Transmission enhancement by conversion of evanescent waves into propagating waves

The convolution between spatial modes of two different parts of an optical system can convert evanescent waves into propagating waves. This principle is applied to different optical systems for analyzing various effects in transmission enhancements experiments. We discuss here the differences between the present principle which is related to broadening of resonances and the near-field optical microscopy based on a tunneling effect by a tip detector. The present analysis is applied in particular to two systems: a) transmission enhancement in one slit by coupling the transmitted radiation with transversal Fabry–Pérot electromagnetic (EM) modes, and b) transmission enhancement by coupling between a metallic film with arrays of holes and surface plasmons (SP). The present approach gives more information on transmission enhancement phenomena than that obtained by conventional treatments and can also solve certain disagreements between different theories. The differences between the present process of converting evanescent waves into propagating waves, and that related to the new development of getting a super-resolution by an hyperlens are discussed. PACS 41.20.Jb; 73.20.Mf; 42.79.Dj     

Experimental study of transmission enhancement of evanescent waves through silver films assisted by surface plasmon excitation

In this paper, we investigated an essential precursor of superlensing: enhancing the transmission of evanescent waves assisted by excitation of surface plasmon. Using natural roughness as a well characterized grating, the transmission of evanescent waves is studied through silver thin films of increasing thickness. Measurements and calculations are performed in the wavelength range of 514.5 nm to 351.1 nm where the real part of the permittivity of silver is negative. Pronounced peaks due to surface-plasmon excitations are observed in the transmission spectra. We found the transmission of evanescent waves rapidly grows with the film thickness up to about 50 nm, after which it decays as loss becomes significant. As the permittivity of a silver slab approaches -1, we experimentally observed a broadening of surface plasmon bandwidth. Our study indicates a pathway to access the deep subwavelength features by metamaterial superlens. PACS 42.79-e; 42.30.Wb; 78.20.Ci; 78.66.Bz     

Transmission mode of one-dimensional phononic crystal based on coupling of total evanescent waves

In order to obtain the transmission properties of one-dimensional phononic crystal under total evanescent waves, we design structure model. Basing on the basic acoustic wave equations and boundary condition as well as the Bloch theory, we study the band structure of one-dimensional phononic crystal. We summarize the properties of the mode based on the coupling of total evanescent waves and explain its physical mechanism. There are three transmission modes in phononic crystal. Based on the coupling of total evanescent waves, the number of perfect transmission peaks is just equal to the number of structure period, and the thickness of period can be much less than the wave length.     

Fresnel coefficients for a layer of NIM

Reflection and transmission of traveling and evanescent waves by a layer of material with a negative index of refraction (NIM) is studied by means of the Fresnel coefficients. We derive their values in the “NIM limit”, and we show that this limit is consistent with the exact solution. It is also indicated that simply substituting the negative values of the relative permittivity and permeability of the NIM material into the exact solution leads to incorrect results for evanescent waves.     

Superresolution via enhanced evanescent tunneling

We here propose the concept of enhanced evanescent tunneling (EET). Our analysis indicates that by means of a suitable control field, the transmission of evanescent waves across a forbidden gap can be enhanced by several orders of magnitude-well beyond the ordinary frustrated total internal reflection case. We show how such a phenomenon can be used to probe both the amplitude and phase of the evanescent portion of the angular spectrum, thereby allowing target superresolution. In principle EET can be manifested in other areas of physics where wave tunneling is involved.     

Spatial separation of the traveling and evanescent parts of dipole radiation

Electric dipole radiation consists of traveling and evanescent plane waves. When radiation is detected in the far field, only the traveling waves will contribute to the intensity distribution, as the evanescent waves decay exponentially. We propose a method to spatially separate the traveling and evanescent waves before detection. It is shown that when the radiation passes through an interface, evanescent waves can be converted into traveling waves and can subsequently be observed in the far field. Let the radiation be observed under angle theta(t) with the normal. Then there exists an angle theta(ac) such that for 0 < or = theta(t) < theta(ac) all intensity originates in traveling waves, whereas for theta(ac) < theta(t) < pi/2 only evanescent waves contribute. It is shown that with this technique and under the appropriate conditions almost all far-field power can be provided by evanescent waves.     

