Ultra-elongated depth of focus of plasmonic lenses with concentric elliptical slits under Gaussian beam illumination

In this paper, we discuss the influence of ratio of minor to major axis on the propagation property and focusing performance of a plasmonic lens with variant periodic concentric elliptical slits illuminating under a Gaussian beam. In order to analyse the influence theoretically, a finite-difference time-domain （FDTD） numerical algorithm is adopted for the computational numerical calculation and the design of the plasmonic structure. The structure is flanked with penetrated slits through a 200-nm metal film （Au） which is coated on a quartz substrate. Tunability of focusing capability of the plasmonic lenses is studied by tailoring the ratio. Our calculation results demonstrate that the ratio of the elliptical slits greatly affects the focusing capability of the lense. The plasmonic lenses with concentric elliptical slits illuminating under a Gaussian beam have ultra-elongated depth of focus. These results are very encouraging for the future study of the plasmonic lens-based applications.     

Optical phase front control in a metallic grating with equally spaced alternately tapered slits

A technique capable of focusing and bending electromagnetic （EM） waves through plasmonic gratings with equally spaced alternately tapered slits has been introduced. Phase resonances are observed in the optical response of transmission gratings, and the EM wave passes through the tuning slits in the form of surface plasmon polaritons （SPPs） and obtains the required phase retardation to focus at the focal plane. The bending effect is achieved by constructing an asymmetric phase front which results from the tapered slits and gradient refractive index （GRIN） distribution of the dielectric material. Rigorous electromagnetic analysis by using the two-dimensional （2D） finite difference time domain （FDTD） method is employed to verify our proposed designs. When the EM waves are incident at an angle on the optical axis, the beam splitting effect can also be achieved. These index-modulated slits are demonstrated to have unique advantages in beam manipulation compared with the width-modulated ones. In combination with previous studies, it is expected that our results could lead to the realization of ootimum designs for plasmonic nanolenses.     

Influence of grooves in the electromagnetic transmission of a periodic metallic grating filter

The light transmittance of metal film with periodic slits and grooves structure has been investigated. It was demonstrated that the grooves significantly affect the transmittance of the metal film. The structure excavating two grooves symmetric to the central slit in a cell of a period grating displays a dent in the transmission spectrum comparing with the structure with only one slit in the cell. Deepening the grooves moves the dents to the longer wavelengths in the transmission spectrum. An analytical equation is also provided to approximately locate the dents. The grooves in the grating filter supply the advantage of removing the needless transmission of certain frequency.     

Similarities and differences for light-induced surface plasmons in one- and two-dimensional symmetrical metallic nanostructures

Two types of double-sided nanostructure, one possessing a slit aperture with parallel grooves and the other possessing a circular aperture with concentric grooves, were fabricated to examine the similarities and differences of their diffraction behavior in one-dimensional (1-D) and two-dimensional (2-D) nanostructures. Based on the projection-slice theory, we conjecture that the surface plasmons in these two different nano-scale grooves possess similar modes. A localized surface plasmon (LSP) was used to examine the transmission characteristics induced by the apertures. The transmission characteristics of the slitted nanostructure and the circular nanostructure aperture were then measured. We coupled the transmission spectra measured from these two apertures with a 1-D parallel groove transmission curve simulated by a 1-D rigorous coupled wave analysis. Measured spectra results show reasonable agreement with the simulated data. We propose that the apparent blueshift observed in the peak frequency of a 2-D nanostructure is due to the difference in the shape of the aperture and the spot transmission characteristics of 1-D and 2-D systems as induced by a LSP.     

Giant optical transmission of a subwavelength slit optimized using the magnetic field phase

In this Letter, we show that the energy equivalent to that incident on a 4.7 microm wide strip can be squeezed through a 50 nm wide slit in a metal film surrounded by grooves. This corresponds to a transmission efficiency of 9400%, which can be even further enhanced by increasing the number of grooves. We use the phase of the magnetic field to explain that the ideal slit-to-groove distance is just over half the plasmon wavelength. In addition, we also optimize the groove depth and width. Such optimized transmission enhancement is very important for near-field devices.     

