Quasi-Talbot effect of the sub-wavelength Ag grating

When a TM-polarized beam incidents normally on a thick sub-wavelength Ag grating with small opening ratio, self-images form in the transparent dielectric layer due to contributions not only from waves radiating from the slits, but also from the Surface Plasmons (SPs) created on Ag surface. These two contributions make the self-images connect together along the propagation direction and form continuous stripes with period equal to half of that of the grating. We define this phenomenon as quasi-Talbot effect. For a thin sub-wavelength Ag grating or a grating with large opening ratio, its intensity distribution conforms to the conventional Talbot effect. Investigation on quasi-Talbot effect of sub-wavelength metal grating can develop new applications in nano-scale devices.     

Concave grating miniature spectrometer with an expanded spectral band by using two entrance slits

A new miniature spectrometer with two entrance slits is proposed to expand the spectral band. The proposed spectrometer is designed such that the two entrance slits share the same concave grating and detector array. The two slits are located at different positions such that the spectral range of the same light source incident on the detector array varies greatly between the two slits. Only one of the two slits is illuminated at a given time; as such, the two spectral ranges are sequentially measured. Theoretical calculation and experimentation are conducted to verify the proposed design.     

Two-Slit Diffraction Pattern for Gaussian Wave Packets

The complete prediction of diffraction forelectrons passing through one or two slits is obtainedfrom the pure wave propagation governed by theSchrodinger equation. By the further assumption ofelectromagnetic interaction between electrons and slits it isshown that, as already predicted by stochasticelectrodynamics with spin, there exist lateral maxima onthe diffraction pattern corresponding to the edges of the slits.     

Role of surface plasmon polaritons in anomalous transmission of an electromagnetic wave through two arrays with subwavelength slits

The anomalously large transmission of an electromagnetic wave through structures consisting of two periodic arrays of subwavelength slits in films has been investigated. The conditions ensuring zero transmittance of this system have been determined. The role of surface plasmon polaritons in transmission anomalies has been analyzed. An analysis of the systems consisting of three arrays of slits has revealed specific features of the transmittance that are independent of the number of slits. It has been demonstrated that, at a wavelength corresponding to the excitation of a surface plasmon polariton in the gap between two periodic arrays of subwavelength slits, the transmittance is zero (i.e., transmission is suppressed). The investigation has been carried out using numerical simulations with the Fourier modal method.     

Transmission through metallic array slits curved with perpendicular waveguides

The transmission of normally incident plane wave through an array of subwavelength metallic slits curved with perpendicular waveguides has been explored. Two-dimensional electromagnetic fields inside and near the metal film are simulated by the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. The perpendicular waveguides in the middle of slits affect the modes of slits in two different manners: commonly, the extended length of the waveguides leads to the increase of the resonant wavelength; shifting the waveguides location along the vertical slits, red or blue shift of resonant wavelengths can be achieved, however to some confirmed length of the perpendicular waveguides, there is the only one resonant wavelength. In addition, a new explanation model is proposed in which the resonance is ascribed to three reasons: the Fabry-Perot cavity theory, the surface current flow, and the surface charges. All the calculated results are well explained by our proposed model.     

Waveguide resonance of subwavelength metallic slits

The transmission characteristics of a metallic film with subwavelength periodic slits are investigated by using the two-dimensional finite-difference time-domain method (2D-FDTD). Two models are constructed to show the dependance of the transmission spectrum on the slit structure. A sandwiched structure is used to exhibit the contribution of the metallic wall inside slits to the extraordinary high transmission. And a filled slit structure is employed to reflect the relation between the average refractive index inside the slits and the transmission spectrum of the structure. The transmission characteristics of two structures can be explained well with the waveguide resonance theory.     

Effects of interplay between metal subwavelength slits on extraordinary optical transmission

In this paper we study the extraordinary optical transmission of one-dimensional multi-slits in an ideal metal film.The transmissivity is calculated as a function of various structural parameters.The transmissivity oscillates,with the period being just the light wavelength,as a function of the spacing between slits.As the number of slits increases,the transmissivity varies in one of three ways.It can increase,attenuate,or remain basically unchanged,depending on the spacing between slits.Each way is in an oscillatory manner.The slit interaction responsible for the oscillating transmission strength that depends on slit spacing is the subject of more detailed investigation.The interaction most intuitively manifests as a current distribution in the metal surface between slits.We find that this current is attenuated in an oscillating fashion from the slit corners to the center of the region between two adjacent slits,and we present a mathematical expression for its waveform.     

Influence of slit width on the electromagnetic transmission of a periodic metallic grating

The light transmittance of a periodic metallic grating with varied slit widths has been investigated. The transmission peaks move to the shorter wavelength direction with an increase in the width of slits while keeping the other parameters unchanged. It was demonstrated that the slit width affects the spectral transmittance of the metal grating significantly. It was also found that the effective refractive index and cavity modes in slits are responsible for this phenomenon. Cavity modes play an important role in extraordinary transmission of the sub-wavelength aperture grating. When a complete resonant mode forms in the slits, a high transmission will appear. A wider slit results in a smaller efficient refractive index and thus affects the cavity mode in the slits. These two elements cause the transmission peaks to move to the shorter wavelength direction with widening of slits. The results obtained here may provide a useful guide to design metallic slit grating devices.     

