"New Phystech": selected studies

This is a selection of five scientific papers by representatives New Physics and Technology ITMOpublished in Western magazines and Russian-language media. We share our experience and discuss the results.

Retain light in a nanocavity for a record long time

New Phystech · Science · N + 1 · SpaceDaily

A group of physicists at the New Physics and Technology Institute, together with colleagues from the Australian National University in Canberra and Koryo University in Seoul, presented the world’s first nanometer resonator, which holds light for more than two hundred periods of light wave oscillations, about a year ago. Previously, such results on a small scale were unattainable in practice, but about three years ago they were theoretically substantiated by scientists from ITMO University, the V.I. A.F. Ioffe and Australian National University. Last year, it came to the implementation, and then the development of a device that effectively doubles the wavelength of the input light.

The technology is likely to become the basis for new communications, optical devices and sensors. In our blog scientists who took part in the project share insights on the choice of form factor and the ratio of the diameter to the height of the resonator. Plus – they are discussing the possibilities for the development of theoretical and practical branches of this work.

Synthesis of calcium carbonate particles for drug delivery

New Phystech · ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering · Kommersant

This is a joint work of experts from the New Physicotechnical Institute, specialists from the First Med University of St. Petersburg and Tel Aviv University. Scientists analyzed the growth conditions of calcium carbonate particles, conducted tests for biocompatibility and studied the ability of their capture by a tumor cell, depending on the shape and morphology of such particles.

Such means of delivery of bioactive substances are considered promising. They do not require significant production costs and are degraded in the intracellular space.

Perovskite components for photonic computers

New Phystech · Small · Kommersant

Together with colleagues from the Far Eastern Federal University, our scientists managed to carry out a series of very successful experiments on working with perovskite. The preparation of the material was on the side of the Novy Phystech, and its processing was carried out using a femtosecond laser. Due to the expertise of FEFU specialists in the field of nanostructuring, it was possible to cut through the perovskite and avoid overheating. Plus – to apply grooves in a few nanometers and preserve the optical properties of the material.

These results indicate the prospects for the development of new types of data recording with enhanced capabilities for reading and protection – for example, in the form of microscopic QR codes that are readable when illuminated from the desired angle.
Additional options are emerging in the production of solar cells and the manufacture of solar cells in various colors. The technology is also suitable for the mass production of nanolasers – their printing on integrated circuits of optical chips.

How to stir liquids with light

New Phystech · Advanced Science · RIA News

We are talking about the infrastructure for the development of new drugs, rapid diagnosis of diseases and biological research. In situations where these problems are solved with the help of “laboratories on a chip”, special methods of controlling the diffusion of molecules are required. Moreover, not only its overall speed, but also the course of a certain part of the microreactor vessel. Our scientists and specialists from the Czech Academy of Sciences have taken up this topic. Together they presented a solution consisting of a nanoantenna in the form of a silicon cube a couple of hundred nanometers in size and gold nanoparticles. The first is responsible for controlling the light wave and generates an “optical vortex”, and gold – mixes the reagents, allowing diffusion to be enhanced tenfold in the desired location.

Photo: Phil Hearing. Source: Unsplash.com

Transparent or IR reflective material

New Phystech · Optica · Naked Science

Metasurfaces, consisting of elements of complex shapes, allow you to control light no worse than bulk materials. However, their properties can only be established at the time of production. A team from ITMO and the University of Exeter was able to get around this limitation. Scientists have proposed a metamaterial made using electron lithography from a sandwich-like base consisting of a silicon substrate, a material with the phrase memory (GeSbTe) and another layer with silicon sputtering. The final product changes the level of transparency without mechanical influences – for this, a pulsed laser is used.

Such developments will make it possible to start designing optical devices of a new type, such as special IR lidars and ultra-thin lenses for lenses of mobile gadgets.

Other materials of the New Physics and Technology on Habré: