Long-range dielectric-loaded surface plasmon polariton waveguides operating at telecommunication wavelengths

We report on the realization of long-range dielectric-loaded surface plasmon polariton waveguides (LR-DLSPPWs) consisting of straight and bent subwavelength dielectric ridges deposited on thin and narrow metal stripes supported by a dielectric buffer layer covering a low-index substrate. Using imaging with a near-field optical microscope and end-fire coupling with a tapered fiber connected to a tunable laser at telecommunication wavelengths (1425-1545?nm), we demonstrate low-loss (propagation length ～500?μm) and well-confined (mode width ～1?μm) LR-DLSPPW mode guiding and determine the propagation and bend loss.     

Communication modes in scalar diffraction

The communication modes are a useful concept in studies of optical resolution, wave propagation, and image synthesis. We present an overview of earlier results on the communication modes in scalar diffraction theory. Besides the general theory, the modes are reviewed for the far-field and Fresnel regimes, and new eigenequations are derived for wide-angle diffraction. We prove a conjugate relationship between the transmitting and receiving modes in a general symmetric system. We also suggest an approximate method for far-field and Fresnel domain propagation, in which propagation amounts to a rotation of each mode in the complex plane. The main focus is on the near-field communication modes, where we present numerical examples of the modes and coupling strengths for a near-field geometry with a sub-wavelength size receiving domain. These results provide insights, for example, into the understanding of near-field scanning probe techniques.     

Channel plasmon-polariton guiding by subwavelength metal grooves

We report on realization of channel plasmon-polariton (CPP) propagation along a subwavelength metal groove. Using imaging with a near-field microscope and end-fire coupling with a tapered fiber connected to a tunable laser at telecommunication wavelengths (1425-1620 nm), we demonstrate low-loss (propagation length approximately 100 microm) and well-confined (mode width approximately 1.1 microm) CPP guiding along a triangular 0.6 microm-wide and 1 microm-deep groove in gold. We develop a simple model based on the effective-index method that accounts for the main features of CPP guiding and provides a clear physical picture of this phenomenon.     

Femtosecond laser fabrication of tubular waveguides in poly(methyl methacrylate)

Femtosecond laser direct writing is employed for the fabrication of buried tubular waveguides in bulk poly(methyl methacrylate). A novel technique using selective chemical etching is presented to resolve the two-dimensional refractive-index profile of the fabrication structures. End-to-end coupling in the waveguides reveals a near-field intensity distribution that results from the superimposition of several propagating modes with different azimuthal symmetries. Mode analysis of the tubular waveguides is performed using the finite-difference method, and the possible propagating mode profiles are compared with the experimental data.     

Two-Dimensional Numerical Simulations of Photon Scanning Tunneling Microscopy: Fourier Modal Method and R-Matrix Algorithm

Numerical simulation of a two-dimensional probe–object system for photon scanning tunneling microscope is presented. The R-matrix propagation algorithm incorporated into the Fourier modal method was used to achieve an extended capability for modeling of a realistic system consisting of both a probe and a sample. The type of the mode guided through the dielectric probe and the coupling of the near-field to fundamental guiding mode in the probe are discussed. The influence of the probe parameters on the near-field images is investigated. Three different probe shapes were simulated in the constant height scanning mode. The transmitted flux intensity through the probe was found to be strongly dependent on the tip shape. The analysis shows a good agreement of the obtained results with the available theoretical works and confirming experimental results. The proposed numerical scheme can find applications for near-field probe characterization and provides an understanding of the degree of perturbation introduced by a probe tip in the experiment.     

Near-field probing of photonic crystals

Photonic crystals form an exciting new class of optical materials that can greatly affect optical propagation and light emission. As the relevant length scale is smaller than the wavelength of light, sub-wavelength detection forms an important ingredient to obtain full insight in the physical properties of photonic crystal structures. Spatially resolved near-field measurements allow the observation of phenomena that remain hidden to diffraction-limited far-field investigations. Here, we present near-field investigations in both collection and illumination modes that highlight the power of local studies. We show how propagation losses are unambiguously determined and that light detected in far-field transmission can actually contain contributions from different, sometimes unexpected, local scattering phenomena. Simulations are used to support our findings. Furthermore, it is shown that local coupling of light to a thick three-dimensional photonic crystal is position-dependent and that the spatial distribution of the coupling efficiency itself is frequency-dependent.     

