Seminar by Prof. John Donegan 'Focussing light into the nanoworld- light scattering from planar structures'

Speaker:
Prof. John Donegan
Principal Investigator, School of Physics, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland

Seminar Title:
'Focussing light into the nanoworld- light scattering from planar structures'

Seminar Abstract:
Focussing light using microspheres produces near-field effects including sub-diffraction imaging and lithography. These microspheres also act as resonators when their size is close to the wavelength of the light. Formally, the interaction of light with such structures is described by Mie theory. While microsphere resonators are well studied in experiment and theory they are difficult to manipulate in practice. Our research has led us to working with planar dielectric structures. Such structures can be prepared by a large number of lithographic methods. A large variety of materials can be used in the fabrication and arrays of such structures can be made. In this talk, new results on light scattering studies on planar structures such as discs, squares and triangles will be shown. The case of the Cartesian oval will also be presented. Some potential applications of such structures in nanoscale systems will be presented.