Insulator—insulator—metal plasmonic waveguide for parasitic scattering suppression in plasmonic optics

We have shown using rigorous electromagnetic simulations that a planar structure consisting of two isotropic dielectric layers can be used to reduce parasitic scattering in plasmonic elements by an order-of-magnitude (to 1–3%). The proposed approach can be used for designing various plasmonic elements such as lenses, Bragg reflectors and plasmonic crystals.     

External-resonance-enhanced transmission of light through sub-wavelength holes

Using plasmonic resonances of metal films, enhanced transmission of light through sub-wavelength holes has been demonstrated. Here we show that external resonances can be employed as well: the transmission of 1.5-μm wavelength light through 600-nm holes is enhanced by a factor of 20 using a Fabry–Pérot arrangement. The maximal enhancement factor is determined by the limited reflectivity of metal surfaces. It seems promising to combine both effects—plasmonic resonances plus tailored photonic-crystal structures on top of the metal film—in order to realize efficient sub-wavelength light sources as they are required for, e.g., advanced spectroscopy and lithography.     

Proposed electrically-pumped,III–V-metal hybrid plasmonic lasers

We propose an electrically-pumped hybrid plasmonic laser through the integration of a semiconductor quantum well laser with a thin metal film. Due to the coupling between the TM waveguide mode in the III–V active layer and the LRSPP mode around the metal thin film, light can be confined in both regions and optical gain can be provided by the active layer. We have shown that the quasi-odd supermode is the preferred lasing mode because of its larger confinement factor and lower modal loss compared to the quasi-even supermode. Through optimizing the gap distance between the active region and the metal film, we can obtain low threshold and a large amount of optical energy confined around the metal film for the hybrid plasmonic laser.     

Plasmonic nanoparticle monomers and dimers: from nanoantennas to chiral metamaterials

We review the basic physics behind light interaction with plasmonic nanoparticles. The theoretical foundations of light scattering on one metallic particle (a plasmonic monomer) and two interacting particles (a plasmonic dimer) are systematically investigated. Expressions for the effective particle susceptibility (polarizability) are derived, and applications of these results to plasmonic nanoantennas are outlined. In the long-wavelength limit, the effective macroscopic parameters of an array of plasmonic dimers are calculated. These parameters are attributable to an effective medium corresponding to a dilute arrangement of nanoparticles, i.e., a metamaterial where plasmonic monomers or dimers have the function of “meta-atoms”. It is shown that planar dimers consisting of rod-like particles generally possess elliptical dichroism and function as atoms for planar chiral metamaterials. The fabricational simplicity of the proposed rod-dimer geometry can be used in the design of more cost-effective chiral metamaterials in the optical domain.     

Plasmonic resonance enhancement of single gold nanorod in two-photon photopolymerization for fabrication of polymer/metal nanocomposites

We investigated the plasmonic resonance enhanced two-photon photopolymerization (PETPP) using the isolated chemical synthesized gold nanorods for fabrication of polymer/metal nanocomposites. The isolated gold nanorods with the plasmonic resonance band around 750 nm covered by photoresist were irradiated by a femtosecond laser with the wavelength of 780 nm. The PETPP trigged by the plasmonic resonance enhancement of gold nanorods was localized only in the distance smaller than 30 nm from the surface of gold nanorods, which matched the distance of plasmonic resonant enhanced field of the gold nanorod. The shapes of obtained polymer/gold nanocomposites were changed from the “dumbbell” to the “ellipsoid” with the increase of laser irradiating intensity used for PETPP. This study would provide a potential method for fabricating the plasmonic nanomaterials and nanostructures of polymer/metal nanocomposites, which could be expected to be applied in the emerging fields such as nanophotonics, nanobiosensor, nanolithography.     

Mode solvers for very thin long–range plasmonic waveguides

We present two mode solvers applied to a very thin long–range plasmonic waveguide. We compare the guided mode complex effective index obtained either applying a Fourier modal method or calculating density of guided modes using the Green’s dyad technique. We achieve good agreement for both effective indices and mode profiles. We also observe a different behaviour compared to long–range surface plasmon supported by thicker films.     

