Next-generation phase change materials for programmable integrated photonics

There is an enormous interest in next-generation optical devices that can be programmed or tuned after fabrication. Here I will present our efforts in combining state of the art materials research with advanced optical experiments. The focus is on two different materials platforms, namely low-loss chalcogenide phase change materials using the antimony compounds Sb2S3 and Sb2Se3, and the ultrafast non-volatile phase transitions in W-doped VO2. Antimony-based phase change materials hold potential for opening up truly low loss resonant nanophotonics and metasurface optics, and we are at the beginning of a materials development process to enable these materials in suitable electro-optical-thermal designed applications. Second, a highly controlled method for deposition of W:VO2 has been recently developed in our group using atomic layer deposition. We will show applications of these materials in new devices with tunable thermochromic phase transition down to room temperature.