Nanophotonics and nanoelectronics

With the advancing miniaturization of electronic components in computer chips and light-emitting diodes, the demands on the materials used continue to grow. The nanophotonics and nanoelectronics research area investigates the natural science fundamentals behind how electrons move in small nanostructures and the impact of restricting freedom of movement on the material’s electronic and optical properties. Individual nanoscopic wires are linked, for example, and the current flow studied under microscopic illumination. Or ultrafast electronic processes are examined that can be initiated by ultrashort illumination with laser pulses. Investigations are always accompanied by theoretical simulations based on quantum mechanical models.