Nanophotonics is a new, cross-disciplinary field of science and technology. Nanophotonics focuses on the interaction between electromagnetic radiation and matter in nanoscopically small spaces.
At TUT, the field of nanophotonics includes research into semiconductor lasers, optoelectronic components and photochemistry. Semiconductor lasers and optoelectronic components are researched and developed at the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC), and photochemistry in the Photo- and Nanochemistry research group at the Department of Chemistry and Bioengineering.
Photochemistry
Led by Professors Helge Lemmetyinen and Nikolai Tkachenko, the Photo- and Nanochemistry research group works in the fields of ultra-fast spectroscopy and molecular photochemistry. The group's research focuses on complex structures formed by molecules and containing a variety of functional groups and components, which together generate new chemical phenomena and characteristics. The focal areas of the group's work are the synthesis of complex compounds, the self-organization of molecules, and photo-induced new phenomena. The group consists of approximately 20 researchers of nanotechnology. Relating to the research field the group has produced altogether 17 PhD Theses in TUT.
Group’s work has received wide international acclaim. Cooperation exists with Laboratories in USA and Europe, but is strongest with groups in the Universities of Osaka and Kyoto, due tot the several research projects supported by the Academy of Finland and Japan Society for the Promotion of Sciences. A running project (2010-13) is ”New materials for harvesting solar energy”, which is associated with applied research for fabrication of all-organic solar cells. The groups work towards alternative, environmentally friendly and low-cost energy production. The organic photocell contains all the elements of nanotechnology and nanochemistry.
National research projects supported by the Academy of Finland are “Electron transfer mechanism in excited state” (2008-11), “Advanced Photoactive Materials for Organic Solar Cells” (2010-13), and “Optically responsive sensor surfaces based on chlorophyll derivatives” (2010-13).
Semiconductor lasers and optoelectronics components
The Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) is the leading nanophotonics research centre in Finland. Research and industry in the field focus on, for example, nanoscopic structural elements for semiconductor and fibre lasers, ultra-fast optical pulses based on nanophotonics, diffractive optical elements for the manipulation of light, and cost-efficient nanoimprint technology.
The ultimate goal of research conducted at ORC is to transfer knowledge and technology to society. Practical applications include photonic crystals for uses such as waveguides, quantum-mechanical semiconductor mirrors for the production of femtosecond-scale laser pulses, and soft-embossing, i.e. nanoimprint technology, for the manufacture of surface reliefs such as photonic crystals and diffractive elements.
The Optoelectronics Research Centre participates actively in the research programmes financed by the Academy of Finland and Tekes. ORC’s aim is to further expand its participation in EU projects. ORC is currently coordinating one EU STREP project and is partner in another IP project. In addition, ORC has three Marie Curie (IRSES) projects concerning international research exchange between Europe and China and between Europe and Russia. The director of ORC is Pekka Savolainen.