Turning infrared into visible light with a scanning probe tip

CIC nanoGUNE Seminars

Speaker

Philippe Roelli, Guest Researcher
Nanooptics, CIC nanoGUNE

When

2023/05/15
11:00

Place

nanoGUNE seminar room, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, Donostia - San Sebastian

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Frequency conversion plays an essential role in electromagnetic signal processing by allowing detection and modulation of signals that are in a frequency band where suitable technologies are not widely accessible. A prominent example is that of electromagnetic waves in the infrared range. Their detection and processing remain a technological challenge despite their great interest for molecular analysis of gases, chemicals and biological tissues.

In this seminar I will present a novel approach, combining well-studied absorption and Raman scattering of molecular vibrations inside nanocavities, to the detection of infrared waves. By simultaneous mid-IR and visible illuminations of gold nanostructures, we could demonstrate the ?on-demand? emergence of upconverted infrared signals controlled by the tip?s nanomechanical positioning. Building on this proof-of-principle experiment, I will suggest several routes for the exploration of this conversion process in intriguing physical regimes, with applications both in vibrational spectroscopy and infrared imaging.