Sub-diffraction-limited far-field imaging in infrared

We investigated a far-field superlens operating at mid-infrared wavelength that allows resolving subwavelength features in the far-field. By utilizing evanescent enhancement provided by surface plasmon excitation of silver nanorods and Moiré effect, we numerically demonstrated that subwavelength information of an object can be converted to propagating information. This information can then be captured by conventional optical components. A simple image reconstruction algorithm can restore the subwavelength object. A sub-diffraction-limited resolution of 2.5 μm at 6-μm wavelength is demonstrated.     

Detection of subwavelength slit-width variation with irradiance measurements in the far field

We demonstrate that, under suitable conditions, subwavelength feature variations of an object can affect the corresponding far-field diffraction pattern in a measurable way. We present an experiment in which width variations of less than 1/100 of the wavelength are measured with a slit whose width is 100 times the wavelength. Integral and differential intensity measurements in the far field are fully consistent with standard diffraction theory even in the subwavelength variation regime. In particular, slit modulations of 6 nm with a wavelength of 670 nm are shown to follow theoretical calculations within the experimental sensitivity of ~10(-5) .     

Near-field optics with photonic crystals

Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) analysis of light propagation in a defect mode of a two-dimensional photonic band-gap (PBG) structure demonstrates that the light field is localized in such a structure within areas with subwavelength (λ/10) sizes. FDTD simulations reveal efficient formation of an evanescent wave at the output of such a PBG structure, permitting the subwavelength resolution to be achieved in the near field. A probe object with a size less than the wavelength of incident light is shown to perturb the near-field distribution behind the PBG structure and to change the signal detected in the far-field zone. The field intensity distribution inside a PBG structure is also sensitive to the presence of a probe object, offering a way to control the light field localized in defect modes of PBG structures. Received: 9 August 1999 / Accepted: 18 October 1999 / Published online: 10 November 1999     

Enhancement of light extraction from freestanding GaN nanocolumn slab with bottom subwavelength nanostructures

It is of great interest to investigate a freestanding GaN nanocolumn slab with bottom subwavelength nanostructures. A low-index buffer layer offers more paths accessible to emit light in air, and the nanostructures break the total internal reflection condition at the bottom surface to improve the light-extraction efficiency. The GaN nanocolumns and subwavelength nanostructures can also effectively suppress optical reflection over a broad wavelength range. In this work, the freestanding GaN nanocolumn slabs with bottom subwavelength nanostructures are implemented with a diameter of 1200 μm by a combination of self-assembly technique, silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology, manufacturing of silicon, and epitaxial growth of GaN. Reflectance results experimentally show that optical reflection is greatly reduced by introducing the GaN nanocolumns and subwavelength nanostructures, and photoluminescence measurements demonstrate that the extracted light is significantly enhanced with the assistance of the low-index buffer layer and bottom subwavelength nanostructures.     

基于远场时间反演的亚波长天线阵列研究

基于远场时间反演, 从信号处理角度对亚波长阵列的超分辨率聚焦特性进行了理论分析. 提出了一种新型的微结构刻蚀亚波长阵列, 通过时间反演聚焦实验表明, 该阵列具有远场超分辨聚焦特性, 各单元间信道相互独立. 将这种亚波长阵列应用在时间反演镜天线上, 通过实验验证了可以获得更好的超分辨率聚焦效果. 所提出的亚波长天线阵列对多天线超宽带无线通信具有潜在的应用价值. 关键词： 时间反演 亚波长 天线阵列 超分辨率     

Verification of evanescent coupling from subwavelength grating pairs

Near-field evanescent wave coupling of various subwavelength grating pairs, using a 1.55 μm infrared semiconductor laser has been demonstrated for use as an optical MEMS sensor. Subwavelength grating pairs were fabricated on both glass and silicon substrates. When coupled together the effective grating period is not subwavelength and can exhibit several diffraction orders. The 1.55 μm infrared source was incident on the coupled pairs and the first-order output intensity was recorded and compared with the output intensity from simulated results. This demonstrated evanescent wave coupling concept can be applied to MEMS systems with nanometer gap separations (e.g., pressure sensors, biosensors, and accelerometers) to allow for subnanometer displacement detection.     

表面等离子激元调制的亚波长束斑半导体激光器

近场有源探针可以解决近场光学扫描显微镜等应用中对高亮度和高光功率的需求.提出一种制备具有表面等离子激元结构的微纳束斑的半导体激光器的设计方案.模拟分析表明,此激光器在3.5 μm的远场仍然可以获得小于波长的束斑,并且其输出功率密度与没有表面激元结构的激光器比较提高近30倍.     

