On May 18, Professor Emiliano Descrovi from the Polytechnic University of Turin (Italy) visited the College of Information Science and Electronic Engineering (ISEE) at Zhejiang University and delivered a featured lecture as part of the APR Global Lecture series. Supported by AIP Publishing and Applied Physics Reviews (APR) Journal, the lecture focused on recent advances in optical manipulation of multilayer materials using Bloch surface waves.
Professor Descrovi presented a talk titled “Vortex Beam Generation from Bloch Surface Wave Structures,” in which he discussed the new opportunities brought by planar multilayer films supporting TE- or TM-polarized Bloch surface waves for light manipulation at the micro/nano scale. He demonstrated how light can be confined and propagate through Bloch surface wave coupling—flowing across an almost flat surface with minimal disturbance—and examined the impact of high photonic local density of states on the emission behavior of organic dipoles positioned on the surface of the multilayer films. The research team also introduced a Bloch surface wave planar cavity and analyzed its influence on the spectral and temporal characteristics of emitters placed inside. In addition, the presentation featured chiral diffraction gratings as outcoupling mechanisms for Bloch surface waves, enabling the generation of beams carrying specific orbital angular momentum in free space. Professor Descrovi also briefly introduced his team‘s work in polymer photonics.
Professor Emiliano Descrovi received his Master’s degree in Physics from the Polytechnic University of Turin in 1999 and his PhD from the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland) in 2005. From 2020 to 2021, he served as Professor of Photonics Technology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Trondheim, Norway). He joined the Board of Directors of the European Optical Society (EOS) in 2020 and has served as its President since September 2024. Applied Physics Reviews, the flagship journal of AIP Publishing, has a five-year impact factor of 15.2 and publishes significant original research articles and authoritative reviews across all fields of applied physics.
ISEE remains dedicated to building a platform for resource sharing, experience exchange, and collaborative development, supporting young faculty members in advancing their research, teaching, and mentorship capabilities. AIP Publishing will continue to jointly host APR Mini Workshops, APR Global Lectures, and other academic series to strengthen interdisciplinary exchange, foster the development of young researchers, and cultivate an open, vibrant, and collaborative academic ecosystem.