Computational techniques for the analysis and design of dielectric-loaded plasmonic circuitry

The finite element and the beam propagation method, two widely used methods in photonics, are utilized for the analysis of plasmonic components based on the dielectric-loaded plasmonic waveguide. Two components are chosen as examples and are subsequently numerically investigated by employing the aforementioned methods, in order to demonstrate their applicability in plasmonics. Specifically, a microring resonator add-drop filter and a Mach–Zehnder interferometric switch are analyzed by means of the finite element and the beam propagation method, respectively. The formulation adopted is clearly presented in both cases and the case-dependent implementation details are thoroughly discussed.     

Surface exciton-plasmons and optical response of small-diameter carbon nanotubes

We study theoretically the interactions of excitonic states with surface electromagnetic modes of small-diameter (≲1 nm) semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes. We show that these interactions can result in strong exciton-surface-plasmon coupling. The exciton absorption lineshape exhibits the line (Rabi) splitting ∼0.1–0.3 eV as the exciton energy is tuned to the nearest interband surface plasmon resonance of the nanotube so that the mixed strongly coupled surface plasmon-exciton excitations are formed. We discuss possible ways to bring the exciton in resonance with the surface plasmon. The exciton-plasmon Rabi splitting effect we predict here for an individual carbon nanotube is close in its magnitude to that previously reported for hybrid plasmonic nanostructures artificially fabricated of organic semiconductors deposited on metallic films. We expect this effect to open up paths to new tunable optoelectronic device applications of semiconducting carbon nanotubes.     

Wavelength division (de)multiplexing based on dispersive self-imaging

We proposed and experimentally demonstrated wavelength division (de)multiplexers (WDMs) utilizing the wavelength dispersive nature of self-imaging multimode interferometers. Proof-of-principle devices fabricated on the silicon-on-insulator platform operated as 4-channel WDMs with a free spectral range of >90 nm, an averaging cross talk of <-20 dB for a 1 nm band, and an insertion loss of <2.0 dB. The potential for higher channel counts and smaller channel wavelength spacing was also predicted. This type of WDM is easy to design and fabricate. The underlying concept is applicable to all planar waveguide platforms.     

一种新的单光源多波长双向量子密钥分发系统

针对"即插即用"双向量子密钥分发系统传输效率低的实际问题, 详细分析了系统低效的原因和当前的解决方案, 提出了一种单光源多波长双向量子密钥分发方案. 该方案采用波分复用器件作为滤波器来产生量子密钥分发所需的多波长信号. 与其他多波长方案相比, 该方案的优点是在实现高速多波长量子密钥分发时, 不再受外界控制源调制速率和精度等性能的影响, 不再带来多激光器引入的边信道攻击的缺陷, 且整体系统易于集成. 该方案为"即插即用"量子密钥分发系统的高效研究提供了一个新的参考方案.     

Tunable Fano resonances in silver–silica–silver multilayer nanoshells

We study the plasmonic properties of silver–silica–silver multilayer nanoshells using finite-difference time-domain methods. Silver is a weakly dissipating metal and is able to support higher order resonances compared to strongly dissipating metals like gold. We show that Fano resonances occur even in symmetric cases. Symmetry breaking via the introduction of core offset further enhances these Fano resonance peaks and leads to the appearance of higher order resonances. The optical properties of the multilayer nanoshells are explained using the plasmon hybridization theory and the results are compared to similar multilayer nanoshells with gold core and outer shell.     

