Funneling light through a subwavelength aperture with epsilon-near-zero materials

We present a comprehensive study of enhanced light funneling through a subwavelength aperture with realistic (lossy) epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) materials. We realize experimentally an inclusion-free ENZ material layer operating at optical frequencies and characterize its performance. An analytical expression describing light funneling through several structures involving ENZ coupling layers is developed, validated with numerical solutions of Maxwell equations, and utilized to relate the performance of the ENZ coupling systems to their main limiting factor, material losses.     

Epsilon-near-zero metamaterials for tailoring ultrashort pulses

Interaction between epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) metamaterials and optical pulses is investigated theoretically. A transform between total transmission and total reflection is revealed for the ultrashort pulses incident onto an ENZ slab, which can be controlled by changing the thickness of the slab. Furthermore, the resonance of the ENZ materials leads to a cutoff frequency in spectroscopic response, where longer wavelengths have no chance to propagate through the ENZ materials and are totally reflected. These characteristics enable the ENZ materials to be applied in ultrashort pulse shapers, cutoff filters, and Fabry–Pérot resonators.     

Tunneling of electromagnetic energy through subwavelength channels and bends using epsilon-near-zero materials

In this Letter, we demonstrate theoretically that electromagnetic waves can be "squeezed" and tunneled through very narrow channels filled with epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) materials. We show that the incoming planar wave front is replicated at the output interface, independently of the specific geometry of the channel. A closed analytical formula is derived for the scattering parameters of a particular class of geometries. It is discussed that in some cases the isotropy of the ENZ material may not be an issue. A metamaterial realization of an anisotropic ENZ material is suggested and numerically studied.     

Experimental demonstration of electromagnetic tunneling through an epsilon-near-zero metamaterial at microwave frequencies

Silveirinha and Engheta have recently proposed that electromagnetic waves can tunnel through a material with an electric permittivity (epsilon) near zero (ENZ). An ENZ material of arbitrary geometry can thus serve as a perfect coupler between incoming and outgoing waveguides with identical cross-sectional area, so long as one dimension of the ENZ is electrically small. In this Letter we present an experimental demonstration of microwave tunneling between two planar waveguides separated by a thin ENZ channel. The ENZ channel consists of a planar waveguide in which complementary split ring resonators are patterned on the lower surface. A tunneling passband is found in transmission measurements, while a two-dimensional spatial map of the electric field distribution reveals a uniform phase variation across the channel--both measurements in agreement with theory and numerical simulations.     

近零介电常数材料用于天线口面加载研究

近零介电常数材料常用于口面加载以修正天线波前相位,提高口径效率。在对以往金属线阵周期结构研究基础上,提出了介质镀膜板周期结构的近零介电常数材料,并基于NRW本构参数法计算得到了该材料的等效介电常数,依据口面相位差平方和最小原则研制了中空形式的介质镀膜中空板加载结构。实验结果表明,X波段角锥天线加载后其主轴增益最大提高了1.8 dB,口径效率从原有0.4提高至0.6以上,相对工作带宽大于10%。     

Zernike-basis expansion of the fractional and radial Hilbert phase masks

The linear Hilbert phase mask or transform has found applications in image processing and spectroscopy. An optical version of the fractional Hilbert mask is considered here, comprising an imaging system with a circular, unobscured pupil in which a variable phase delay is introduced into one half of the pupil, split bilaterally.The radial Hilbert phase mask is also used in image processing and to produce optical vortices which have applications in optical tweezers and the detection of exoplanets.We subjected the fractional and radial Hilbert phase masks to Zernike function expansion in order to compute the image plane electromagnetic field distribution using Nijboer-Zernike theory. The Zernike functions form an orthogonal basis on the unit circle. The complex-valued Zernike expansion coefficients for these two phase masks were derived for use in the context of the Extended Nijboer-Zernike (ENZ) theory of image formation. The ENZ approach is of interest in that it allows a greater range of defocus to be dealt with, provides a simple means of taking a finite source size into account and has been adapted to high Numerical Aperture (NA) imaging applications.Our image plane results for the fractional Hilbert mask were verified against a numerical model implemented in the commercial optical design and analysis code, Zemax^®. It was found that the Nijboer-Zernike result converged to the Zemax^® result from below as the number of Zernike terms in the expansion was increased.     