一维亚波长周期结构物成像的光子学研究

当用波长为λ的单色平行光垂直照射到光栅常数d<λ的亚波长周期结构衍射物时,会产生隐失波。由于快速衰减,这种亚波长周期物是不能成像的。但是,通过对亚波长周期结构物进行适当的编码后可得到均匀波,使这种携带了隐失波信息的均匀波通过经特别设计的光学系统并被放大到CCD所能识别的像素大小后,再进行必要的解码以滤掉编码波,即可得到原亚波长周期结构衍射物的像,最终达到超分辨的目的。基于这种新颖的成像技术,用常规仪器就实现了对亚波长周期结构物的成像。在运用光子学方法对实验和成像过程进行较为详尽的理论分析的同时,对编码器、解码器的位置以及它们相对物光栅的取向给出了设计性研究,对滤波器的选择给予了必要的说明。实验结果验证了该设计理论的正确性。     

Local infrared microspectroscopy with subwavelength spatial resolution with an atomic force microscope tip used as a photothermal sensor

We describe a new method of infrared microspectroscopy. It is intended for performing chemical mapping of various objects with subwavelength lateral resolution by using the infrared vibrational signature characterizing different molecular species. We use the photothermal expansion effect, detected by an atomic force microscope tip, probing the local transient deformation induced by an infrared pulsed laser tuned at a sample absorbing wavelength. We show that this new tool opens the way for measuring and identifying spectroscopic contrasts not accessible by far-field or near-field optical methods and with a subwavelength lateral resolution.     

基于宽带立体超透镜的远场超分辨率成像

为突破传统衍射极限实现远场超分辨率成像,提出了一种微波频段宽带立体超透镜用于目标远场超分辨率成像.该透镜可将携带着目标超分辨率信息的凋落波分量转换为传播波分量辐射到远场,进而可在远场接收这些信息并用于超分辨率成像.分别从频域和时域两方面对该透镜的超分辨率特性进行验证.在频域,利用多重信号分类算法对借助于该结构的扩展目标实现了λ/12的远场超分辨率成像,大幅度提升了成像效果.在时域,结合时间反演技术,验证了带宽提升对空间超分辨率聚焦特性带来的明显优势.     

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.     

Antenna model for wire lasers

An antenna model is proposed for long (L > A) lasers with subwavelength cross sections (wire lasers). It is shown that the far-field pattern of the wire lasers is determined by the ratio of the wavelength to the length. The radiation of the wire laser is predicted to be concentrated in a narrow beam theta approximately radical(2lambda/L) for laser modes where the longitudinal phase velocity is in synchronism with the velocity of light in air. Experimental results obtained using a terahertz quantum cascade wire laser are in agreement with the model.     

基于叠栅技术的二维亚波长周期结构成像设计

用光子学方法研究了叠栅技术中,当试件光栅被拉压和旋转后,叠栅条纹的空间周期和相对于基准光栅的取向,试件光栅被拉压后的节距等相关问题。根据衍射光波的空间周期可能大于试件光栅空间周期的特点,对二维亚波长周期结构衍射成像进行了设计研究。首先,对二维亚波长周期结构衍射物进行编码,以获得包含编码光栅空间信息的均匀波;其次,使编码得到的均匀波通过光学系统,并被放大到CCD相机所能辨识的大小;再次,经解码光栅解码,滤掉编码波,最终获得二维亚波长周期结构物的空间结构信息,达到超分辨的目的。同时,对成像过程进行了较为详尽的分析,对编码器、解码器的位置以及它们相对衍射物的取向进行了设计研究,对滤波器的选择给予了必要的说明,指出了取得超分辨成像的关键。     

Optical waveguide fabrication and integration with a micro-mirror inside photosensitive glass by femtosecond laser direct writing

