The research goals of this project will be met and the work will add to research knowledge by implementing a new FSL design which enables FSL reuse, increases FSL longevity and expands FSL capabilities into two dimensions.

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