PLAsmoNIc planar lenSeS for IMaging and Optics – PLANISSIMO

PLANISSIMO is an industrial research project whose objective is to mature fundamental concepts, based on plasmonic nanostructures, into a specific device, including fabrication technology, compatible with industrial application. PLANISSIMO scientific aim is to demonstrate the realization of planar, focusing and semi-reflecting lens or mirror based on plasmonic nanostructures, and to propose one or several technological processes to allow for nanostructuration at macroscopic scale. The industrial objective is to concurrence, thanks to a miniaturization technological breakthrough, optical systems currently embedded in vehicles. Several solutions can be envisaged to exploit properties of localized surface plasmon metallic nanostructures. Array of nanoparticles, arranged on a glass substrate, can induce a straight reflectivity spectrum peak centered at a wavelength depending on their shape, size and spacing. Focusing effect can then be obtained thanks to nanoparticle periodic or aperiodic positioning on the surface, like metamaterials, and by substrate optical properties modification (index gradient induced by implantation or etching). The project is built in order to theoretically and experimentally evaluate on small samples (typically 200x200µm²) different structure geometries, following required characteristics, and to propose technological scaling solutions for large samples (several cm²). The consortium is made of three partners: PSA will be in charge of quantified required characteristic delivery, taking into account needs and market, of device final characterization and of results valorization and exploitation; Institut Fresnel will realize the most of theoretical and design work, by progressively increasing complexity in home-made simulation tools, taking into account reflectivity, non-specular reflection and focusing effects. These design aspects will be developed in strong collaboration with IEF, also project manager, which will contribute to a part of simulation, and will be in charge of fabrication and small sample characterization. Iteratively, an optimized structure will be defined before to explore fabrication scaling (especially with “nanoimprint”), and to deliver large (1cm²) sample to PSA. Besides, data for fabrication strategy analysis will be collected, and possibly experimented, in order to propose one or several macroscopic scale nanofabrication processes for future industrial exploitation. In addition to usual scientific results communication, two original actions will be developed within the project: (1) interest of plasmonic structures for practical application will be evidenced to visitors at PSA thanks to a dedicated demonstrator bench developed within PLANISSIMO; (2) two partners of the project are involved in a formation “chair” including topics around plasmonics, which could favour transmission of the results and promotion of the field towards students.
This four years industrial research project is thus very ambitious and will contribute to technological transfer of an emerging nanotechnological research field toward industry.