Start of METAPIC project building metasurface pixels

Together with collaborators, AMOLF group leader Femius Koenderink has received funding for the METAPIC project from the Photon Delta call of the Dutch Research Council (NWO).

Research goal

The researchers involved in the METAPIC project work on technology that can shape light extremely fast and with high precision. Their goal is to build tiny surfaces, so-called metasurface pixels, that can sit on a single chip and quickly change how they direct light. Each metasurface pixel receives light from waveguides on the chip, and these waveguides can adjust the brightness and phase of the light at very high speed.

Femius Koenderink at AMOLF. Photo credits: Floris Krelage

To make this fast and efficient modulation of metasurfaces through integrated photonic circuits possible the researchers will combine new electro-optic materials with waveguides that lose as little light as possible. Together with industry partners like Rapid Photonics and PlanOPSim, they aim to create a low-loss and scalable system for dynamic control of light. This technology could have an impact on fields such as measurement science, LiDAR, adaptive optics and VR/AR.

Femius is pleased with the launch of the project. He says: “The exciting vision behind METAPIC is led by Imran Avci, an expert in photonic integration at VU Amsterdam. We have had the pleasure of hosting Imran at AMOLF on a weekly basis, which has led to this joint research program. Together, we will push the technology readiness level of metasurfaces by integrating them with photonic circuits and electro-optic modulation.”

Read more about research activities in the Resonant Nanophotonics group of Femius Koenderink.

What's happening

Most recent news items

All news items

People and recognition

Four PhD candidates close their AMOLF chapter

Four PhD students defended their thesis and are about to take the next steps in their career. Congratulations to Colin Meulblok (Mechanical Metamaterials), Francesca Scalerandi (Hybrid Nanosystems), Vashist Gangigude Ramesh (Interacting Photons), and Parisa Omidvar (Hypersmart Matter). We wish you all the best in your next steps!

Read news item

People and recognition

Joining forces to study perovskite interfaces

AMOLF group leaders Professor Wiebke Albrecht and Professor Bruno Ehrler have received an NWO ENW-M2 grant for their joint research project, The Dynamic Atomic Interface between Halide Perovskites and Metals. The insights gained will pave the way for sustainable, high-performance solar energy and information technology. Wiebke and Bruno will each hire a PhD student for this project. The grant amounts to €800.000.

Read news item

People and recognition

Wim Noorduin and Arian van Asten presenting their scientific journey

On October 8, Professor Wim Noorduin and his collaborator Professor Arian van Asten (University of Amsterdam) presented their scientific journey in a video to the audience at the ‘Avond van Wetenschap en Maatschappij’. They did so alongside the other nominees for the Huibregtsen Prize.

Read news item

Research highlights

Natural phenomena ‘hyperuniform disorder’ enables highly efficient, thin silicon solar cells

Silicon solar panels are rigid and heavy, and many rooftops cannot support them. This creates a need for thin, flexible solar cells that can be integrated into building materials. However, making silicon solar cells thinner makes it harder to trap light inside the material. Researchers in the 3D Photovoltaics group found a fascinating way to overcome this challenge using a phenomenon called hyperuniform disorder. They publish their findings in the journal ACS Photonics.

The researchers were able to make highly efficient silicon solar cell materials that are 30 times thinner than conventional ones. They managed to do this by integrating a layer of nanometer sized structures on top of the material. Up close, this pattern looks random, but it is remarkably when you step back: no clumps, no gaps, and no repeating pattern. This is called hyperuniform disorder (or HUD).

Read news item