Extremely high transmission of light through a nanohole inside a photonic crystal

The transmission of light through single nanoholes with diameters considerably smaller than the wavelength of light (smaller than ??/10) is experimentally studied. The nanoholes were made in a gold film, which is a part of a photonic crystal forming a microcavity with the quality factor Q ?? 100. A 28-fold increase in the transmission of light through a nanohole inside the microcavity compared to transmission through a nanohole in a gold film is demonstrated. The high spectral selectivity of light transmission through a nanohole is discovered, which is characterized by two features: (i) the transmission maximum is located at the resonance wavelength of the microcavity and (ii) the peak full width at half-maximum is about ??/90.     

Finite-difference time-domain studies of low-frequency stop band in superconductor-dielectric superlattice

<正>The transmission coefficients of electromagnetic(EM) waves due to a superconductor-dielectric superlattice are numerically calculated.Shift operator finite difference time domain(SO-FDTD) method is used in the analysis.By using the SO-FDTD method,the transmission spectrum is obtained and its characteristics are investigated for different thicknesses of superconductor layers and dielectric layers,from which a stop band starting from zero frequency can be apparently observed.The relation between this low-frequency stop band and relative temperature,and also the London penetration depth at a superconductor temperature of zero degree are discussed,separately.The low-frequency stop band properties of superconductor-dielectric superlattice thus are well disclosed.     

Strong optical transmission through the ellipsoid metal-film nanohole arrays

The transmission characteristics of a metallic film with subwavelength ellipsoid nanohole arrays are investigated by using the three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain (3D-FDTD) method. The extraordinary transmission is attributed to the collaboration of localized waveguide resonance and surface plasmon resonance. The influences of the lattice constant and the hole shape on the transmission are studied. By analyzing the picture of electric field and electromagnetic energy distribution, we show the mechanisms of the two different resonances: Localized waveguide resonance mode can be confined inside the ellipsoid holes region, while electric field and electromagnetic energy are localized separately at the two ends of ellipsoid holes for the surface plasma resonance mode. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 60708014), the Distinguished Youth Foundation of Hunan Province (Grant No. 03JJY1008), the Science Foundation for Post-doctorate of China (Grant No. 2004035083), and the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province (Grant No. 06JJ20034)     

Strong polarization in the optical transmission through elliptical nanohole arrays

Strong polarization dependence is observed in the optical transmission through nanohole arrays in metals. It is shown that the degree of polarization is determined by the ellipticity and orientation of the holes; the polarization axis lies perpendicular to the broad edge of the ellipse. Furthermore, the depolarization ratio shows a squared dependence on the aspect ratio of the holes, which is discussed in terms of coupling into and out of the surface plasmon modes. The observed results will be useful for tailoring the polarization behavior of metallic nanophotonic elements in many applications, including surface plasmon enhanced optical sensing and ultrafast optical switching.     

Finite-difference time-domain analysis of refractive index grating on planar light waveguide circuit with optically trapped gold particles

The super-resolution capability of scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) with a gold particle is studied by the two-dimensional finite-difference time-domain (2D FDTD) method. We obtain SNOM signals by integrating the far field within the numerical aperture of an objective lens for a refractive index grating by scanning optically trapped gold particles with different diameters illuminated by focused laser light at the wavelength of 515 nm. The signal is strong at a high refractive index of the grating and exhibits similar behavior to that obtained in the experiment with the grating fabricated on a planar light waveguide circuit with a period of 1060 nm. Furthermore, the signal modulation increases as the gold particle diameter decreases and reaches 0.82 at a diameter of 50 nm.     

