Foreword

Dear visitor: This webpage contains information about my scientific and academic activities as part of the faculty of the Physics and Astronomy Department and the Institute for Advanced Materials, Nanoscience and Technology of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

My Research interests have been centered around light interaction with matter and more specifically on the optical properties of smart/active materials. I recently joined the UNC faculty with the goal of developing a strong research group in the area of Nanoscale Optical Materials. 

Motivation and research plans:

One of the greatest challenges presented in nanoscale science is the understanding and control of electromagnetic wave propagation within nanostructured solids. Bridging the physics of the electromagnetic field with the forefront of nanoscale materials, new phenomena and understanding are emerging in this exciting area. 

The potential impact of nano-optics on modern nanotechnology, photonics and optical communications can not be overestimated. It has numerous applications in novel optical technologies such as nanolithography, high density optical data storage, photochemistry on a nano and molecular scale, materials imaging and surface modification with subwavelength lateral resolution, and inclusive quantum computing. The ability to fabricate, in a controlled fashion, nanoscale photonic structures in materials with interesting optical functionality is without doubt essential to allow us access to all these nano-optical phenomena.

I am particularly interested in materials with properties that combine modulation of their optical response by an electromagnetic field, or an environmental variable as pressure or temperature, in one word, “smart materials”.  My current interest is on elucidate the size-scale and photonic dependent properties of gasochromic oxides, photonic solar cells, surface enhanced Raman substrates and hyperlens. 

Please visit our research group page to learn more.

                                                                                  R.Lopez