Laboratory for Hybrid Nanophotonics and Optoelectronics

The main scientific results in 2021 are the enhancement of the parameters of the developed optoelectronic devices (light-emitting diodes, solar cells and bifunctional devices) both on glass and flexible substrates. The nanostructures implemented in the developed devices have demonstrated an improvement of absorption of light falling onto them from a solar light simulator, which is important for increasing the generated photocurrent, as well as for the radiative recombination velocity, which is useful for the improvement of electroluminescence. To achieve these objectives, we have synthesised organo-inorganic materials and integrated them with various resonance nanostructures made of standard semiconductors, as well as collected exhaustive data on their optical properties. The produced materials and nanostructures were optimised to an extent that allowed to achieve the induced radiation mode. The encapsulation of the produced devices has confirmed the possibility of significant extension of their operational life.

The possibility of the creation of tandem devices has been surveyed.

As a result of this work, new methods have been proposed for the creation of highly-efficient optoelectronic devices (including bifunctional and tandem devices) based on organo-inorganic materials with embedded nanostructures, which allow to efficiently control light at the nanoscale (i. e. in thin films). This will find its applications in portable light sources, self-charging displays and signs.

Education and career development:

On the grounds of the Laboratory for Hybrid Nanophotonics and Optoelectronics, case studies are conducted within the master's degree programme «Nanophotonics and metamaterials» of ITMO University. The head of the Laboratory conducts the annual international scientific School for young scientists SLALOM (https://slalom.itmo.ru/).

The Laboratory is actively engaging in the work with interns – senior-year school students, graduates of physical and mathematical schools of Saint Petersburg (Physical-Mathematical Schools Nos. 239, 30, Physico-Technical School), winners of academic competitions, participants of the «Academy of Talents» programme. We are conducting both lectures on advanced materials for thin-film and flexible electronics as well as practice and internships of school students in the Laboratory under the supervision of postgraduates master's degree students working in the Laboratory.

Employees of the Laboratory have developed a case study course in advanced optoelectronics for master's degree students within the educational programme «Quantum and hybrid materials», within which students can directly participate in the production of an experimental sample of a thin-film device – a solar cell and a light-emitting diode, as well as comprehensively characterise them.

Apart from that, the Laboratory partucipates in the project-oriented and educational activities for the bachelor's degree school of the Faculty of Physics and Technology, offering consulting on topics related to perovskites and novel materials.

Collaborations:

• Australian National University (Australia): joint research, student exchange.

• Far Eastern Federal University (Russia): joint research, collaborative academic events.

• University of Rome «‎Tor Vergata» (Italy): joint research, student exchange.

• The City University of New York (USA): student exchange, joint research.

• Aalto University (Finland): joint research.