金属层亚波长狭缝中光波耦合

亚波长波导能够控制光在亚波长的尺寸中以很小损耗传输,在集成光学中有广泛的应用。利用二维时域有限差分(FDTD)法,研究了光波在金属层中亚波长两狭缝之间的耦合过程。分别在较厚的金属层前表面和后表面刻上两个狭缝,纵向错开一定距离(间距),横向重叠一定长度(耦合长度),两个狭缝能够将光波从金属层的前表面耦合到后表面。改变两个狭缝长度、间距和耦合长度等参数,耦合波长和效率发生明显变化。结合振幅分布,认为光波在两狭缝形成波导共振,前表面狭缝的共振将入射波能量耦合进入狭缝中,后表面狭缝的共振将能量耦合出去,两个狭缝之间通过隧穿效应耦合。     

Metal nanoslit lenses with polarization-selective design

We present comprehensive studies on thin diffraction lenses made of arrays of subwavelength, parallel nanoslits in a gold film. Such a nanoslit lens can operate either as a conventional convex or concave lens. The lenses can be designed to focus linearly polarized light with polarization either perpendicular (TM-lens) or parallel to the slits (TE-lens), while the orthogonal polarization diverges when passing through the lens. The designs of each lens are initially built on the dispersion relations for wave propagation through a parallel-plate waveguide. Both TM- and TE-lenses were realized experimentally, and full-wave numerical simulations fully support the experimental results.     

Optical transmission through double-layer metallic subwavelength slit arrays

We present measurements of transmission of infrared radiation through double-layer metallic grating structures. Each metal layer contains an array of subwavelength slits and supports transmission resonance in the absence of the other layer. The two metal layers are fabricated in close proximity to allow coupling of the evanescent field on individual layers. The transmission of the double layer is found to be surprisingly large at particular wavelengths, even when no direct line of sight exists through the structure as a result of the lateral shifts between the two layers. We perform numerical simulations using rigorous coupled wave analysis to explain the strong dependence of the peak transmission on the lateral shift between the metal layers.     

Beyond-limit light focusing in the intermediate zone

We experimentally verify that a new nanolens of a designed plasmonic aperture can focus visible light to a single line with its width smaller than the limit of half the wavelength in the intermediate zone. The experimental measurement indicates that while the near field plays a role to increase the spot size in the near zone, it is negligible at the beyond-limit focused region; i.e., the focused light is dominated by the radiative fields. The image taken by the optical microscope shows that the fields focused have propagated to the far zone. Besides being of academic interest, the nanolens capable in achieving a lower diffraction limit in the intermediate zone is important for application possibilities.     

Plasmonic planar lens based on stack of metal–insulator–metal waveguides with height tuning

We introduce a technique capable of focusing electromagnetic (EM) waves through plasmonic nanoslits symmetrically arranged along the indented semi-circular surface in silver background. The EM transports through the tuning slits in the form of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs), and gets the required phase retardations to focus at the focal plane. Due to the subwavelength nature of planar metallic lens, we present the rigorous electromagnetic analysis by using two dimensional (2D) finite difference time domain (FDTD) method. These height-modulated slits with uniform width are demonstrated to have unique advantages in beam manipulation. In combination with previous studies, it is expected that our structure with small number of slits could lead to realization of optimum designs of plasmonic nano-lens.     

Quasi-Talbot effect of the sub-wavelength Ag grating

When a TM-polarized beam incidents normally on a thick sub-wavelength Ag grating with small opening ratio, self-images form in the transparent dielectric layer due to contributions not only from waves radiating from the slits, but also from the Surface Plasmons (SPs) created on Ag surface. These two contributions make the self-images connect together along the propagation direction and form continuous stripes with period equal to half of that of the grating. We define this phenomenon as quasi-Talbot effect. For a thin sub-wavelength Ag grating or a grating with large opening ratio, its intensity distribution conforms to the conventional Talbot effect. Investigation on quasi-Talbot effect of sub-wavelength metal grating can develop new applications in nano-scale devices.     

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.     

介质覆层下金属周期结构变化对TE波异常透射特性的影响

根据金属光栅结构变化对TE波异常透射特性影响的研究需要,建立了相应的模型。应用时域有限差分(FDTD)方法分别计算了单缝结构、多缝结构、不同宽度和不同周期等结构下的透射分布特征。研究发现添加凹槽会对金属表面能量的传递起阻碍作用。透射频域宽度随薄膜宽度增加而增加。随着狭缝宽度的增加,透射率分布曲线包络线趋于平坦,主透射峰短波长侧透射曲线分布基本不变,而主透射峰及其长波长侧的透射曲线分布变宽。这说明宽度的变化影响了表面共振模式,从而影响透射的分布。单个狭缝的透射与多周期结构相比,透射率曲线几乎重合,表明狭缝对表面模式没有调制作用,各狭缝的透射相对独立。     

Beaming of light through depth-tuned plasmonic nanostructures

A nanostructure comprising dielectric/Ag interface with central slit surrounded by grooves is presented for beam focusing and collimating. Desired phase retardations of the beam emerging through slits are manipulated by tuning the depth of grooves. Numerical simulations are performed through a finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) algorithm. Results reveal the suitability of parabolic depth-tuned structure for enhanced transmission and beam collimation. Enhanced transmission and beam collimation are the result of transportation of electromagnetic energy in the form of surface plasmon polariton (SPP) waves.     

