Artur Movsesyan

Winner of the AMUtech Junior Professorship
Nanophotonics - Plasmonic metasurfaces - Hot carriers

Artur Movsesyan's research focuses on light-matter interactions at the nanometric scale. As part of his Chair project, he intends to study the generation and dynamics of hot carriers in plasmonic nanosystems, and explore their applications in nanophotonics and energy technologies.

Academic and scientific background

Before joining AMUtech, I was a research associate professor at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China.

My scientific career began with a Master's degree at the Université de Bourgogne, followed by a PhD at the Université de Technologie de Troyes (UTT), devoted to the optical properties of nanoparticles and nanoparticle assemblies. During this period, I developed advanced skills in nanospectroscopy and theoretical modeling.

I then carried out two post-doctorates. The first was at UTT, where I studied the exaltation of photoluminescence in hybrid systems combining quantum dots and metal nanoparticles, as well as near-field interactions. The second was at Ohio University, in Alexander Govorov's group, where my research focused on the generation and dynamics of hot carriers, as well as optical chirality in plasmonic nanostructures.

Along the way, I combined experimental research and numerical modeling, notably on plasmonic nanosystems, metasurfaces and light-matter interactions at the nanoscale. Before joining AMUtech, I had already published 40 articles in international journals and developed a significant scientific network worldwide.

Why did you apply for the AMUtech Chair?

What made me want to apply for the AMUtech Junior Professorship was above all the opportunity to develop a scientific project in an environment of excellence, with the prospect of autonomy.

Initially, joining an existing research team enables me to integrate into the local scientific ecosystem, develop collaborations and draw on complementary expertise. This step is important for scientific coherence and for developing interdisciplinary projects.

In the medium term, the prospect of setting up my own research team is a major motivation. It will enable me to structure an original scientific axis around the control of hot carriers and heat management on the nanometric scale, while developing a strong scientific identity with international visibility.

The educational dimension of the Chair is also central. I'd like to get involved in teaching nanophotonics and nanoscience, supervising Masters and PhD students, and working with them to combine theory, modeling and experimentation.

The Chair's research priorities

My project has three main focuses:

Generation and control of hot carriers in plasmonic nanosystems

Study the fundamental mechanisms of hot carrier generation and transport, and their manipulation via the geometry and composition of nanostructures.

Energy dissipation and thermal management at the nanoscale

Understand and control light-matter energy transfers to maximize optical efficiency while minimizing thermal losses.

Nanophotonic and energetic applications of hybrid nanostructures

Develop systems for photocatalysis, optical sensing and energy-related technologies, combining nanophotonics and functional nanomaterials.

Collaborations within AMUtech

My project will mainly be developed within CINaM, which will be the main framework for implementing the Chair. CINaM's expertise in nanoscience, self-assembly and nano-architecture engineering provides a particularly suitable environment for the development of hybrid metasurfaces and the study of plasmonic and thermal phenomena at the nanometric scale.

At the same time, I plan to collaborate with other AMUtech laboratories:

  • Institut Fresnel, for advanced optical characterization and photothermal approaches
  • IM2NP (LUMEN-PV group), for integration in photovoltaic and optoelectronic devices
  • ICR, for local photochemistry applications.
Contribution to AMUtech projects

On the scientific front, I'd like to contribute integrated expertise combining plasmonic nanostructure design, nanoscale optical characterization and multiphysics modeling (optical, optoelectronic and thermal). This cross-disciplinary approach enables us to design optimized metasurfaces and nanostructures, and also to gain a detailed understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of hot carrier generation, transport and dissipation. In this way, I can help strengthen AMUtech's nanophotonics, energy and functional nanomaterials divisions.

I would also like to contribute to the development of inter-laboratory collaborative projects, bridging the gap between theoretical design, numerical simulation and experimental validation. My international experience enables me to develop scientific partnerships and help set up competitive national (ANR PRC, ANR Franco-German) and European (ERC, Horizon Europe) projects.

From a pedagogical point of view, I'd like to make an active contribution to training in nanoscience and nanotechnology, by developing courses combining theory, simulation and experimentation for Masters, PhD and post-doctorate students. Eventually, the gradual creation of my own research team will enable me to structure a research axis around hot carriers and metasurfaces for energy and nanophotonic applications, thus contributing to AMUtech's scientific visibility.

Last but not least, I'd like to contribute to the transfer of results to technological applications, particularly in the fields of photodetection, photocatalysis and photovoltaics, in line with AMUtech's scientific and technological ambitions.

Arriving at Aix-Marseille University

I arrive with an enthusiastic, collaborative and determined mindset. My aim is to integrate quickly into an existing team (NanoEPOC), contribute to AMUtech's scientific and teaching dynamics and initiate interdisciplinary projects.

I want to bring both a fundamental vision and concrete applications, while developing a stimulating environment for students and researchers.

Long-term prospects

In the longer term, I'd like to structure a clearly identified research axis at AMUtech around the control of hot carriers and energy management at the nanometric scale, with national and international visibility.

I'd also like to help strengthen collaborations between AMUtech laboratories, by encouraging the emergence of joint projects and attracting competitive funding, notably through the ANR, ERC and Horizon Europe programs.