Set in the Catalan Institute of Nano-technology (ICN) in Barcelona and led by Prof. Clivia Sotomayor Torres, the Phononic and Photonic Nanostructures group (P2N) investigates phonon/pho-ton/electron interactions in nano-scale condensed matter underpinned by research in nanofabrication, especially nanoimprint lithography. The long-term aim is to develop new information technology concepts where information processing is achieved with multiple state variables.

Research is carried out on nano-scale thermal and acoustic effects in both confined systems and phononic crystals; on methods to control the exciton-plasmon coupling targeting enhanced light extraction in light sources; and on the optimisation of the optical gain of printed polymer-based photonic structures.

In order to facilitate the uptake of nano-technology innovations by industry, the group is advancing nanoimprint lithography towards the realisation of 3D nano- and hybrid structures. For the latter, efforts are focused on acoustic-field assisted self-assembly of nano- and mesoscopic particles, to realise heterostructures and to deposit them selectively on patterned and or surface-functionalised substrates.