Synthesis and characterization of chiral metallic nanoparticles aiming random laser application

• Grant number: 24/03266-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: August 15, 2024
• End date: February 14, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Sidney José Lima Ribeiro
• Grantee: Roberta Silva Pugina
• Supervisor: Stephane Parola
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: École Normale Supérieure, Lyon (ENS), France
• Associated to the scholarship: 22/07636-7 - FLEXIBLE PHOTONIC DEVICES BASED ON SILK PROTEINS, BP.PD

Abstract

Photonics rapidly evolved after the first laser development in the early 60s. Since then, this research field has been using photons to perform electronics functions, such as telecommunications and information processing. Parallel to the photonics development, optical devices have been obtained from materials with chemical and physical properties that can be adjusted, resulting in specific and unique sensors, lasers, or waveguides functions. The functionality of these devices can often be achieved through changes in shape and/or structure of already known materials. Concerning random laser emission, plasmonic nanoparticles have already been explored as a scattering medium since the surface characteristics of these materials can intensify random laser emission due to the electric field and scattering generated. However, much can still be explored in the use of chiral nanoparticles, capable of promoting emission with circular polarization. To obtain random laser emitting devices with circular polarization control, chiral metallic nanoparticles must be prepared, and these systems studied in depth in order to obtain high magnitude signals in circular dichroism. The materials to be obtained in this project will be systematically characterized regarding their structural, mechanical, and spectroscopic properties, and tested aiming at their possible photonic applications.