The proposal was submitted to the EU on 09. 04. 2003 in an electronic way and on 10. 04. 2003 personally by Dominik Schaniel. A pre-decision is expected for July 4, 2003.

Abstract:
The objectives of the proposal are the improvement of complex materials for optical data storage and the design of novel complex materials for optical packet switching in order to overcome their present impairments for technical applications. Optical materials are central in a knowledge-based society as conventional silicon-based storage and applications are reaching their physical limits. Starting from the characterisation of the most commonly used optical materials we will establish a figure-of-merit against which the progress achieved by our project can be quantitatively measured. We will improve these standard materials by developing new methods, e.g. inducing superstructures in oxidic materials. A fundamental understanding of the underlying mechanisms, which are limiting the applications, is acquired by the complementary structural, optical and computational methods of our consortium. The nature of metastable electronic states in nitrosyl compounds, their possible impact for ultra-fast optical switching processes and the interaction between space-charge fields and structure in oxidic materials are the key questions to be answered. Based on this understanding we will design and prepare novel complex materials in order to improve and tune their properties towards industrial needs. All designed and improved materials are tested in demonstration platforms, which are built together with a SME, in order to additionally measure progress in the frame of applications. The scientific progress of the proposed work is expected to lead to a technological breakthrough in future optical storage and optical packet switching devices. Up to now, the development of such devices is hindered by material limitations.
The project matches the objectives of the NMP priority NMP-2002-3.4.2.1-1 (Understanding materials phenomena) in an excellent way since new structures with defined characteristics are developed based on the acquired understanding of the materials properties.

Last Update: July 1, 2003