DNA origami-templated Optical Metasurfaces and Quantum Light Sources

• Applicant: Irina Martynenko, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Synthesis and Properties of Functional Materials ; Biomaterials ; Optics, Quantum Optics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Plasmas
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 544260898

Molecular self-assembly approaches that offer atomic precision, ultimate design freedom, and scalability in nanofabrication are projected to have a major impact on the engineering of future artificial light-managing surfaces. Structural DNA nanotechnology, particularly DNA origami self-assembly, allows the high-yield synthesis of a wide variety of hybrid organic-inorganic optical nanostructures at a resolution unachievable by top-down fabrication. The integration of these nanostructures into real devices, however, remains a challenge. In my project, I propose to combine the assembly power of DNA origami with lithographic patterning to bridge the gap between the nanoscale arrangement of optical nanocomponents and macroscale fabrication. The goal of the project is to develop strategies for the self-assembly of complex DNA-programmable objects or continuous lattices on lithographically-patterned surfaces. Such DNA architectures serve as a template for the formation of hybrid organic-inorganic optical components in prototypical optical devices operating in the visible and near-infrared spectrum. Three research objectives will be accomplished. The first objective is to design DNA structures that grow from patterned surfaces and assemble into submicron-sized meta-atoms in scalable dielectric metasurfaces that exhibit a strong chiroptical response. Such metasurfaces with the unprecedented capability of polarization control have potential applications as ultra-compact integrated optical devices. The second objective is to produce photonic band gap materials by seeded growth of continuous three-dimensional DNA lattices from patterned surfaces. Such materials will host defined defects in freely selectable configurations and can be used as topologically protected waveguides. The third objective is to position individual DNA-embedded quantum emitters into designed nanophotonic environments on lithographically defined arrays on a chip surface, which can enable the fabrication of chip-integrated single photon sources for quantum communication. In the long term, our DNA origami-templated optical components could be used in integrated photonic circuits operating in the visible and near-infrared spectrum for biosensing and quantum communications.

• DFG Programme: Independent Junior Research Groups
• International Connection: China (Hong Kong)
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Dr. Andrey Rogach