Classifying the transmission resonances of a subwavelength aperture within a thin metallic film by breaking the symmetry

Here by introducing an I-shape structure to break the symmetry of a thin metallic film, the contributions of Fabry–Perot (FP) resonance-like modes and surface plasmon polariton (SPP) resonance-like are determined. The finite difference-time domain (FDTD) simulation is utilized to provide a clear picture of the electromagnetic field distribution and transmission profile. The FP matrix method is employed to specify the contribution of FP resonance. Some of the predicted resonances of the FP matrix method coincide with the simulation result which is labeled as FP resonance-like modes. The remaining resonance modes in transmission profile are considered as SPP resonance-like modes. Our results provide explicit evidence that both FP resonator modes and SPP resonance are responsible for extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) through a subwavelength aperture.     

Subwavelength metal structures with tunable transmission characteristics by light

Extraordinary optical transmission(EOT) in subwavelength metal structures has been studied widely.Herein, we propose a strategy for tuning the EOT of the bullseye structure. Specifically, the bullseye structure was immersed in a nonlinear medium, and a controlling light was employed to change the refractive index of the medium. At different intensities and distributions of controlling light, the transmission property of signal light in the bullseye structure was simulated. The results show that a variable transmission spectrum in the bullseye structure can be realized. Moreover, the position of the central transmission peak shifts linearly with the increasing intensity of controlling light.     

An electrically tunable metasurface integrated with graphene for mid-infrared light modulation

We propose a low-cost plasmonic metasurface integrated with single-layer graphene for dynamic modulation of midinfrared light. The plasmonic metasurface is composed of an array of split magnetic resonators(MRs) where a nano slit is included. Extraordinary optical transmission(EOT) through the deep subwavelength slit is observed by excitation of magnetic plasmons in the split MRs. Furthermore, the introduction of the slit provides strongly enhanced fields around the graphene layer, leading to a large tuning effect on the EOT by changing the Fermi energy of the graphene. The proposed metasurface can be utilized as an optical modulator with a broad modulation width(15 μm) or an optical switch with a high on/off ratio( 100). Meanwhile, the overall thickness of the metasurface is 430 nm, which is tens of times smaller than the operating wavelength. This work may have potential applications in mid-infrared optoelectrical devices and give insights into reconfigurable flat optics and optoelectronics.     

Critical process of extraordinary optical transmission through periodic subwavelength hole array: Hole-assisted evanescent-field coupling

We present a new explanation of the extraordinary optical transmission through subwavelength hole array in metal films. By using the classical coupled-wave theory, we analyzed the coupling process between light and the surface plasmons wave on metal films with hole array. The analysis shows clearly the physical mechanism of extraordinary optical transmission. The calculation demonstrates that, instead of energy flux directly passing through the holes, the electromagnetic modes could exchange energy by overlapping the evanescent fields under the assistance of hole array. The periodicity of the array provides the momentum-matching condition to present the transmission peaks. The theory exhibits a good agreement with the experimental results reported in every detail.     

Anomalous transmission of terahertz wave through one-dimensional lamellar metallic grating

The anomalous transmission through one-dimensional lamellar metallic gratings was investigated in terahertz (THz) regime. The extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) is identified to originate from two possible ways: coupling of incident light with waveguide resonances and coupling of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) at the upper and lower interfaces of metal grating. The dual effects of SPPs have been clarified in this study: (i) the excitation of SPP modes at each individual interface results in the weakness of the THz wave transmission; and (ii) the coupling of SPP modes at two interfaces of metal grating is attributed to enhancement of THz wave transmission. The enhanced transmission is dominated by the coupling of incident light with transverse waveguide resonances. Numerical simulation based on finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) agrees well with experimental results.     

中红外下半导体掺杂调制的表面等离子体透射增强效应

理论研究了平面电磁波通过n型重掺GaAs薄膜的透射谱.当GaAs薄膜两表面刻上亚波长的周期性沟槽结构时,透射谱在中红外波段出现了异常的透射增强现象.把这一现象归因于表面等离子体模式和波导模式的耦合.通过优化结构参数可以得到最大的透射效率.此外,发现随着掺杂浓度的升高,透射谱线中的透射峰逐渐向高频方向移动,最优化后透射峰值随掺杂浓度的升高而逐渐降低.这是由于掺杂浓度的改变,导致了不同的等离子体频率和电子碰撞频率,从而影响了激发模式和薄膜对电磁波的吸收. 关键词： 表面等离子体 掺杂半导体 增强透射 掺杂调制     

Influence of vertex angles on the extraordinary optical transmission characteristics of triangular and bow-tie-shaped apertures

The influence of vertex angles on the extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) characteristics of isosceles triangular apertures is numerically investigated with a three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. It has been found that the resonant peak characteristics are dependent on the vertex angles of triangular aperture (TA) and the polarized directions of incident light. The resonant peak amplitude is dramatically decreased, when the vertex angle is increased. A blue-shift/red-shift phenomenon is observed in both of the two cases. Detailed studies indicate that the transmission peak characteristics are due to the effects of localized surface plasmon modes excited along the sidewalls and Fabry–Pérot-like resonance. The EOT performance of TA arrays is compared with that of the rectangular aperture arrays. In addition, a bow-tie-shaped aperture (BTA) can be recognized as two overlapped TAs. The EOT properties of BTA with varying bow angles are also studied and analyzed.     