Plasmon mechanism of light transmission through a metal film or a plasma layer

It is shown that a smooth metal film (or a plasma layer) can be made transparent for an electromagnetic wave when two identical subwavelength diffraction gratings are placed on both sides of the film. The electromagnetic wave transmission through the metal film is caused by excitation of evanescent surface waves (plasmons) and their transformation into propagating waves at the gratings. A model which is developed analytically shows that the problem of the wave transmission is physically equivalent to the problem of excitation of two coupled resonators of evanescent waves which are formed at the two film surfaces.     

Direction and frequency filter basing on an ultra-compact structure consisting of dielectric films

The transmission properties of a two-period structure consisting of dielectric layers and air layers are studied by numeric methods. On the condition of total reflection from dielectric to air layer, the coupling of the evanescent waves in air layers and propagation waves in dielectric layers forms some special transmission bands. Given proper structure parameters, one incident direction only allows one transmission frequency; on the other hand, one transmission frequency only allows one incident direction. This structure can simultaneously achieve frequency filtering and direction filtering.     

Tunneling of evanescent waves into propagating waves

The tunneling of evanescent waves into propagating waves is related to the convolution of the high spatial frequencies of the source with those of the detectors. Such an approach is demonstrated by treating the evanescent waves which are diffracted from very narrow apertures in a plane screen (with dimensions much smaller than the wavelength) and are converted to propagating waves by tip detectors. The mechanism responsible for the conversion of evanescent waves into propagating waves is explained and a general formula for the conversion of evanescent waves into propagating waves is derived. PACS 42.25.Fx; 42.30.Kq; 42.25.Bs     

Influence of Quantum Effects on the Magnetic Field Behavior in Overdense Plasma

We study the conditions for the anomalous transmission of electromagnetic waves through quantum overdense plasma. We show that this anomalous transmission is triggered due to the excitation of surface waves, as was observed in the classical overdense plasma. The conditions for the excitation of surface waves are obtained by studying the dispersion relation within the framework of quantum hydrodynamics. The corresponding consequences at the classical limits are consistent with the previous studies. In comparison with the classical regimes, the quantum dispersion curve exhibits an asymptotic behavior which indicates significant effects, in particular, at large wavelengths. Herein, to create the required evanescent waves, we consider the quantum plasma to be placed between two ordinary prisms and dielectrics. The effects of the main parameters, such as the permittivity of the prisms and dielectrics and the Fermi velocity, on the rate of the transmission and the magnetic field propagation are also evaluated.     

Global transmission diagrams for evanescent waves in a nonlinear hyperbolic metamaterial

A theoretical model of a nonlinear hyperbolic metamaterial is presented in the form of a stack of subwavelength layers of linear plasmonic and nonlinear dielectric materials. A broad picture of the properties of evanescent waves(high-k modes) in this stack is investigated by plotting global transmission diagrams. The presence of nonlinearity strongly modifies these diagrams. The emergence and modification of nonlinear evanescent waves is observed. Some signatures of nonlinear phenomenon such as formation of orbits and trajectories around fixed points are also seen in our work.     

Focusing of evanescent vector waves

We study focusing of two and three-dimensional evanescent vector waves, with a particular emphasis on identifying suitable intensity structures for applications in optical data storage. For two-dimensional evanescent waves large transverse spatial wave vectors result in purely circularly polarized evanescent states. We suggest that these may have applications in all-optical data storage through the inverse Faraday effect. On the other hand, for three-dimensional evanescent waves longitudinally polarized modes are observed to give the most tightly focused spot, and this may be utilized to confine light behind a solid immersion lens.     

