Emerging Frontiers Nanophotonics Tender

Grant agreement ID: 101267998

DOI
10.3030/101267998

EC signature date
21 September 2026
Start date
1 February 2027
End date
31 January 2032
Funded under
European Research Council (ERC)
Objective

Light-matter interactions are governed by structural and electronic properties of media and properties of optical fields, such as wavelength, polarisation and intensity. The coupling between optical fields and electronic spin offers unique pathways for controlling information, enabling devices that extend beyond conventional charge-based electronics and have opened new avenues in ultrafast photonics and optoelectronics as well as quantum techLight-matter interactions are governed by structural and electronic properties of media and properties of optical fields, such as wavelength, polarisation and intensity. The coupling between optical fields and electronic spin offers unique pathways for controlling information, enabling devices that extend beyond conventional charge-based electronics and have opened new avenues in ultrafast photonics and optoelectronics as well as quantum technologies, where the manipulation of spin polarization by light or the detection of spin states via optical means is crucial. iSPINN will establish a metamaterial-based platform for controlling interactions between optical and electronic spins in both linear and nonlinear regimes. By exploiting altermagnetic materials which, despite having zero net magnetization, exhibit spin-split electronic band structures, and applying a complex-frequency approach through engineered temporal shaping of spin-carrying optical beams, we aim to enhance electron–photon spin coupling and develop active metamaterial devices important for ultrafast signal processing, spintronics, spinoptics and quantum applications. This synergy underscores the importance of multidisciplinary approaches to harnessing electron-spin–light coupling, enabling tunability, real-time active control, and novel functionalities in nanophotonic and integrated devices. iSPINN will develop the foundations of next-generation spin–photon technologies with real-time active control and consolidate and enhance the European leadership in this field.