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RAP opportunity at Air Force Research Laboratory     AFRL

Machine-learning Driven Inverse Design of Optical Metasurfaces

Location

Materials & Manufacturing, RX/Photonic Materials

opportunity location
13.25.03.C0822 Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 454337817

Advisers

name email phone
Eric Scott Harper eric.harper.4@us.af.mil 937.671.9128

Description

The next generation of optical materials will utilize wavelength-scale geometric features to manipulate light in ways beyond the capability of traditional bulk optical materials to achieve required performance. Due to the near-infinite design space for such optical metamaterials, advanced optimization strategies coupled with computational electromagnetic simulation must be employed to accelerate the design process. Machine learning approaches have demonstrated the potential to overcome the limitations of ansatz and/or iterative approaches by inverting the design process, delivering optical metamaterial designs with desired properties. We will investigate the creation of machine learning models capable of designing optical metasurfaces. These models will optimize the design of the metasurface to achieve the desired performance. Candidates with backgrounds in optics, materials science & engineering, physics, or related fields with machine learning experience are highly encouraged to contact the adviser to discuss research opportunities.

[1] Inverse design of broadband highly reflective metasurfaces using neural networks, Eric S. Harper, Eleanor J. Coyle, Jonathan P. Vernon, Matthew S. Mills. Phys. Rev. B, 101, 195104, 4 May 2020. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.101.195104

[2] Artificial neural network discovery of a switchable metasurface reflector, Jonathan R. Thompson, Joshua A. Burrow, Piyush J. Shah, Jonathan Slagle, Eric S. Harper, Andre Van Rynbach, Imad Agha, Matthew S. Mills. Optics Express, 28, 17, 17 August 2020. DOI: 10.1364/OE.400360

[3] Particle swarm optimization of polymer-embedded broadband metasurface reflectors, Jonathan R. Thompson, Heidi D. Nelson-Quillin, Eleanor J. Coyle, Jonathan P. Vernon, Eric S. Harper, Matthew S. Mills. Optics Express, 29, 26, 20 December 2021. DOI: 10.1364/OE.444112

key words
Machine Learning; Metasurfaces; Metamaterials; Optics; Inverse Design; Material Science & Engineering; Optimization

Eligibility

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens
Level:  Open to Postdoctoral and Senior applicants

Stipend

Base Stipend Travel Allotment Supplementation
$80,000.00 $5,000.00

$3,000 Supplement for Doctorates in Engineering & Computer Science

Experience Supplement:
Postdoctoral and Senior Associates will receive an appropriately higher stipend based on the number of years of experience past their PhD.

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