Theory of extraordinary transmission of light through quasiperiodic arrays of subwavelength holes

By using a theoretical formalism able to work in both real and k spaces, the physical origin of the phenomenon of extraordinary transmission of light through quasiperiodic arrays of holes is revealed. Long-range order present in a quasiperiodic array selects the wave vector(s) of the surface electromagnetic mode(s) that allows an efficient transmission of light through subwavelength holes.     

90% Extraordinary optical transmission in the visible range through annular aperture metallic arrays

We demonstrate what we believe to be the first experimental extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) of up to 90%, thanks to a well-identified guided mode that propagates through annular apertures engraved into an optically thick silver layer. In spite of the metal losses, high transmission can be obtained by adjusting the geometrical parameters of the fabricated structure, as was already theoretically demonstrated. To our knowledge, this is the first study showing such a large transmission in the visible range.     

Nonresonant broadband funneling of light via ultrasubwavelength channels

Enhancing and funneling light efficiently through deep subwavelength apertures is essential in harnessing light-matter interaction. Thus far, this has been accomplished resonantly, by exciting the structural surface plasmons of perforated nanostructured metal films, a phenomenon known as extraordinary optical transmission. Here, we present a new paradigm structure which possesses all the capabilities of extraordinary optical transmission platforms, yet operates nonresonantly on a distinctly different mechanism. Our proposed platform demonstrates efficient ultrabroadband funneling of optical power confined in an area as small as ～(λ/500)(2), where optical fields are enhanced, thus exhibiting functional possibilities beyond resonant platforms. We analyze the nonresonant mechanism underpinning such a phenomenon with a simple quasistatic picture, which shows excellent agreement with our numerical simulations.     

Near-Zero-Sidelobe Optical Subwavelength Asymmetric Focusing Lens with Dual-Layer Metasurfaces

Existing metasurfaces with ultrathin volume for asymmetric transmission are often constructed from metal with low efficiency in optical frequencies, and cannot realize optical asymmetric transmission and focusing simultaneously. Although acoustic asymmetric focusing in asymmetric focusing lenses (AFL) has been realized, the obtained focal point is accompanied by a large sidelobe. To solve these problems, an AFL with dual-layer metasurfaces designed by using impedance matching materials can realize optical asymmetric transmission and focusing simultaneously in this paper. Furthermore, through optimizing the design theory of AFL, near-zero-sidelobe (NZS) focusing can be realized on the subwavelength scale. NZS asymmetric focusing of the optimized AFL is effective in broadband, which is expected to show tremendous potential in optical micro-nanoprocessing, quantum communication, optical micromanipulation, etc.     

Enhanced optical transmission through a nanoslit by coupling light between periodic strips and metal film

Surface plasmon resonance （SPR） is obtained by exciting the surface plasmon （SP） at the metal and dielectric interface, which can greatly enhance the extraordinary optical transmission （EOT） through a nanoslit milled in the metal film. We present a structure with a 50-nm-wide silver nanoslit for EOT by coupling light into the dielectric interlayer between periodic strips and a metal film. When the period of the metallic strips is equal to the wavelength of the SPR, the transmission efficiency of 187.6 through the nanoslit is enhanced. The metallic strip width over the nanoslit is optimized to improve transmission efficiency, and the maximal efficiency of 204.3 is achieved.     

声子晶体和声学超构材料

声子晶体和声学超构材料进一步拓展了自然界中声学材料的弹性波性质.这种人工的复合结构材料,由于其周期结构的布拉格散射和局域共振特性,使得其具有奇异的色散特征,在某些频段具有负的有效弹性参数,带来了许多新颖的声学传播效应,例如声子带隙效应、负折射效应、超棱镜效应、超透镜效应、异常透射效应、异常隔声效应等.与此同时,在声子晶体和声学超构材料表面,一类具有亚波长特性的声表面倏逝波也引起了人们的关注,研究其激发、传播、耦合的过程对揭示声子晶体和声学超构材料的奇异声传播效应的物理本质具有重要意义.声子晶体和声学超构材料作为一类新型的人工声学结构材料,在隔声、防振、热控制以及新型声学器件研发等方面具有巨大的应用前景.文章综述了近十几年来国际国内关于声子晶体和声学超构材料的研究进展,并对其未来的研究发展方向做一评述.     

