Electric Field Enhancement of Nano Gap of Silver Prisms

Using numerical calculation, we examine the effects of gap distance of a pair of nano gap silver prisms with rounded corners on the local light intensity enhancement. Two peaks due to localized surface plasmon （LSP） excitation are observed in a wavelength range from 900nm to 300nm. The results demonstrate that peaks at a longer and a shorter wavelength corresponded to dipole-like and quadrupole-like LSP resonances, respectively. It is found that a gap distance up to 20 nm provides larger light intensity enhancement than that of a single silver nano prism with rounded corners. Furthermore, nano gap silver prisms are fabricated by direct focused ion beam processing, and we measure the scattering light spectrum of a pair of nano prisms by a confocal optical system. However, the two LSP peaks are not observed in visible range because the sizes of the nano gap and prisms are too large.     

A functional probe with bowtie aperture and bull's eye structure for nanolithograph

The bowtie aperture surrounded by concentric gratings(the bull’s eye structure) integrated on the near-field scanning optical microscopy(NSOM) probe(aluminum coated fiber tip) for nanolithography has been investigated using the finite-difference time domain(FDTD) method.By modifying the parameters of the bowtie aperture and the concentric gratings,a maximal field enhancement factor of 391.69 has been achieved,which is 18 times larger than that obtained from the single bowtie aperture.Additionally,the light spot depends on the gap size of the bowtie aperture and can be confined to sub-wavelength.The superiority of the combination of the bowtie aperture and the bull’s eye structure is confirmed,and the mechanism for the electric field enhancement in this derived structure is analyzed.     

Resonant light absorption and plasmon tunability of lateral triangular Au nanoprisms array

Optical characteristics and electric field distribution of triangular Au nanoprism in a unit and units array under polarized light irradiation were systematically studied by numerical simulation with finite difference time domain method. It is found that the plasmonic properties of the triangular nanoprism are dominated by the electric polarization rather than the wave propagation. The triangular nanoprism presents similar optical response with a strong dipole band under different wave propagations if the electric polarization vectors are parallel to the triangular cross section. The lateral triangular Au nanoprisms array possesses a large tunability of the plasmonic properties contributed from the combined influence of inter-particle distance, particles size, polarization angle and even environmental medium. From the plasmon band shift versus the refractive index, ultra-high local surface plasmon resonance sensitivity (509.96 nm/RIU, figure of $\text{merit}=5.55$) is reached at $\sim 850\text{nm}$, making this array promising for biochemical sensing applications.     

The optical characteristics of planar bilayered metallic prisms

A planar bilayered silver prisms with rounded corner is shown to have a singular optical mode depends of gaps by numerical simulation. Such behavior results from the plasmon resonance in the pairs of nanoprisms both the electric and the magnetic components of light.     

Steering the optical response with asymmetric bowtie 2-color controllers in the visible and near infrared range

We have proposed an asymmetric bowtie 2-color controller and analyzed its resonance frequency spectra and temporal responses. The results show improved optical properties of the asymmetric bowtie 2-color controller as compared to symmetric bowties. The improved optical properties are a broad bandwidth of the plasmonic spectrum consisting of two resonant peaks, a high field enhancement in the gap of the bowtie structure, and a large effective enhancement volume. The system might have applications in the generation of XUV light via high-harmonic generation as well as in ultrabroadband sensors and multicolor optoelectronic filters.     

Synthesis of silicon carbide hexagonal nanoprisms

SiC hexagonal nanoprisms have been prepared by a reaction of multiwall carbon nanotubes and Si vapor in an Astro furnace at 1450 °C for 3 h. The polytype, morphology, crystal structure of the nanoprisms were studied by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy, showing their hexagonal nanoprism shapes with a 3C-SiC single crystal structure with a diameter of about 100 nm and 2 μm in length. The photoluminescence spectrum of the nanoprisms exhibits a significant blue-shift relative to bulk 3C-SiC and other nanostructured SiC. The possible growth mechanism that controls the nanostructure formation is also analysed. PACS 42.70.Nq; 68.37.-d; 78.55.-m; 78.67.Bf; 81.07.Vb     

Optical nanolithography with λ/15 resolution using bowtie aperture array

We report optical parallel nanolithography using bowtie apertures with the help of the interferometric-spatial-phase-imaging (ISPI) technique. The ISPI system can detect and control the distance between the bowtie aperture, and photoresist with a resolution of sub-nanometer level. It overcomes the difficulties brought by the light divergence of bowtie apertures. Parallel nanolithography with feature size of 22 ± 5 nm is achieved. This technique combines high resolution, parallel throughput, and low cost, which is promising for practical applications.     

