This proposal was received in response to Nanoscale Science and Engineering initiative, NSF 04-043, category NIRT. The Divisions of Chemistry (CHE), Materials Research (DMR), and Physics (PHY) are supporting Mark I. Stockman of Georgia State University, Moungi G. Bawendi and Keith A. Nelson of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Hrvoje Petek of the University of Pittsburgh in a research effort as a Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Team (NIRT). Their work will focus on developing devices and methods enabling the manipulation of electromagnetic fields at the nanometer scale. Specifically, the group will work on developing a structural element (a portal) that will enable a shaped, femtosecond laser pulse to individually address single quantum dots in proximity to the portal. The NIRT brings together a multidisciplinary team that can address all aspects of the project from quantum dot synthesis to femtosecond coherent control and time-resolved plasmonic imaging to theoretical modeling and design. The results of this research should contribute broadly to nanotechnology and nanoscience by enabling direct access to the nanoscale with optical methods that have long been restricted to micron length scales. This work will provide the participating graduate and postdoctoral researchers with opportunities to develop expertise in a unique combination of methods in modern optics and advanced materials research: ultrafast optics, coherent control, plasmonics, nanomaterials fabrication and design, and sophisticated modeling. Moreover, high school and undergraduate research students will be introduced to the work of this NIRT project through expansion of existing efforts at MIT and the REU program at University of Pittsburgh.