Single-mode excitation of multimode fibers with ultrashort pulses

Single-mode excitation of step-index multimode fibers with light sources with short temporal coherence lengths is demonstrated. Multimode fiber designs with reduced microbending-induced mode coupling are described that allow the propagation of the fundamental mode over long lengths with negligible mode coupling even in the presence of tight fiber bends. At a wavelength of 1.56microm a fiber with a core diameter of 45microm can preserve the fundamental mode for a propagation length of ~20m . Such fibers allow coiling with a coil diameter as small as 7cm.     

组合光纤中受激拉曼散射和四波混频研究

在抽运光和耦合条件不变的情况下,研究了熔接组合的非零色散位移单模光纤(NZDSF)和标准单模光纤(SMF)中的受激拉曼散射(SRS)和四波混频(FWM)产生和传输特征。采用532 nm脉冲激光抽运NZDSF,从20 m处开始产生以LP₀₁模传输的SRS第一级Stokes光;紧接着在30 m处产生了FWM,SRS受到FWM抑制,传输模式逐渐转化为LP₁₁模;经过80 m处熔接点后,由于熔接处双锥光纤结构使光场模式互相干涉,光波模式恢复为LP₀₁模,FWM受到抑制。该现象和机理有利于抑制密集波分复用(DWDM)系统中光学非线性失真和促进光孤子通信系统的发展。     

Enhancing surface plasmon polariton propagation by two-layer dielectric-loaded waveguides on silver surface

We report a study of a two-layer dielectric-loaded surface plasmon polariton waveguide (TDLSPPW) which consisted of two dielectric layers (high-index/low-index) on a silver film. The discontinuity of the electric field at the interfaces resulted in a concentrated field in the low-index region. It efficiently reduced the propagation loss of the surface plasmon polariton mode. The mode fields and corresponding complex propagation constants were calculated by a vector finite-difference method. The propagation properties were measured by a modified near-field optical microscope. It is confirmed that the propagation length of the proposed TDLSPPW was about 1.6 times longer than conventional single-layer SPP waveguides. In addition, a 90^° waveguide turn with 3 μm radius showed that the bending loss was smaller than 2 dB.     

Near-field characterization of glass microfibers on a low-index substrate

We characterize the propagation of infrared light inside a silica glass microfiber laid on a magnesium fluoride substrate, using both numerical simulations and near-field experiments. Propagation constants and cut-off diameter are computed by finite-element analysis, while near-field measurements reveal the evanescent tails of the modes. The microfibers display an excellent surface quality since very low scattering levels are measured, and the field distribution is in good agreement with simulations. Finally, dust scattering and coupling structure are investigated.     

方向耦合器结构参量的新型设计方法

本文应用束传播与重叠积分方法,考虑输入波导区、耦合区和输出波导区整体结构,提出了方向耦合器结构参量的新型设计方法.与耦合模及局部模等方法相比,该方法具有计算简便,结果精确等优点.     

Theoretical Analyses on the Resolution of Collection Mode Scanning Near-Field Optical Microscopy

Numerical simulations have been carried out in the framework of waveguide theory to model collection mode scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM). The theoretical model includes the optical fiber end and describes the metal coated aperture on the probe tip. The developed formalism goes beyond the existing Bethe-Bouwkamp theories for electromagnetic transmission of subwavelength apertures. The finite coating and optical fiber end are now taken into account. The new features enable us to simulate the near-field probes that are widely used in the collection mode SNOM. The emphases of the numerical analyses have been mainly on the resolution mechanism of the microscopy. Influence on the resolution from important parameters of the probe tips, such as the size of the apertures and the probe-sample distance, is extensively studied. The resolution dependence has been analyzed in the light of the near-field coupling efficiency of the probe tip. An optimum tip size has been found which is balanced between the significant signal transmission and the resolution of the device.     

Experimental Study of a Slot Antenna Excited by a TE011 Mode Coaxial Cavity

A slot antenna is developed to excite the high harmonic waveguide mode for generating large-area plasmas. This antenna consists of a TE₀₁₁ mode coaxial cavity with the axial slots positioned on equal interval on the inner wall. The waves radiated from those slots can excite the high harmonic mode in the central area. With the azimuthal symmetric wave field of the TE₀₁₁ mode, the number of the slots can be chosen to match the field pattern of the high harmonic mode. In this report, the dispersion relation of the coaxial waveguide, the coupling scheme and the mode competition of the cavity are studied. A method has been successfully developed to suppress the TE₁₂₁ mode which is the most competing mode to the TE₀₁₁ mode.     