Inward electromagnetic wave coupling in hybrid subwavelength structures illuminated with secondary imaging

Subwavelength structures hybridized with slits and grooves in metallic films exhibit extraordinary optical properties for manipulation of light. A Green method is developed to investigate the wave coupling physics in the hybrid subwavelength structures, while source-image arrangement in bounded spaces is employed to obtain the Green's functions for the hybrid units. We find that secondary imaging is induced at a horizontal boundary to provide an inward wave propagation mechanism to couple the wave scattered by groove back into slit. Sophisticated self-consistent framework derived from our method that involves the wave couplings is then developed to study the physics origin of the extraordinary optical properties. The case of a slit in a metal film with patterned grooves on the output side for beaming and that of a two-layer metal film with indented double slit for beyond-limit focusing are analyzed. Our Green method, which automatically includes the Fourier high-order modes, is concise in formulation and thus yields accurate solutions. Explicit analytical models are rigorously developed to address wave coupling physics problems in subwavelength structure.     

Squeezing millimeter waves into microns

Microstructured metallic devices will play a vital role in the continuing search to manipulate the passage of electromagnetic radiation relevant to optical, microwave, and communication technologies. Here, we investigate the electromagnetic response of a completely novel and ultrathin (< wavelength) structure within which is buried a metal-clad waveguiding layer ("core") of subwavelength width. By removing metal from the core cladding to form a periodic array of slits, radiation is coupled into a standing wave within the layer and the structure resonantly absorbs or transmits radiation of wavelength more than 100 times its thickness. Additionally, such structures display the truly remarkable capability of compressing half of the standing-wave wavelength into a fraction of the expected distance.     

Remote nano-optical beam focusing lens by illusion optics

In this paper, as a new application of illusion optics, a nano-optical plasmonic focusing lens structure is proposed to manipulate the light remotely by employing illusion optics theory. Plasmonic nano-optic lenses that enable super-focusing beyond the diffraction limit have been proposed as an alternative to the conventional dielectric-based refractive lenses. In the presence of an illusion device, the electromagnetic plane-waves can penetrate into a metal layer and a clear focus appears. When the illusion device is removed, waves are blocked to transmit through the metal wall. In comparison with conventional methods, our proposed method avoids any physical changes or damages in the original structure. The proposed structure can be realized by isotropic layered materials, using effective medium theory. The special feature of the proposed structure and the device concepts introduced in this work gives it an opportunity to be used as a flexible element in ultrahigh nano-scale integrated circuits for miniaturization and tuning purposes.     

Light passage through a film with subwavelength slits

The effect of anomalously high transmission of an electromagnetic wave through a periodic array of subwavelength slits in a metal film was studied. Results of numerical simulation were compared with theoretical and semi-analytical calculations of anomalous transmission through a silver film. Transmission through a perfectly conductive metal film with subwavelength slits was considered; anomalous transmission through it was detected.     

Effects of interplay between metal subwavelength slits on extraordinary optical transmission

In this paper we study the extraordinary optical transmission of one-dimensional multi-slits in an ideal metal film.The transmissivity is calculated as a function of various structural parameters.The transmissivity oscillates,with the period being just the light wavelength,as a function of the spacing between slits.As the number of slits increases,the transmissivity varies in one of three ways.It can increase,attenuate,or remain basically unchanged,depending on the spacing between slits.Each way is in an oscillatory manner.The slit interaction responsible for the oscillating transmission strength that depends on slit spacing is the subject of more detailed investigation.The interaction most intuitively manifests as a current distribution in the metal surface between slits.We find that this current is attenuated in an oscillating fashion from the slit corners to the center of the region between two adjacent slits,and we present a mathematical expression for its waveform.     

Enhanced nonlinear optical conversion from a periodically nanostructured metal film

We demonstrate an approximately10(4) increase in conversion efficiency for optical second-harmonic generation (SHG) from a periodically nanostructured metal structure consisting of a single subwavelength aperture in a thin silver film surrounded by a set of concentric surface grooves. The forward-transmitted second-harmonic radiation from this structure is measured relative to that from an identical aperture with no surrounding surface periodicity. We explain the observed SHG enhancement quantitatively in terms of a measured 120x increase in the strength of the fundamental radiation in the vicinity of the aperture resulting from the periodic nanostructuring.