Design of a sector bowtie nano-rectenna for optical power and infrared detection

We designed a sector bowtie nanoantenna integrated with a rectifier (Au−TiO_x−Ti diode) for collecting infrared energy. The optical performance of the metallic bowtie nanoantenna was numerically investigated at infrared frequencies (5−30 μm) using three-dimensional frequency-domain electromagnetic field calculation software based on the finite element method. The simulation results indicate that the resonance wavelength and local field enhancement are greatly affected by the shape and size of the bowtie nanoantenna, as well as the relative permittivity and conductivity of the dielectric layer. The output current of the rectified nano-rectenna is substantially at nanoampere magnitude with an electric field intensity of 1 V/m. Moreover, the power conversion efficiency for devices with three different substrates illustrates that a substrate with a larger refractive index yields a higher efficiency and longer infrared response wavelength. Consequently, the optimized structure can provide theoretical support for the design of novel optical rectennas and fabrication of optoelectronic devices.     

Synthesis of the vertically aligned carbon hexagonal nanoprism arrays and their application for field emission

A simple approach is demonstrated for effectively growing large-area vertically aligned carbon hexagonal nanoprism arrays on molybdenum substrates by the catalyst-assisted pulsed laser deposition techniques. The carbon hexagonal nanoprisms have uniform shape and length, almost aligned vertically on the substrate, and the average diameters are about 30 nm. The internal angles of the nanoprisms present 60°. The vertically aligned nanorods have also been obtained for a comparison in the presence of catalyst Fe. The sample with vertically aligned carbon hexagonal nanoprism arrays exhibits better field emission behaviors than that with aligned carbon nanorod arrays.     

Design of plasmonic bowtie nanoring array with high sensitivity and reproducibility for surface‐enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy

A metallic bowtie nanoring array is designed to gain high sensitive and reproducible substrate for surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy. The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), the electric field enhancement factors (EFs) and the electric field distribution of the bowtie and bowtie nanoring array are numerically investigated by means of the finite‐difference time domain (FDTD) method. After the optimization of the particle size and the array period, the maximum electromagnetic field EF approaches 153, and the corresponding SERS electromagnetic enhancement factor (EMEF) reaches 5.4 × 10⁸. This highly sensitive and reproducible substrate can be a good candidate for SERS applications. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Plasmonic effects in near-field optical transmission enhancement through a single bowtie-shaped aperture

In this paper, the enhanced optical transmission through a special type of aperture of a bowtie shape is investigated through near-field imaging and finite-difference numerical analysis. Under linear polarizations in two orthogonal directions, the optical near fields of the bowtie aperture and comparable square and rectangular apertures made in gold and chromium thin films are measured and compared. The bowtie aperture is able to provide a nanometer-sized optical spot when the incident light is polarized across the bowtie gap and delivers a considerable amount of light. Localized surface plasmons are clearly observed in the near-field images for both bowtie and rectangular apertures in gold, but invisible in chromium. Finite-difference time-domain calculations reveal that, depending on the polarization of the incident light, the unique optical properties of the bowtie aperture are a result of either the optical waveguide and the coupled surface plasmon polariton modes existing in the bowtie gap or the coupling between the two open arms of the bowtie aperture. PACS 81.07.-b; 07.79.Fc; 71.36.+c; 78.66.Bz; 42.79.Gn; 42.79.Vb     

Complementary bowtie aperture for localizing and enhancing optical magnetic field

Nanoscale bowtie antenna and bowtie aperture antenna have been shown to generate strongly enhanced and localized electric fields below the diffraction limit in the optical frequency range. According to Babinet's principle, their complements will be efficient for concentrating and enhancing magnetic fields. In this Letter, we discuss the enhancement of magnetic field intensity of nanoscale complementary bowtie aperture as well as complementary bowtie aperture antenna, or diabolo nanoantenna. We show that the complementary bowtie antenna resonates at a smaller wavelength and thus is more suitable for applications near visible wavelengths. The near-field magnetic intensity can be further enhanced by the addition of groove structures that scatter surface plasmon.     

Optimizing bowtie structure parameters for specific incident light

We investigate optical properties of a bowtie-shaped aperture using the finite difference time domain method to optimize its geometric parameters for specific incident lights.The influence of the parameters on local field enhancement and resonant wavelength in the visible frequency range is numerically analysed.It is found that the major resonance of the spectrum is exponentially depended on the bowtie angle but independent of the whole aperture size.The simulation also demonstrates that increasing the aperture size raises the local field intensity on the exit plane due to an enlarged interaction area between the light and the metal medium.And the near-field spot size is closely related to the gap.Based on these results,the design rules of the bowtie structure can be optimized for specific wavelengths excited.     

Investigation of plasmonics resonance infrared bowtie metal antenna

An approximate resonance wavelength equation that varies with metal antenna structure size is developed to design a bowtie gold metal antenna working at near-infrared (IR) wavelength. Bowtie antenna structures with resonance wavelength of 1.06 μm, 1.55 μm and 10.6 μm are designed based on this equation. A finite-difference time domain (FDTD) algorithm with total field scattered field (TFSF) source simulation shows the resonance wavelength of the designed structures being precisely in agreement with the expected wavelengths from the equation. Planar integration of the metal bowtie antennas is discussed as well. Gold nanohole bowtie antenna arrays are fabricated and the near-field optical transmission properties of the nanohole array are investigated with a near-field scanning optical microscope (NSOM). Our experimental results verify the near-field optical transmission performance and further demonstrate that they are in agreement with the theoretical calculation results. The high enhancement efficiency and integration of the metal bowtie antennas open the possibility of a wide application in IR optoelectronics detection and imaging.     

