Decree No. 220 by the Government of the Russian Federation "On measures of engagement of leading scientists in Russian educational institutions of higher education, scientific foundations and state research centers of the Russian Federation"

(Russian MegaGrants)

The main objectives of Decree No. 220 implementation:

• Attraction world-renowned scientists
• Creation of research laboratories competitive with the world leading laboratories
• Promotion of young people involvement in science and education
• Creation of sustainable contacts with leading scientific schools abroad
• Transfer of promising developments to the industry

Grant No.: 14.Y26.31.0011

Execution period: 2017 – 2021

Grant project: Linear and nonlinear optical effects at nanolevel to create new generation biosensors

Executor: International Laboratory for Hybrid Photonic Nanomaterials, Institute for Engineering and Physics in Biomedicine (PhysBio)

Research team leader: Yuriy Rakovich (Ireland, Republic of Belarus)

Project objective: Conducting in-depth research on the interaction of light and matter at the nanoscale, in particular at the nano-bio-interface.

We have analyzed main mechanisms of interaction between light and substance at biointerfaces as well as in strong connection mode.

Our researchers have defined the main strategies for developing photonic and plasmonic structures, strategies for developing hybrid nanostructures and nanoprobes based on combinations of quantum radiators (quantum dots and molecules of biologically active colorants).

We have developed an adjustable microresonator system to create hybrid «light-substance» states and to control biological and chemical properties of molecules using light. A patent application has been filed for «A method for modification of parameters of molecules in a sample and a device for implementing the method».

We have developed a method for forming hybrid nanomaterials based on electrostatic interaction of particles with opposite charges and molecular aggregates as well as a method for creating hybrid nanostructures based on quantum dots and plasmonic nanoparticles that exist in the form of multilayer thin films.

Our team has analyzed optical effects caused by interaction between excitonic and plasmonic states in hybrid nanostructures.

We have shown possibility of controlling extent of fission and depth of spectral hole by changing dimensions of plasmonic nanoparticales.

We have studied spectrums of absorption and luminescence of hybrid materials consisting of semiconductive quantum dots and purple membranes containing bacteriorhodopsin, a protein that is sensitive to light. Our staff have determined efficiency rates of Förster resonance energy transfer that occurs at nano-bio-interface.

Our team has developed and examined spectral characteristics of samples consisting of metallic nanoparticles of different dimensions and shapes (spheres, rods), molecular J aggregates with high extinction rates and biotine molecules.

We have demonstrated possibility of controlled modification of shape of absorption band in developed samples both by inductive photoabsorption, and by Rabi fission effect which is a direct result of interaction between excitonic and plasmonic systems of hybrid samples in strong connection mode.

Implemented results of research:

We have created a microresonator consisting of flat and convex glass that provides plane-parallelis in at least one point on the surface of a convex glass minimizing mode volume. Tuning length of microresonators with nanometer precision is achieved by a piezo device with high precision positioning. Utilization of such a device opens new possibilities to study impact of effect of strong and weak connection on Raman scattering, speed of chemical reaction and electric conductivity, laser generation, non-radiative energy transfer as well as other physical, chemical and biological functions.

Education and career development:

We have organized internships for the Laboratory's young scientists in the Center for Material Physics of the Spanish National Research Council and the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne (France).

The leading scientist has read 5 lectures as a guest researcher at international conferences in Russia and abroad. We have conducted 9 seminars and 1 lecture for undergraduate, postgraduate students and employees of the Laboratory.

Organizational and structural changes:

We have created the «excellent cluster» made of two laboratories (with the International Laboratory for Hybrid Photonic Nanomaterials and the Laboratory of nano-bioengineering of the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute). The cluster specializes in plasmonic and excitonic nanostructures and their applications in optoelectronics and biomedicine.

Other results:

We have conducted the 2nd International Symposiumm «Physics, technics and technology in biomedicine» with support from the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia (2017).

Collaborations:

• Saint Petersburg National Research University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics (Russia)
• University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne (France): joint research projects, scientific publications, exchange of scientific and technical information and research result, joint seminars, conferences, symposiums, exchange of students and researchers
• University of the Basque Country (Spain): joint research