填充ENZ材料的太赫兹高双折射及近零平坦色散微结构光纤北大核心CSCD

为了实现太赫兹波的保偏波导传输,设计了一种含有纤芯缺陷孔和椭圆形包层空气孔的高双折射微结构光纤。通过在包层空气孔中选择性地填充太赫兹近零介电常量(epsilon-nearzero,ENZ)材料,引入了几何结构和材料分布的双重不对称性,破坏了2个偏振基模的简并以获得高双折射特性。应用有限元方法研究了光纤的双折射、损耗和色散等传输特性随结构参数的变化规律。在0.5 THz~2 THz的宽频段范围内获得了大于0.01的高双折射。x和y偏振基模的损耗在0.8 THz附近具有最小值,分别为0.903 dB·cm^(-1)和0.851 dB·cm^(-1)。纤芯缺陷孔可以有效调节色散特性,y偏振基模在1 THz~1.8 THz范围内具有(0±0.054)ps·THz^(-1)·cm^(-1)近零平坦色散特性。光纤的传输特性对ENZ材料的折射率变化不敏感。研究结论为研制太赫兹保偏光纤提供了理论参考。     

Levitation of finite‐size electric dipole over epsilon‐near‐zero metamaterial

Following the suggestion of Rodriguez‐Fortuno et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 112 , 033902 (2014)], we study the repulsive force acting on a electric dipole placed over a surface of epsilon‐near‐zero (ENZ) metamaterial. The dependence of the repulsive force value on the dipole size has been studied. We show that the effect of finite size drastically affects the values of the repulsive force as compared to the point‐dipole case. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A plasma frequency modulation model for constructing structure material with arbitrary cross-section thin metallic wires

Considering the fact that just the electrons confined in the region of the skin depth will actually affect the plasma frequency due to the skin effect, a model for constructing epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) metamaterials through the arranged thin metallic wires with arbitrary cross-section is developed, utilizing the perimeter approximation. With our model, plasma frequency can be freely modulated just by the variance of the metallic wire perimeter, irrespective of the cross-section shape of wires. The finite element method (FEM) and S-parameters retrieval method were employed to numerically simulate the plasma frequencies, which have verified the validity of the theoretical model.     

Statistical measurements of irradiance fluctuations produced by a reflective membrane optical scintillator—II Application to an incoherent broadband source

Atmospheric scintillation of an incoherent broadband source has been physically simulated in the laboratory using a reflective membrane optical scintillator (RMOS). The RMOS has been shown previously to be effective with a HeNe laser source. The results with the broadband source are analysed with standard models used to represent scintillation statistics and it is shown that scintillation behaviour can be produced with the RMOS device and an incoherent broadband, divergent source.     

Possible implementation of epsilon-near-zero metamaterials working at optical frequencies

Metamaterials (MTMs) exhibiting a near-zero real part of the permittivity function in a given frequency range have been demonstrated to be useful in several application fields, including field localization and focusing. So far, however, the realistic implementations of such materials working at optical frequencies and exhibiting a reasonable level of losses are rare. In this work, we propose a possible implementation of optical epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) MTMs based on the employment of an array of core-shell nano-spheres embedded in a dielectric medium. The core of the nano-spheres and the host medium are both made of silica, while the shell is formed by a plasmonic material (i.e. silver). Using classical homogenization formulas, we show that it is possible to design the array in such a way to exhibit near-zero values of the effective real permittivity with relatively low losses at optical frequencies. These results are supported and confirmed by proper full-wave simulations and design examples.     

Kinetic Equation for the Density Matrix of Atoms in the Field of a Broadband One-Photon Packet Taking into Account the Non-Wiener Dynamics

We have derived the quantum master kinetic equation for the density matrix of an atomic system in the field of a narrow-beam one-photon broadband packet in the conditions when the latter plays the role of a thermostat. This equation takes into account the Stark interaction of atoms with the broadband field of surroundings of the system, which are in the state with zero photon number density, as well as the interaction of broadband fields at the atomic system.     

Optimizing delays in the MBOB,broadband HMBC,and broadband XLOC NMR pulse sequences

The MBOB, broadband HMBC, and broadband XLOC NMR pulse sequences (A. Meissner and O. W. S?rensen (2000, Magn. Reson. Chem. 38, 981-984; 2001, 39, 49-52)) were introduced as a means of obtaining heteronuclear long-range correlation spectra with broadband excitation over an interval of heteronuclear long-range J coupling constants. However, it is not trivial what combination of delays to choose for a given purpose, particularly if one-bond and long-range correlation spectra are obtained simultaneously as in MBOB. This paper presents a way to determine sets of delays for MBOB, broadband HMBC, and broadband XLOC resolving the problem. The results tabulated suit various ranges of J coupling constants and transverse relaxation times.     