Simple and high efficient optical trapping using a cylindrical lens and a single plane wave of incidence

We suggest a simple and high efficient method for trapping particles in the evanescent field. In this method, a single plane wave is normally incident on the cylindrical surface of a cylindrical lens and then incident on the plane surface of the lens at an angle larger than the critical angle. Multiple reflections of light within the cylindrical lens create two evanescent waves with different directions in the transmitted field. Interference of two evanescent waves comes into being a standing wave which can stably trap particles close to the top of the cylindrical lens. Based on the Rayleigh approximation, we obtain analytical expressions of optical force acting on a Rayleigh particle placed in the vicinity of the lens. We find that the trap stiffness and trap depth is dependent on the radius of the cylindrical lens, wavelength and polarization of light, and incident angle at the lens–liquid interface.     

Effects of Evanescent Space-Harmonics on the Transmission Characteristics of a Gaussian Beam by Cylindrical Wire Grids

When electromagnetic waves propagate through a wire grid, there will be some evanescent space harmonics generated around the wire grid. In this paper, we mainly investigate their effects on the transmission characteristics of a Gaussian beam by cylindrical wire grids. The results are compared with those without taking account of evanescent space-harmonics.     

Tunable electronic transmission gaps in a graphene superlattice

The transmission in graphene superlattices with adjustable barrier height is investigated using transfer-matrix method. It is found that one could control the angular range of transmission by changing the ratio of incidence energy and barrier height. The transmission as a function of incidence energy has more than one gaps, due to the appearance of evanescent waves in different barriers. Accordingly, more than one conductivity minimums are induced. The transmission gaps could be controlled by adjusting the incidence angle, the barrier height, and the barrier number, which gives the possibility to construct an energy-dependent wavevector filter.     

含负折射率介质的多层结构中倏逝波传播及隧道效应的分析

研究了倏逝波在含负折射率介质的多层平板结构中的传播特性，解析地分析了倏逝波在不同结构参数下的放大或衰减规律及其原因以及能流的分布，并着重讨论了负折射率介质的损耗对隧道效应的影响，最后通过模拟高斯光束在该结构中的传播和能量储存，形象地给出了负折射率介质的损耗对倏逝波的影响和对光子隧道效应的减弱. 关键词： 负折射率介质 倏逝波 隧道效应     

Left-handed materials do not make a perfect lens

By means of an analysis on evanescent waves in left-handed materials (LHM), we show that within a slab of such a medium, sandwiched between two positive refraction media, there is amplification of evanescent waves in ideal lossless, dispersiveless media; however, contrary to previous claims, this is limited to a finite width of the slab so that it prevents their restoration and perfect focusing. We illustrate this by considering their coupling to propagating waves through a tunnel barrier containing a slab of LHM. Further, we show that the effect of absorption, necessarily present in such materials, may drastically change any evanescent amplifying wave into a decaying one.     

Near-field light localization using subwavelength apertures incorporated with metamaterials

We report strong near-field electromagnetic localization by using subwavelength apertures and metamaterials that operate at microwave frequencies. We designed split ring resonators with distinct configurations in order to obtain extraordinary transmission results. Furthermore, we analyzed the field localization and focusing characteristics of the transmitted evanescent waves. The employed metamaterial configurations yielded an improvement on the transmission efficiency on the order of 27 dB and 50 dB for the deep subwavelength apertures. The metamaterial loaded apertures are considered as a total system that offered spot size conversion ratios as high as 7.12 and 9.11 for the corresponding metamaterial configurations. The proposed system is shown to intensify the electric fields of the source located in the near-field. It also narrows down the electromagnetic waves such that a full width at half maximum value of λ/29 is obtained.     

Superluminal Behaviour of Modified Bessel Waves

Much experimental evidence of superluminal phenomena has been available by electromagnetic wave propagation experiments, with the results showing that the phase time describes the barrier traversal time. Based on the extrapolated phase time approach and numerical methods, we show that, in contrast to the ordinary Bessel waves of real argument, the group velocities of modified Bessel waves are superluminal. We obtain the following results. The group velocities increase with the increase of propagation distance, which is similar to the evanescent plane- wave cases. For large wave numbers, the group velocities fall off as the wave numbers increase, which is similar to the evanescent plane-wave cases. For small wave numbers, the group velocities increase with the increase of wave numbers, this is different from the evanescent plane-wave cases.