Blendensysteme für Streulichtphotometer

The geometrical arrangement of slits in the secondary beam of light scattering photometers has been investigated. The hitherto applied configuration of slits, vertically fixed on the secondary beam, requires a volume correction-sinϑ-for the determination of the angle-dependent scattered intensity. Arrangements of slits with varying width which depends on the angle of observation ϑ are proposed. They avoide the volume correction, or render the scattering volume independent of ϑ, and at the same time increase the measuring accuracy. For this purpose two types of mechanically guided slits are considered, utilizing parallelogram- and scissor-type mountings. The conventional and new slit arrangements are used to determine the angular dependence of the total light flux intercepted by the receiver, the angle subtended by the aperture, and the scattering volume, as well as the geometrical error. Measurements employing a light scattering photometer with a fixed and a parallel-guided slit in the secondary beam are reported.

     

涡旋光束经杨氏双缝干涉后的光谱变化

从完全相干光的传输定理出发,研究了完全相干涡旋光照射在双缝上,干涉场中的光谱变化。研究结果表明,和普通的完全相干光(平面波)经双缝干涉的光谱变化相比较,涡旋光束的光谱变化情况显得更加丰富。研究了相对平均频率的变化,发现相对平均频率将随着源光谱的宽度,拓扑荷数以及观察点位置的变化而变化。给出了对应于不同拓扑荷数,一个固定观察面的相对平均频率的分布情况。     

Plasmonic planar lens based on stack of metal–insulator–metal waveguides with height tuning

We introduce a technique capable of focusing electromagnetic (EM) waves through plasmonic nanoslits symmetrically arranged along the indented semi-circular surface in silver background. The EM transports through the tuning slits in the form of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs), and gets the required phase retardations to focus at the focal plane. Due to the subwavelength nature of planar metallic lens, we present the rigorous electromagnetic analysis by using two dimensional (2D) finite difference time domain (FDTD) method. These height-modulated slits with uniform width are demonstrated to have unique advantages in beam manipulation. In combination with previous studies, it is expected that our structure with small number of slits could lead to realization of optimum designs of plasmonic nano-lens.     

Ultrasonic-assisted enzymatic extraction of sulfated polysaccharide from Skipjack tuna by-products

The effect of ultrasound pretreatment on extraction efficiency of sulfate polysaccharides (SPs) using alcalase from different by-products of Skipjack tuna including head, bone and skin was evaluated. Structural, functional, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the recovered SPs using the ultrasound-enzyme and enzymatic method were also investigated. Ultrasound pretreatment significantly increased the extraction yield of SPs from all the three by-products compared with the conventional enzymatic method. All extracted SPs showed high antioxidant potential in terms of ABTS, DPPH and ferrous chelating activities where the ultrasound treatment enhanced antioxidant activities of the SPs. The SPs exerted strong inhibiting activity against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The ultrasound treatment remarkably increased antibacterial activity of the SPs against L. monocytogenes but its effect on other bacteria was dependent on the source of the SPs. Altogether, the results suggest that ultrasound pretreatment during enzymatic extraction of SPs from tuna by-products can be a promising approach to improve extraction yield but also bioactivity of the extracted polysaccharides.     

Generation of entangled states of qudits using twin photons

We report an experiment to generate entangled states of D-dimensional quantum systems, qudits, by using transverse spatial correlations of two parametric down-converted photons. Apertures with D slits in the arms of the twin photons define the qudit space. By manipulating the pump beam correctly, the twin photons will pass only by symmetrically opposite slits, generating entangled states between these different paths. Experimental results for qudits with D = 4 and 8 are shown. We demonstrate that the generated states are entangled states.     

Single-layer metal nanolenses with tight foci in far-field

In simulations we analyze performance of plasmonic nanolenses made of a single metal layer. We consider the nanolenses in two configurations. In the first, the nanolens is a free-standing silver layer with no hole on the optical axis and double-sided concentric corrugations. In the second, the nanolens has a set of slits instead of grooves. This necessitates integrating the annular metal elements with a dielectric matrix. We examine the following parameters of the nanolenses: film thickness, diameter of an on-axis stop, and lattice constant of slits or double-sided concentric grooves, as well as depth and width of grooves. Due to radially polarized illumination lenses have foci of full widths at half maxima (FWHMs) better than half a wavelength, though foci formed by propagating waves do not decrease beyond the diffraction limit. Due to proper geometry of slits or double-sided grooves lenses have focal lengths of the order of a few wavelengths. Transmission of light through lenses with double-sided narrow grooves reaches 30% while through ones with slits exceeds 80%.     