Optical guided dispersions and subwavelength transmissions in dispersive plasmonic circular holes

The light transmission through a dispersive plasmonic circular hole is numerically investigated with an emphasis on its subwavelength guidance. For a better understanding of the effect of the hole diameter on the guided dispersion characteristics, the guided modes, including both the surface plasmon polariton mode and the circular waveguide mode, are studied for several hole diameters, especially when the metal cladding has a plasmonic frequency dependency. A brief comparison is also made with the guided dispersion characteristics of a dispersive plasmonic gap [K.Y. Kim, et al., Opt. Express 14, 320–330 (2006)], which is a planar version of the present structure, and a circular waveguide with perfect electric conductor cladding. Finally, the modal behaviour of the first three TM-like principal modes with varied hole diameters is examined for the same operating mode.     

1D to 2D transitional structure of plasmonic crystals: fabrication and characterization

A very interesting structure that has not been explored previously is an array of “corrugated/wavy” lines; an intermediate structure between 1D grating and 2D arrays of plasmonic crystal. This novel structure is studied to fully understand the transitional effect from 1D line to 2D arrays. The changes in geometry will subsequently change the effective refractive index of the crystal hence alters the plasmonic coupling conditions. The azimuthal effect of this structure is also explored to control the SPP magnitude and propagation direction. Interference lithography (IL) technique is used to fabricate this structure. Some geometrical parameters can be controlled in order to optimize the coupling condition for SPP propagation. This will lead us to understand the fundamental geometrical contributions to the field enhancement. Comprehensive mathematical simulations that model these effects to the SPP coupling condition has been undertaken to understand the plasmonic coupling efficiency and the azimuthal angle dependence.     

Surface plasmon–exciton transition in ultra-thin silver and silver iodide films

Silver thin films in the thickness range 2–10 nm produced by thermal evaporation onto glass substrates were systematically iodized and carefully characterized by X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and optical absorption spectroscopy. While the uniodized films are X-ray amorphous in keeping with their quasi-continuous nature and 2D islanded structure, briefly iodized films showed characteristic beta AgI structure. Most interestingly, AFM of Ag films revealed uniform triangle-shaped embryos whose shape does not change appreciably upon iodization. Optical absorption spectra of uniodized Ag films show intense surface plasmon resonance (SPR) features with maxima at 440, 484 and 498 nm for the films of thicknesses 2, 5 and 10 nm, respectively, with 5 nm films showing properties characteristic of optimally matched dielectric and electronic properties of the substrate and sample, respectively. Finally, an interesting and unique SPR–exciton phase transition is observed as the ultra-thin films are progressively iodized. These Ag and AgI films could be promising candidates for plasmonic and nanophotonic applications. PACS 78.66.-w; 73.20.Mf; 71.35.Cc; 42.70; 68.37.Ps; 42.82.-m     

Phase propagation of localized surface plasmons probed by time-resolved photoemission electron microscopy

In combining time-resolved two-photon photoemission (TR-2PPE) and photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM) the ultra-fast dynamics of collective electron excitations in silver nanoparticles (localized surface plasmons – LSPs) is probed at fs and nm resolution. Here we demonstrate that the sampling of the LSP dynamics by means of time-resolved PEEM enables detailed insight into the propagation processes associated with these excitations. In phase-integrated as well as phase-resolved measurements we observe spatio-temporal modulations in the photoemission yield from a single nanoparticle. These modulations are assigned to local variations in the electric near field as a result of the phase propagation of a plasmonic excitation through the particle. Furthermore, the control of the phase between the fs pump and probe laser pulses used for these experiments can be utilized for an external manipulation of the nanoscale electric near-field distribution at these particles. PACS 78.47.+p; 78.67.Bf; 79.60.-i; 73.20.Mf     

Optically tunable plasmonic color filters

We fabricated sub-wavelength patterned gold plasmonic nanostructures on a quartz substrate through the focused ion beam (FIB) technique. The perforated gold film demonstrated optical transmission peaks in the visible range, which therefore can be used as a plasmonic color filter. Furthermore, by integrating a layer of photoresponsive liquid crystals (LCs) with the gold nanostructure to form a hybrid system, we observed a red-shift of transmission peak wavelength. More importantly, the peak intensity can be further enhanced more than 10% in transmittance due to the refractive index match of the media on both sides of it. By optically pumping the hybrid system using a UV light, nematic−isotropic phase transition of the LCs was achieved, thus changing the effective refractive index experienced by the impinging light. Due to the refractive index change, the transmission peak intensity was modulated accordingly. As a result, an optically tunable plasmonic color filter was achieved. This kind of color filters could be potentially applied to many applications, such as complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors, liquid crystal display devices, light emitting diodes, etc.     