Field enhancement by semi-nanocapsule plasmonic antenna at the visible violet wavelength

We investigate, at the visible violet wavelength of 400 nm, the localized field-enhancement properties of an optical antenna consisting of two coupled metallic nanoparticles placed on the silica substrate. Compared to other shapes of optical antennas such as bowtie and coupled elliptical rods, the coupled semi-nanocapsules exhibit a stronger field-intensity enhancement in the gap and relatively weak field intensity at the outer-ends. Furthermore, the intensity enhancement of the semi-nanocapsules antenna can be further enhanced by choosing the suitable direction of illumination. These proposed structures can be used for the design and the applications of an optical antenna at the visible violet wavelength.     

Wideband optical absorber based on plasmonic metamaterial cross structure

The optical absorber with Fano response is valuable for various applications such as solar cells or optical sensors. In this paper, we have modeled an optical plasmonic metamaterial absorber which contains a broken cross as an elementary cell along with four rectangular loads to improve the absorbance and achieve a Fano response within a wide bandwidth at 190–245 THz (25%). The bandwidth of the proposed structure is more than conventional metamaterial absorbers. The prototype absorber has a remarkable enhancement in the electric field in comparison with the simple cross model and the reflection value has reduced to ??47 dB. The parametric studies show how the gap capacitance controls the bandwidth, resonance frequency and the reflection value of the absorber, therefore we can consider this technique as a way to enhance the metamaterial absorber’s bandwidth. The proposed structure can be used as an optical refractive index sensor while the Fano line-shape provides a higher figure of merit (FOM) compared with many others. For this structure, the FOM has obtained as 10,660. The Finite Integration Technique with Perfect Boundary Approximation used for the simulation.     

金属纳米球-纳米圆盘结构中表面等离激元共振模式的电磁场增强研究

表面等离激元自诞生以来已有一百多年的历史,并逐渐形成了一门新的学科——表面等离激元光子学.位于金属纳米结构中的局域表面等离激元可产生非常显著的近表面电场增强,并成功应用于诸多研究领域当中,而对局域表面等离激元与外界入射光中磁场的相互作用的研究则相对较少.该研究在前期已有的研究基础之上模拟计算了金属纳米球-纳米圆盘结构间...     

Dual band enhanced transmission through a subwavelength aperture based on two split-ring-resonators

Enhanced transmission through a subwavelength aperture is observed at two frequency bands with employment of two split-ring-resonators (SRR) of different sizes. Each of the SRR is excited to produce resonance and the electric field energy localized in its gap and split region can be coupled into a small hole with a radius of 2.3 mm around the respective resonance frequency. The simulation results show that the energy through the small hole is increased at 5.94 GHz (r/λ ₁=0.045) and 7.03 GHz (r/λ ₂=0.054), where 1042-fold and 88-fold enhancements are obtained, respectively, in comparison with the case of a single isolated hole. Moreover, it is found that placing two identical SRR structures in front of the hole can realize higher enhanced transmission with respect to the case of only one SRR utilized. The electric field coupling-enhancement mechanism is well described by studying the electric field distribution.     

等离子体诊断用Schwarzschild显微镜的光学设计

 基于三级像差理论设计了用于激光等离子体诊断的极紫外Schwarzschild显微镜光学系统。显微镜的工作波长为18.2 nm,数值孔径为0.1,放大倍数为10。光学设计得到中心视场空间分辨力达0.3 μm,±1 mm视场内分辨力约0.4 μm的结果。分析了Schwarzschild成像系统的物镜装配、系统装调及光学元件加工误差对像质的影响,结果显示光学元件局部面形误差是影响系统成像分辨力的主要因素。通过提高系统装调的精度,可以有效补偿像距误差、两镜间距误差及曲率半径误差对像质的影响。综合考虑实际加工和装调能力,制定了系统整体公差方案,考虑公差后光学系统能够在±1 mm视场内获得3 μm的空间分辨力,达到了等离子体诊断的要求。     

Purcell effect in triangular plasmonic nanopatch antennas with three-layer colloidal quantum dots

A model describing a plasmonic nanopatch antenna based on triangular silver nanoprisms and multilayer cadmium chalcogenide quantum dots is introduced. Electromagnetic-field distributions in nanopatch antennas with different orientations of the quantum-dot dipoles are calculated for the first time with the finite element method for numerical electrodynamics simulations. The energy flux through the surface of an emitting quantum dot is calculated for the configurations with the dot in free space, on an aluminum substrate, and in a nanopatch antenna. It is shown that the radiative part of the Purcell factor is as large as 1.7 × 10₂ The calculated photoluminescence lifetimes of a CdSe/CdS/ZnS colloidal quantum dot in a nanopatch antenna based on a silver nanoprism agree well with the experimental results.