Relationship between size and surface modification of silica particles and enhancement and suppression of inflammatory cytokine production by lipopolysaccharide- or peptidoglycan-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages

Although nanomaterials are used in an increasing number of commodities, the relationships between their immunotoxicity and physicochemical properties such as size or surface characteristics are not fully understood. Here we demonstrated that pretreatment with amorphous silica particles (SPs) of various sizes (diameters of 10–1000 nm), with or without amine surface modification, significantly decreased interleukin 6 production by RAW264.7 macrophages following lipopolysaccharide or peptidoglycan stimulation. Furthermore, nanosized, but not microsized, SPs significantly enhanced tumor necrosis factor-α production in macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. This altered cytokine response was distinct from the inflammatory responses induced by treatment with the SPs alone. Additionally, the uptake of SPs into macrophages by phagocytosis was found to be crucial for the suppression of macrophage immune response to occur, irrespective of particle size or surface modification. Together, these results suggest that SPs may not only increase susceptibility to microbial infection, but that they may also be potentially effective immunosuppressants.     

Stimulated emission of surface plasmons at the interface between a silver film and an optically pumped dye solution

Surface plasmons (SPs) are surface-bound electromagnetic waves supported by metals, offering the possibility of strong spatial confinement of electromagnetic fields on the micro- and nanoscales. They suffer, however, from strong damping caused by internal absorption and radiation losses. Here we demonstrate amplification of SPs by stimulated emission, which marks a possible solution to this problem. We use an attenuated-total-reflection setup to detect stimulated emission of SPs at the interface between a silver film and an optically pumped dye solution acting as the amplifying medium. Clear evidence of stimulated emission is provided by an excellent agreement of the experimental observations with a theoretical analysis. Amplification of SPs can be considered analogous to photon amplification in a laser, thereby suggesting novel approaches in the field of nano-optics.     

Polarization‐controlled surface plasmon holography

The ability of generating arbitrary surface plasmon (SP) profiles in a controllable manner is of particular interest in designing plasmonic imaging, lithography and forcing devices. During the past decades, holography has gained enormous interest and achievements in free‐space three‐dimensional displays. Here, by applying a two‐dimensional version of holography, we experimentally demonstrate a generic method to control the SP profiles. Through controlling the orientation angles of two separated slits under circular polarization incidence, the amplitude and phase of the excited SPs can be freely manipulated, which allows direct generation of the desired SP profiles. A series of controllable SP holography schemes are theoretically and experimentally demonstrated, where the holographic SP profiles with high imaging quality can be dynamically modulated by varying the circular polarization handedness or orientation angle of linear polarization. The universality and simplicity of the proposed design strategies would offer promising opportunities for practical plasmonic applications.

     

Transmission through array of subwavelength metallic slits curved with a single step or mutli-step

The transmission of normally incident plane wave through an array of subwavelength metallic slits curved with a sin- gle step or mutli-step has been explored theoretically. The transmission spectrum is simulated by using the finite-difference time-domain method. The influences of surface plasmon polaritons make the end of finite long sub-wavelength metallic slit behaves as magnetic-reflecting barrier. The electromagnetic fields in the subwavelength metallic slits are the superpo- sition of standing wave and traveling wave. The standing electromagnetic oscillation behaves like LC oscillating circuit to decide the resonance wavelength. Therefore, the parameters of adding step may change the LC circuit and influence the transmission wavelength. A new explanation model is proposed in which the resonant wavelength is decided by four factors： the changed length for electric field, the changed length for magnetic field, the effective coefficient of capacitance, and the effective coefficient of inductance. The effect of adding step is presented to analyze the interaction of two steps in slit with mutli-step. This explanation model has been proved by the transmission through arrayed subwavelength metallic slits curved with two steps and fractal steps. All calculated results are well explained by our proposed model.     

Plasmon-assisted two-slit transmission: Young's experiment revisited

We present an experimental and theoretical study of the optical transmission of a thin metal screen perforated by two subwavelength slits, separated by many optical wavelengths. The total intensity of the far-field double-slit pattern is shown to be reduced or enhanced as a function of the wavelength of the incident light beam. This modulation is attributed to an interference phenomenon at each of the slits, instead of at the detector. The interference arises as a consequence of the excitation of surface plasmons propagating from one slit to the other.     

Optical transmission resonances tuned by external static magnetic field in an n-doped semiconductor grating with subwavelength slits

Transmission behavior of light through a grating consisting of n-doped semiconductor with subwavelength slits under the application of external static magnetic fields is investigated. As dielectric constant of n-doped semiconductor can be substantially altered by applied magnetic field, in the Voigt configuration and for TM-polarized illumination, two transmission resonance peaks associated with localized waveguide modes of slits are significantly shifted toward the lower frequency regime with the increase of the applied magnetic field. These characteristics can be assigned to a reduction of effective plasma frequency of n-doped semiconductor under the applied magnetic field. Our findings may provide possibility for achieving tunable transmission resonance spectrum.