渔网电磁超介质左手通带的超常透射及其电场增强效应的数值研究

本文利用电磁场数值模拟方法研究了分布矩形孔阵列的"金属-电介质-金属"三明治渔网电磁超介质在其左手通带发生的超常透射现象和不同模式激发下的电场增强效应。结果证实左手通带紧邻的超常光学传输峰源于波导共振模式,利用超常传输效应可以有效降低电磁超介质的损耗,提高左手性能;波导共振模和左手通带对应的反对称磁模能够分别在孔洞和金属夹层区域激发超过11倍的增强电场,因此渔网电磁超介质结构在表面增强光谱和传感等方面也具有潜在应用价值。     

Mid-infrared heavily n-doped GaAs extraordinary transmission through subwavelength grooves

Transmission of an electromagnetic wave from a heavily doped n-type GaAs film is studied theoretically. The calculations are performed using the two-dimensional finite-different time-domain method. From the calculations, we find the extraordinary transmission of p-polarized waves through the film with subwavelength grooves on both surfaces at mid-infrared frequencies. By determining a set of groove parameters, we optimize the transmission to as high as 55.2%. We ascribe this extraordinary transmission to the coupling of the surface-plasmon polariton modes and waveguide modes. Such an enhanced transmission device can be useful for mid-infrared wave filters, emitters, and monitors.     

基于增益媒质的亚波长纳米阵列超传输特性研究

增益媒质因其优良的放大特性和广阔的应用前景吸引了国内外学者的广泛关注,然而,激发增益媒质补偿欧姆损耗需要较强的外部能量,极大地限制了增益媒质的发展前景。本文使用辅助位微分方程的时域有限差分方法研究了麦克斯韦方程与半经典的电子速率方程相耦合的自洽仿真过程,并基于四能级原子系统描述的增益媒质和异常光传输现象间的耦合机制,提出了一种新颖的含亚波长周期裂缝的增益/金属/增益纳米阵列结构。研究结果表明,本文提出的纳米结构可以使用较低外部能量实现完全补偿欧姆损耗的目的。该结果对深入了解纳米结构和增益媒质之间的相互作用有着重要的意义。     

Subwavelength imaging enhancement through a three-dimensional plasmon superlens with rough surface

In this Letter we investigate the subwavelength imaging of a three-dimensional plasmon superlens based on the full vector wave simulations of optical wave propagation and transmission. The optical transfer functions are computed. Comparisons are made between the results of lenses with flat and periodic/random rough surfaces. We also study the problem of practical imaging system geometry using laser as an illumination source. Results show that the lens with periodic or random roughness can reduce the field interference effects, and provide improved focus on the transmission field and the Poynting flux. We illustrate that the subwavelength roughness in a plasmon lens can enhance the image resolution over a flat lens for both matched and unmatched permittivity conditions. The enhancement of resolution occurs because the introduced subwavelength roughness can amplify the evanescent wave components and suppress the surface plasmon resonance peaks.     

Mechanism of enhancing output power of plasmonic very-small-aperture lasers

Light transmission through a single subwavelength slit surrounded by periodic grooves in layered films consisting of Au and dielectric material is analyzed by the finite difference time domain method in two dimensions. The results show that the transmission field can be enhanced by the corrugations on the output plane, which is a supplementary explanation for the extraordinary optical transmission. PACS 78.20.-e; 78.20.Bh; 78.20.Ci; 78.70.-g     

Optical control over surface-plasmon-polariton-assisted THz transmission through a slit aperture

We demonstrate optical control over the transmission of terahertz (THz) radiation through a single subwavelength slit in an otherwise opaque silicon wafer. The addition of periodic corrugation on each side of the wafer allows coupling to surface plasmon polaritons, so that light not impinging directly on the slit can contribute to the transmission. A significant enhancement of the THz transmission can be achieved through control of the surface wave propagation length by excitation at optical wavelengths. The observed transmission increase is in distinct contrast to the reduction reported for photoexcitation of arrays of holes in semiconductors.     

Resonant transmission of light through finite chains of subwavelength holes in a metallic film

In this Letter we show that the extraordinary optical transmission phenomenon found before in 2D hole arrays is already present in a linear chain of subwavelength holes, which can be considered as the basic geometrical unit showing this property. In order to study this problem, we have developed a new theoretical framework, able to analyze the optical properties of finite collections of subwavelength apertures and/or dimples (of any shape and placed in arbitrary positions) drilled in a metallic film.