Double nanohole apex-enhanced transmission in metal films

We first present experimental results of enhanced transmission through nanofabricated double-hole arrays in a gold film. An increase in the transmission is observed when the holes are overlapping to produce two apexes, with the transmission more than doubling when the apexes are nearly touching. When the holes are non-overlapping, the transmission maximum drops. The measured spectra through these arrays showed a red-shift in the peak transmission wavelength around 770 nm of nearly 30 nm. These experimental results agree well with our finite-difference time-domain simulations of the double-hole arrays. PACS 78.66.Bz; 42.79.Ag; 42.79.Dj     

2.5维模拟中时域有限差分近-远场变换方法

为进行从高功率微波源到天线辐射整个系统的2.5维模拟,在近场模拟的基础上对2.5维模拟中时域有限差分(FDTD)的近-远场变换方法进行了研究。先将2.5维近场模拟区的输出边界绕对称轴旋转一周,得到封闭的3维圆柱面;然后根据等效原理由该封闭面上的FDTD近场求得等效电磁流;再根据自由空间中电流及磁流的时域辐射场公式计算出电磁流的远区辐射场。给出了2.5维模拟中TM01模式及TE01模式激励下圆锥喇叭远区辐射算例,所得计算结果与3维全电磁模拟软件CST的计算结果符合较好。     

2.5维模拟中时域有限差分近-远场变换方法

 为进行从高功率微波源到天线辐射整个系统的2.5维模拟,在近场模拟的基础上对2.5维模拟中时域有限差分(FDTD)的近-远场变换方法进行了研究。先将2.5维近场模拟区的输出边界绕对称轴旋转一周,得到封闭的3维圆柱面;然后根据等效原理由该封闭面上的FDTD近场求得等效电磁流;再根据自由空间中电流及磁流的时域辐射场公式计算出电磁流的远区辐射场。给出了2.5维模拟中TM01模式及TE01模式激励下圆锥喇叭远区辐射算例,所得计算结果与3维全电磁模拟软件CST的计算结果符合较好。     

Multilayer structures with magnetically controlled light transmission

Taking into account the gyromagnetic properties of multilayer two-component structures of which one or both components are magnetoactive materials shows that their optical properties can be controlled by an external magnetic field. In particular, when applied to multilayer structures with a phase shift (defect), the magnetic field changes (decreases or increases) the width of the spectral resonance curve of the transmission coefficient. The application of longitudinal and transverse (relative to the light propagation direction) magnetic fields gives different results. Analysis shows that the effects observed may find application, for example, in fiber optics.     

Finite-difference time-domain simulation of ultrashort pulse propagation incorporating quantum-mechanical response functions

A semiclassical implementation of the finite-difference time-domain method is used to simulate coherent linear propagation of ultrashort mid-infrared pulses through optically dense samples of isotropically diluted liquid water. Bloch equations for the density matrix are used as a simple model of the O--H oscillator relaxation, and the algorithm is extended to other response functions. Sensitivity of the field to the form of the response function is demonstrated, and the results are compared with experimentally determined electric fields in the same media [Rev. Sci. Instrum. 73, 2227 (2002)].     

Delay in light transmission through small apertures

We demonstrate a technique for measuring pulse propagation time delays with 0.5-fs resolution by use of a widely available 100-fs pulsed laser. Using this technique, we measured the time delay of a light pulse transiting through subwavelength apertures placed on a 0.3-mum metallic film. We measured a 7-fs total transit time, corresponding to an effective group velocity of c/7 . The experimental result yielded additional evidence that light interacts resonantly with oscillators formed by the surface modes near the small apertures.     

Ultrahigh light transmission through a C-shaped nanoaperture

Optical resolution beyond the diffraction limit can be achieved by use of a metallic nanoaperture in a near-field optical system. Conventional nanoapertures have very low power throughput. Using a numerical finite-difference time domain method, we discovered a unique C-shaped aperture that provides approximately 3 orders of magnitude more power throughput than a conventional square aperture with a similar near-field spot size of approximately 0.1 lambda. Microwave experiments at 6 GHz quantitatively confirmed the simulated transmission enhancement. The high transmission of the C-aperture--or one of the related shapes--is linked to both a propagation mode in the aperture and local surface plasmons.     