Broadband noncollinear optical parametric amplification without angularly dispersed idler

We report a new scheme for direct generation of broadband angular-dispersion-free mid-IR idler pulses via noncollinear optical parametric amplification when group-velocity matched wavelengths cannot be found and the traditional noncollinear geometry fails to increase the phase-matching bandwidth. The scheme does not require any post-amplification idler angular dispersion compensation. We derive and interpret the condition for broadband amplification and absence of idler angular dispersion. A broadband angular-dispersion-free 2.15 μm idler pulse is generated as an experimental demonstration. We identify the potential of the scheme to generate a broadband 3.5 μm idler, with a bandwidth supporting a sub-two-cycle pulse.     

Broadband Light-Emitting Diodes with One-Dimensional Photonic Crystal Layer

In this article, a broadband gallium-nitride-based light-emitting diode with a one-dimensional photonic crystal layer is investigated. The broadband light-emitting diode using the proposed backside reflector has high reflectance (>95%) over a 270-nm bandwidth in visible light at an arbitrary incidence angle. A broadband light-emitting diode of high output power due to the high reflectivity is achieved. Also reported are the results for light-emitting diodes by the transistor outline can (TO-can) package. The proposed light-emitting diodes possess broadband high reflected spectra, high output power for light extraction, and a good view angle.     

Continuous-wave broadband emitter based on a transition-metal-ion-doped waveguide

We demonstrate the suitability of a simple continuous-wave-pumped transition-metal-ion-doped waveguide as a broadband light source in the wavelength region 600-1000 nm for interferometric applications. Spatially coherent (single mode in the confined direction), spectrally broadband (~130-nm FWHM) luminescence with output powers of several hundreds of microwatts is obtained from a Ti:sapphire planar waveguide with incident pump powers from an Ar-ion laser of up to 1 W. This result represents an increase in power by several orders of magnitude from previously reported simple broadband light sources in this wavelength range.     

Laser direct patterning induced the tunable optical properties of indium tin oxide micro-hole arrays films

Here we introduce a facile method to fabricate patterned indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films via selective laser ablation at ambient conditions. By scanning the ITO thin films with focused Nd: YAG pulsed laser, the ITO thin films were selective ablated and patterned without using any conventional chemical etching or photolithography steps. Then we investigated the effects of scanning rate for the structure, morphology and optical properties of patterned ITO thin film. These results indicate that the epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) wavelength of ITO thin films can be tuned from 1100 nm to 1340 nm by adjusting the period of the micro-hole array in microstructure. The nonlinear absorption response of patterned ITO films was about 2.85 time than of the as-deposited ITO thin film. Additionally, the results of the Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) simulation are in good agreement with those of the experiments.     

Photonic spin Hall effect and terahertz gas sensor via InSb-supported long-range surface plasmon resonance

We propose a simple one-dimensional grating coupling system that can excite multiple surface plasmon resonances for refractive index(RI)sensing with self-reference characteristics in the near-infrared band.Using theoretical analysis and the finite-difference time-domain method,the plasmonic mechanism of the structure is discussed in detail.The results show that the excited resonances are independent of each other and have different fields of action.The mode involving extensive interaction with the analyte environment achieves a high sensitivity of 1236 nm/RIU,and the figure of merit(FOM)can reach 145 RIU-1.Importantly,the mode that is insensitive to the analyte environment exhibits good self-reference characteristics.Moreover,we discuss the case of exchanging the substrate material with the analyte environment.Promising simulation results show that this RI sensor can be widely deployed in unstable and complicated environments.     

Incoherent broadband optical pulse generation using an optical gate

In two-dimensional (2D) time-spreading/wavelength-hopping optical code division multiple access (OCDMA) systems, employing less coherent broadband optical pulse sources allows lower electrical operating rate and better system performance. An optical gate based scheme for generating weakly coherent(approximately incoherent) broadband optical pulses was proposed and experimentally demonstrated. Inthis scheme, the terahertz optical asymmetric demultiplexer, together with a coherent narrowband controlpulse source, turns an incoherent broadband continuous-wave (CW) light source into the required pulse source.     

高场核磁共振波谱仪宽带前置放大器的研制

宽带前置放大器是磁共振仪器的重要部件,其性能决定了整个仪器X核通道的检测灵敏度. 根据射频电路理论以及磁共振波谱仪整体性能指标的要求,设计并实现了可应用于高场核磁共振波谱仪的高性能宽带前置放大器. 实测结果表明,所研制的核磁共振波谱仪宽带前置放大器在15 MHz~300 MHz频率范围内,其工作性能达到：带内增益>38 dB,带内平坦度<1.5 dB,噪声系数基本保持在1.2 dB以下,射频开关切换时间<1.5 μs,具有带内增益平坦度高,噪声系数小,发射状态下放大器前端保护电路隔离度高,以及工作状态检测电路准确、简洁的特点. 同时高场核磁共振碳和磷等杂核实验显示,利用所研制的宽带前置放大器可检测到具有较高信噪比的NMR信号.