Deterministic Fabrication of Fluorescent Nanostructures Featuring Distinct Optical Transitions.

Area of Science:

• Nanophotonics
• Materials Science
• Optical Engineering

Background:

• Precise integration of fluorescent emitters with nanostructures is crucial for hybrid photonic systems.
• Existing methods for localizing emitters often involve multiple steps or lack scalability.
• Controlling emitter position at the nanoscale is essential for advanced optical functionalities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel, scalable, and deterministic method for fabricating fluorescent nanostructures.
• To enable precise positioning and shaping of emitters within nanophotonic architectures.
• To explore the potential of europium complexes in electron-beam lithography for photonic applications.

Main Methods:

• Utilized electron-beam lithography to directly pattern a mixture of negative-tone resist and europium complex (Eu(TTA)3).
• Achieved precise control over the shape and position of fluorescent structures with feature sizes around 100 nm.
• Confirmed the preservation of fluorescence and optical transitions in Eu(TTA)3 after electron-beam exposure.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated a deterministic fabrication process for fluorescent nanostructures with nanoscale precision.
• Showcased the compatibility of europium complexes with electron-beam lithography without compromising optical properties.
• Successfully created well-defined fluorescent structures suitable for nanophotonic integration.

Conclusions:

• The presented method offers a scalable and efficient approach for fabricating hybrid nanophotonic systems.
• This technique facilitates the study of local density of optical states and the development of fluorescent polymer materials.
• Opens new avenues for creating light-emitting dielectric metasurfaces and other advanced photonic devices.