RESEARCH SEMINAR: Nanophotonic Metasurfaces for Sensing

Guest : Dr. Hasan Kurt

Title : Nanophotonic Metasurfaces for Sensing

Date / Time : 1 July, Wednesday 13:40

Location : FENS 2019 

Abstract: Light − matter interactions can be strongly enhanced when light is confined to the nanoscale. At metal, dielectric and molecular interfaces, nanophotonic structures can amplify weak optical signals, sharpen spectroscopic fingerprints and convert subtle interfacial changes into measurable responses. This capability is transforming sensing, spectroscopy and integrated diagnostic technologies, but it also raises a central materials challenge: how can nanoscale optical fields be engineered in platforms that are robust, reproducible and compatible with real samples?

This talk will explore nanophotonic metasurfaces as materials platforms for molecular and biological readout. After introducing the principles of nanoscale light confinement, plasmonic resonances, metasurfaces and local field engineering, the talk will focus on refractory plasmonic materials and metal–insulator–metal (MIM) metasurfaces as examples of how geometry, material selection and interfacial chemistry can be combined to improve refractometric biosensing and plasmon-enhanced Raman sensing.

Several application areas will be highlighted, including clinical biosensing, Raman-based molecular fingerprinting for agricultural produce and environmental monitoring. The talk will close with future directions toward electrically interrogated nanophotonic biosensors and a brief outlook on how interface-engineering principles could support future studies of room-temperature quantum emitters.

Bio: Hasan Kurt is an Associate Professor at Department of Biomedical Engineering, Istanbul Medipol University. He received his BSc and PhD degrees in Materials Science and Engineering from Sabancı University and was a UKRI MSCA Research Fellow in the Department of Bioengineering at Imperial College London between 2022 and 2025. His research focuses on nanophotonics, plasmonic and refractory nanomaterials, thin-film devices, and translational sensing platforms.