Photosensitive glass is a potentially important material for micro-fluidic devices that can be integrated with micro-optical components for biochemical analysis. Here, we demonstrate the fabrication of optical waveguides inside glass by femtosecond laser direct writing. The influence of the laser parameters on the waveguide properties is investigated, and it is revealed that the waveguide mode can be well controlled. The single mode is achieved at a low writing energy, while the multimode is achieved with increasing energy. In spite of a longitudinally elongated elliptical shape of the cross-sectional profile, the far-field pattern of the single-mode waveguide shows an almost symmetric profile. The measured propagation loss and the coupling loss are evaluated to be ∼0.6 dB/cm and ∼1.6 dB at a wavelength of 632.8 nm, respectively, under the conditions of 1.0–2.0 μJ pulse energy and 200–500 μm/s scan speed. The increased optical loss is associated with a higher waveguide mode at higher writing energy. Furthermore, the integration of waveguides and a micromirror made of a hollow microplate inside the glass is demonstrated to bend the laser beam at an angle of 90° in a small chip. The bending loss is estimated to be smaller than 0.3 dB. PACS 42.62.-b; 42.82.Cr; 82.50.Pt; 42.79.Gn; 42.81.Qb     

Picosecond optical switching of a 1.5 μm active birefringent optical fiber loop filter using 1.3 μm control optical pulses and a 1.3 μm semiconductor optical amplifier

Less than 100ps, polarization-independent switching operation of an active birefringent optical fiber loop filter using 1.3 μm control optical pulses as well as a 1.3 μm semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) has been demonstrated. In the proposed SOA-based active birefringent filter operating at 1.55 μm wavelength, 1.3 μm SOA is employed to control the polarization-mode dispersion in the loop part. By injecting 1.3 μm ps gain-switched optical control pulses into the SOA, 1.5 μm input signals can be switched from the transmission port to the reflection port with less than 100 ps rise time.     

High power,continuous wave,singly resonant OPO based on MgO:PPLN

A continuous wave (CW), extra-cavity singly resonant optical parametric oscillator (SRO) has been demonstrated. The SRO was based on 5% Magnesium-Oxide doped periodically-poled Lithium Nio-bate (MgO:PPLN) pumped by a Yb fiber laser centered at 1064.7 nm. The SRO was able to generate light with idler wavelengths ranging from 2.9 to 4.1 μm. For a pump power of 15 W, the idler output power varied from 7.54 W at 3.03 μm to 1.04 W at 4.05 μm. The oscillation thresholds were 2.0 W at idler wavelength 3.03 μm and 7.0 W at 4.05 μm.     

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.     

Split-ring-based metamaterial for far-field subwavelength focusing based on time reversal

In this paper, split-ring-based metamaterial sheets are designed for the purpose of achieving far-field subwavelength focusing, with the aid of a time-reversal technique. The metamaterial sheets are inserted into a subwavelength array consist- ing of four element antennas, with the element spacing being as small as 1/15 of a wavelength. Experiments are performed to investigate the effect of the metamaterial sheets on the focusing resolution. The results demonstrate that in the presence of the metamaterial sheets, the subwavelength array exhibits the ability to achieve super-resolution focusing, while there is no super-resolution focusing without the metamaterial sheets. Further investigation shows that the metamaterial sheets are contributive to achieving super-resolution by weakening the cross-correlations of the channel impulse responses between the array elements.     

Super-resolution scanning laser microscopy with a third-order optical nonlinear thin film

In a configuration of optical far-field scanning microscopy, super-resolution achieved by inserting a third-order optical nonlinear thin film is demonstrated and analyzed in terms of the frequency response function. Without the thin film the microscopy is diffraction limited; thus, subwavelength features cannot be resolved. With the nonlinear thin film inserted, the resolution is dramatically improved and thus the microscopy resolves features significantly smaller than the smallest spacing allowed by the diffraction limit. A theoretical model is established and the device is analyzed for the frequency response function. The results show that the frequency response function exceeds the cutoff spatial frequency of the microscopy defined by the laser wavelength and the numerical aperture of the convergent lens. The main contribution to the improvement of the cutoff spatial frequency is from the phase change induced by the complex transmission of the nonlinear thin film. Experimental results are presented and are shown to be consistent with the results of theoretical simulations. PACS 42.25.Bs; 42.50.St; 42.65.Hw; 42.65.Jx     

Dual wavelength lasers

Dual wavelength lasers are discussed, covering fundamental aspects on the spectroscopy and laser dynamics of these systems. Results on Tm:Ho:Er:YAG dual wavelength laser action (Ho at 2.1 μm and Er at 2.9 μm) as well as Nd:YAG (1.06 and 1.3 μm) are presented as examples of such dual wavelength systems. Dual wavelength lasers are not common, but there are criteria that govern their behavior. Based on experimental studies demonstrating simultaneous dual wavelength lasing, some general conclusions regarding the successful operation of multi-wavelength lasers can be made.