Tunneling mechanism of light transmission through metallic films

A mechanism of light transmission through metallic films is proposed, assisted by tunneling between resonating buried dielectric inclusions. This is illustrated by arrays of Si spheres embedded in Ag. Strong transmission peaks are observed near the Mie resonances of the spheres. The interaction among various planes of spheres and interference effects between these resonances and the surface plasmons of Ag lead to mixing and splitting of the resonances. Transmission is proved to be limited only by absorption. For small spheres, the effective dielectric constant of the resulting material can be tuned to values close to unity, and a method is proposed to turn the resulting materials invisible.     

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.     

Universal optimal transmission of light through disordered materials

We experimentally demonstrate increased diffuse transmission of light through strongly scattering materials. Wave front shaping is used to selectively couple light to the open transport eigenchannels, specific solutions of Maxwell's equations which the sample transmits fully, resulting in an increase of up to 44% in the total angle-integrated transmission compared to the case where plane waves are incident. The results for each of several hundreds of experimental runs are in excellent quantitative agreement with random matrix theory. From our measurements we conclude that with perfectly shaped wave fronts the transmission of a disordered sample tends to a universal value of 2/3, regardless of the thickness.     

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.     

Finite-difference time-domain modeling of curved material interfaces by using boundary condition equations method

To deal with the staircase approximation problem in the standard finite-difference time-domain(FDTD) simulation,the two-dimensional boundary condition equations(BCE) method is proposed in this paper.In the BCE method,the standard FDTD algorithm can be used as usual,and the curved surface is treated by adding the boundary condition equations.Thus,while maintaining the simplicity and computational efficiency of the standard FDTD algorithm,the BCE method can solve the staircase approximation problem.The BCE method is validated by analyzing near field and far field scattering properties of the PEC and dielectric cylinders.The results show that the BCE method can maintain a second-order accuracy by eliminating the staircase approximation errors.Moreover,the results of the BCE method show good accuracy for cylinder scattering cases with different permittivities.     

Enhanced light transmission through a single subwavelength aperture

The optical transmission through a subwavelength aperture in a metal film is strongly enhanced when the incident light is resonant with surface plasmons at the corrugated metal surface surrounding the aperture. Conversely, the aperture acts as a novel probe of the surface plasmons, yielding useful insights for optimizing the transmission enhancement. For the optimal corrugation geometry, a set of concentric circular grooves, three times more light is transmitted through the central subwavelength aperture than directly impinges upon it. This effect is useful in the fabrication of near-field optical devices with extremely high optical throughput.     

High light transmission through thin absorptive corrugated films

The enhancement of light transmittance through periodically relief thin absorptive film at surface plasmon polariton excitation conditions, as a function of relief interrelation, was considered theoretically. Our calculation of transmittance-reflectance through periodically relief thin absorptive film was performed in the framework of differential formalism. There are two basic relief interrelation forms, namely, correlated and anticorrelated ones. The obtained spectral and angular dependencies demonstrate an essential increase of surface plasmon polariton peaks in the case of anticorrelated corrugation of film in comparison with the correlated ones.     

Optical transmission properties of light propagation through Fibonacci-class ring-resonators

An interesting topology with easy integration capability (from mask designing aspect) for optical filters using Fibonacci-class (FC(J,n)) ring-resonators is introduced. For some special cases, analytical transfer function (Transmission Coefficient H_m⁽ⁿ⁾) is obtained and corresponding simulated result is illustrated. In this work, optical multi-band filter design and analysis using Fibonacci-class ring resonators is considered. With suitable selection of system parameters and FC(J,n), we report multi-band characteristic for this structure. Also, dominant factors effects on multi-band operation are shown. We show that the coupling coefficients, effectively affects (e.g. generation or annihilation of additional band) the multi-band properties obtained in proposed structure. Also, the bandwidth and position of additional band can be controlled using Fibonacci-class basic elements (A, B) parameters such as rings diameters. Also, proposed system is easier than general multistage rings coupled to main waveguide from implementation point of view.