IT software to model nanostructures
Scientists at Charles University in Prague will use EU funds to develop computer software to model the electromagnetic response of nanostructures. They aim to use the information gleaned about these structures to design novel artificial metamaterials such as magnetophotonic crystals, and other devices including waveguides and microcavities. The 'Electromagnetic and spin wave interactions in magnetic nanostructure-based meta-materials and devices' (Emswim) research team explained how it will use 'graphical, user-friendly software based on the numerical algorithm' to create a 'commercial scatterometric system'. It hopes to achieve this aim by working in collaboration with the Japanese screen media technology company Dainippon Screen. The scientists in Prague will take advantage of the company's magneto-optical spectroscopy and other optical, magneto-optical, and complementary magnetism- and surface-science techniques provided by collaborating laboratories in the Czech Republic, Germany, and Japan to create the new software. This collaboration is expected to develop a code that will be capable of proposing and analysing novel artificial metamaterials and devices based on periodic nanostructures. These should include better tuned moth-eye antireflective surfaces, wire-grid polarisers, grating phase plates, mode isolators, chromatic, spatial and other optical filters, waveguides, fibres, and microcavities.