Direct laser-writing of dielectric-loaded surface plasmon–polariton waveguides for the visible and near infrared

We demonstrate flexible and low-cost fabrication of dielectric-loaded surface plasmon–polariton waveguides. The waveguide structures are fabricated by two-photon polymerization of commercially available, spin-coatable epoxy-based UV-lithographic resist on a metal covered glass slide. The excitation and guiding properties of the plasmonic waveguides are investigated in the far-field at a wavelength of 632.8 nm by imaging the leakage radiation from the waveguide modes. The optimum bending radius for right angle bends is measured to 6 μm providing a transmission of up to 70%. The functionality of more complex Y-splitters is demonstrated.     

Compound plasmonic vortex generation based on spiral nanoslits

In view of wide applications of structured light fields and plasmonic vortices, we propose the concept of compound plasmonic vortex and design several structured plasmonic vortex generators. This kind of structured plasmonic vortex generators consists of multiple spiral nanoslits and they can generate two or more concentric plasmonic vortices. Different from Laguerre–Gaussian beam, the topological charge of the plasmonic vortex in different region is different. Theoretical analysis lays the basis for the design of radially structured plasmonic vortex generators and numerical simulations for several examples confirm the effectiveness of the design principle. The discussions about the interference of vortex fields definite the generation condition for the structured vortex. This work provides a design methodology for generating new vortices using spiral nanoslits and the advanced radially structured plasmonic vortices is helpful for broadening the applications of vortex fields.     

Energy transport in plasmon waveguides on chains of metal nanoplates

An interest in energy transport in 3D chains of metal nanoparticles is oriented towards future applications in nanoscale optical devices. We consider plasmonic waveguides composed of silver nanoplates arranged in several geometries to find the one with the lowest attenuation. We investigate light propagation of 500-nm wavelength along different chains of silver nanoplates of subwavelength length and width and wavelength-size height. Energy transmission of the waveguides is analysed in the range of 400–2000 nm. We find that chain of short parallel nanoplates guides energy better than two electromagnetically coupled continuous stripes and all other considered nonparallel structures. In a wavelength range of 500–600 nm, this 2-μm long 3D waveguide transmits 39% of incident energy in a channel of λ × λ/2 cross section area.     

Optical–feedback cavity–enhanced absorption: a compact spectrometer for real–time measurement of atmospheric methane

We report on the application of the new technique of optical–feedback cavity–enhanced absorption spectroscopy to the real–time quantitative measurement of tropospheric methane traces from an airplane using a compact, low cost instrument based on a telecommunication–type diode laser operating close to room temperature. Methane concentration is obtained by fitting the absorption line centered at 1658.96 nm (6026.23 cm^-1) which belongs to the first overtone transition of the CH stretch vibration. The measurement rate is about 30 Hz, but the response time is limited to about 0.3 s by the gas flow in the measurement cell. The instrument provides the absolute ambient methane concentration accurate to ±1% (±20 ppb) without need for a periodic calibration. This is demonstrated by a hands–off comparison with a self–calibrating chromatographic setup during 10 days. The observed measurement stability can be extrapolated to much longer time periods. With respect to the short–term performance (minutes) fast concentration changes at the level of 1 ppb can be detected, and we believe this performance can be extended to the long term. Finally, a laboratory comparison with a lead–salt mid–infrared diode laser multipass spectrometer (operating close to 3028 cm^-1 at liquid nitrogen temperature) demonstrates a similar performance. PACS 07.88.+y; 42.55.Px; 42.62.Fi