Theory and Design of Complex Nanostructures for the Control of Light Scattering and Absorption

About the Project

Electromagnetic scattering is the fundamental mechanism by which light allows us to perceive the world. At the same time, scattering from particles sets a fundamental limit on our ability to transmit and receive information using optical beams. This project addresses this dual role of scattering through two complementary research directions.

In the first part, we will develop theoretical tools to determine the radiative properties of complex optical sources. Using these tools, we will identify light beams that minimize scattering from particles and are therefore optimal for information transfer. This analysis will span both the classical regime of intense light beams and the quantum regime, where only a few photons are present in each beam. In the second part, we will apply machine-learning techniques to design two-dimensional nanoparticle distributions that generate optical beams with minimal scattering.

The theoretical component of the project will primarily be carried out at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland, while the machine-learning and design phase will be conducted in collaboration with INRIA in Sophia Antipolis, France. By the end of the project, the student will have gained strong expertise in theoretical optics and artificial intelligence, placing them at the forefront of contemporary research, as well as valuable experience working in a multidisciplinary and international research environment.