Interactions between photons and plasmons have resulted in a hotbed of research activity in the physical sciences, notably through techniques such as white-light and Raman scattering, as evidenced by > 10,000 articles published in 2020. In this work, plasmon-mediated linear w…
Under the influence of a magnetic field, at low temperatures, charged particles confined in two-dimensional systems exhibit a remarkable range of macroscopic quantum phenomena such as the quantum Hall effects. A hallmark of these phenomena is the presence of unidirectional, topo…
The field of nanophotonics is a major research topic, as it offers potential solutions to important challenges, such as the creation of low power, high bandwidth interconnects or optical sensors. Within this field, resonant structures and slow light waveguides are used to improv…
This thesis describes a number of studies on organic semiconductors focused around using them as gain media for lasers. The photophysical properties of organic semiconductors are studied using a wide range of experimental techniques, allowing the evaluation of new materials and …
The two-photon absorption (TPA) coefficient is measured in indium phosphide (InP) using femtosecond pulses to be 45cm/GW at 1.32μm. Nanosecond pulses are subsequently used to find the free-carrier refractive index cross-section, σ_r, and the free-carrier absorption coefficient, …
This thesis exploits so called “Optical Eigenmodes” (OEi) in the focal plane of an optical system. The concept of OEi is introduced and the OEi operator approach is outlined, for which quadratic measures of the light field are expressed as real eigenvalues of an Hermitian operat…
Photonic Crystal structures have been heralded as a disruptive technology for the miniaturization of opto-electronic devices, offering as they do the possibility of guiding and manipulating light in sub-micron scale waveguides. Applications of photonic crystal guiding - the abil…
This thesis investigates the application of a variety of optical techniques for the manipulation of single cells and their local micro-environment. The methodologies developed provide enhanced control over a single cell under study affording exquisite spatial and temporal contro…
The field of optics and photonics enables several technologies including communication, bioimaging, spectroscopy, Ladars, microwave photonics and data processing [1-139]. The ability to use and manipulate large amounts of data is transforming many vital areas of society. The hig…
The objective of this thesis is to report on the design and fabrication of a claddingpumped rare-earth-doped ZBLAN fiber laser in a free-space linear cavity. The double-clad structure with high numerical aperture allows for efficient pumping of the gain medium. The influence of …