Near-field infrared response of graphene on copper substrate

The electronic properties of graphene are very sensitive to its dielectric environment. The coupling to a metal substrate can give rise to many novel quantum effects in graphene, such as band renormalization and plasmons with unusual properties, which are of high technological interest. Infrared nanoimaging are very suitable for exploring these effects considering their energy and length scales. Here, we report near-field infrared nanoimaging studies of graphene on copper synthesized by chemical vapor deposition. Remarkably, our measurements reveal three different types of near-field optical responses of graphene, which are very distinct from the near-field edge fringes observed in the substrate. These results can be understood from the modification of optical conductivity of graphene due to its coupling with the substrate. Our work provides a framework for identifying the near-field response of graphene in graphene/metal systems and paves the way for studying their novel physics and potential applications.     

Characteristic of microstructured optical fibers: an analytical approach

We have recently developed a simple analytical model to study propagation characteristics of microstructured optical fibers (MOFs). We have used this model to study splice losses between two MOFs and also between an MOF and a conventional fiber. We have also presented here the results on evolution of fundamental mode from near-field to far-field, the effective mode area and the beam divergence using this model. Comparisons with available experimental and modeling results have also been included.     

Lasing on higher-azimuthal-order modes in vertical cavity surface emitting lasers at room temperature

We report a direct method to observe higher-azimuthal-order whispering-gallery-like modes in vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) at room temperature. Instead of introducing any defect mode, we show that suppression of lower-order cavity modes can be achieved by destroying vertical reflectors with a surface micro-structure. Perfect higher-order modes with an azimuthal number as large as 41 are observed in experiments through collecting near-field radiation patterns, as well as in numerical simulations.     

Micromagnetic dissipation, dispersion, and mode conversion in thin permalloy platelets

Micron-sized ferromagnetic Permalloy disks exhibiting an in-plane ferromagnetic vortex structure are excited by a fast rise time perpendicular magnetic field pulse and their modal structure is analyzed. We find azimuthal and axial modes. By a Fourier filtering technique we can separate and analyze the time dependence of individual modes. Analysis of the experimental data demonstrates that the azimuthal modes damp more quickly than the axial modes. We interpret these results as mode conversion from low-frequency azimuthal modes to the fundamental mode which is higher in frequency, i.e., mode-mode coupling in a system with a single Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert phenomenological damping constant alpha.     

Electrodynamic Model of the Gas Discharge Sustained by Azimuthal Surface Waves

Results of studying an electrodynamical model of the plasma producer based on azimuthal surface waves (ASW) propagation both in a cylindrical metal waveguide filled by magnetoactive plasma and along metal cylindrical antenna placed into the plasma are presented. Parameters of these gas discharges are studied in the two frequency ranges where propagation of the ASW is possible and also are compared. The value of plasma density that can be achieved by this producer is calculated. The spatial distribution of the wave electromagnetic fields, dependencies of their penetration depth into plasma and angular discharge length on the discharge parameters are studied analytically and numerically. Advantages of the operation in the both frequency ranges are indicated. Possibility of resonant absorption of the ASW energy due to their conversion into the bulk upper hybrid mode is examined as well.     

Propagation and nanofocusing of infrared surface plasmons on tapered transmission lines: Influence of the substrate

We study the propagation of mid-infrared surface plasmons on non-tapered and tapered two-wire transmission lines on Si and CaF₂ substrates, the two materials representing substrates with large and small refractive index, respectively. A comparative numerical study predicts a larger effective wavelength and an increased propagation length (i.e. weaker damping) for the CaF₂ substrate. By near-field microscopy we image the near-field distribution along the transmission lines and experimentally verify surface plasmon propagation. Amplitude- and phase-resolved near-field images of a non-tapered transmission line on CaF₂ reveal a standing wave pattern caused by back-reflection of the surface plasmons at the open-ended transmission line. Calculated and experimental near-field images of tapered transmission lines on Si and CaF₂ demonstrate that for both substrates the mid-IR surface plasmons are compressed when propagating along the taper. Importantly, the nanofocus at the taper apex yields a stronger local field enhancement for the low-refractive index substrate CaF₂. We assign the more efficient nanofocusing on CaF₂ to the weaker damping of the surface plasmons.     

Fiber acousto-optic mode coupling between the higher-order modes with adjacent azimuthal numbers

It is pointed out theoretically that fiber acousto-optic mode coupling can occur between the higher-order modes with adjacent azimuthal numbers. Selective fiber mode conversion from LP01 to LP11, and then to LP21 or LP02 is demonstrated experimentally in a few-mode fiber by using a method of cascaded acousto-optic mode coupling.