Gain-assisted indented plasmonic waveguide for low-threshold nanolaser applications

A subwavelength plasmonic indented waveguide with an active InGaAsP core is proposed.The characteristics of the gap plasmon mode and gain required for lossless propagation are investigated and analyzed by the finite element method.We numerically calculate the normalized mode areas and percentages of energy confined in InGaAsP and metal for plasmonic nanolaser applications.It is shown that the indentation of the sidewalls has an optimal value for which the lasing threshold gain is minimal.The structure could enable low-threshold subwavelength lasing and applications for optoelectronic integrated circuits.     

Multi-channel plasmonic waveguide filters with disk-shaped nanocavities

A kind of multi-channel plasmonic filters based on metal–insulator–metal waveguides with disk-shaped nanocavities is proposed and numerically investigated. By calculating the resonant mode of disk-shaped nanocavity, it is found that the radius and refractive index of the nanocavity effectively control the resonance wavelength, which is consistent with the results obtained by finite-difference time-domain method. The characteristics of resonance spectra are influenced by the gap width between the cavity and waveguide, as can be exactly analyzed by temporal coupled mode theory. In addition, multi-channel plasmonic filters are achieved by increasing the number of nanocavity.     

On the symmetry and topology of plasmonic eigenmodes in heptamer and hexamer nanocavities

Plasmonics is expected to play a key role in nanotechnology, leading to intriguing routes in many engineering and biological applications. Recently, it has been realized that toroidal resonances could be an alternative to electric and magnetic resonances, which have governed the innovation of plasmonic applications so far. In a previous contribution, we proved the existence of toroidal moments in an oligomeric void-plasmonic structure [1]. In this article, we investigate the role of topology and symmetry in decomposing the various dipolar, quadrupolar, and toroidal moments, using energy-filtering transmission electron microscopy supported by three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain method simulations. The consequences of changing the topology on the toroidal character are discussed by comparing results obtained from nanoholes forming heptamer and hexamer nanocavity systems that were drilled into a thin silver film.     

Near-field optical polarimetry of plasmonic nanowires

Local polarization properties of a gold subwavelength grating with plasmon-induced linear dichroism are studied by scanning near-field optical dynamic polarimetry. Periodic modulation of linear dichroism with the period corresponding to the period of the grating and the contrast of 0.3 is found at the distance of λ/20 from the sample.     

Nanofocusing of optical energy in tapered plasmonic waveguides

We predict theoretically that surface plasmon polaritons propagating toward the tip of a tapered plasmonic waveguide are slowed down and asymptotically stopped when they tend to the tip, never actually reaching it (the travel time to the tip is logarithmically divergent). This phenomenon causes accumulation of energy and giant local fields at the tip. There are various prospective applications in nano-optics and nanotechnology.     

Cascaded optical field enhancement in composite plasmonic nanostructures

We present composite plasmonic nanostructures designed to achieve cascaded enhancement of electromagnetic fields at optical frequencies. Our structures were made with the help of electron-beam lithography and comprise a set of metallic nanodisks placed one above another. The optical properties of reproducible arrays of these structures were studied by using scanning confocal Raman spectroscopy. We show that our composite nanostructures robustly demonstrate dramatic enhancement of the Raman signals when compared to those measured from constituent elements.     

Nonlinear optical switching matrix

We show that nonlinear directional couplers with variable coupling coefficients can be used to compose a special kind of switching matrix. The switching matrix can be controlled by the signal itself or by a strong pump. Light routing is realized by adjustment of the power of the signal or the pump. Because light routing is based on the optical Kerr effect, ultrafast routing is possible.     

Multifrequency optical invisibility cloak with layered plasmonic shells

Here, we theoretically suggest the possibility of employing a multilayered plasmonic shell as a cloak for reducing the total scattering cross section of a particle, simultaneously at different frequencies in the optical domain. By exploiting the frequency dispersion of plasmonic materials and their inherent negative polarizability, it is shown, theoretically and with numerical simulations, how covering a dielectric or conducting object of a certain size with this multilayered cloak may reduce its "visibility" by several orders of magnitude simultaneously at multiple frequencies.     

加入增益介质的表面等离子体激元耦合共振波导传输特性理论研究

将增益介质加入金属环构成的表面等离子体激元耦合共振波导,利用传输矩阵及时域有限差分方法研究了不同增益系数下该耦合共振波导的透射谱线、色散关系以及群折射率.结果表明,增益介质共振频率附近的反常色散及正常色散变化能有效影响由共振波导几何结构决定的色散关系曲线,且具有相反的效果,分别使其变得平坦和陡峭,从而放大和缩小由共振波导几何结构决定的群折射率.另外,增益系数随外加抽运光改变的特点使得加入增益介质的耦合共振波导具有传输性能可灵活调节特性.文章的研究对促进耦合共振波导在高密度光学集成中的广泛应用具有积极意义. 关键词： 增益介质 耦合共振波导 表面等离子体激元 群折射率     

Ultrafast photonic crystal optical switching

Photonic crystal, a novel and artificial photonic material with periodic dielectric distribution, possesses photonic bandgap and can control the propagation states of photons. Photonic crystal has been considered to be a promising candidate for the future integrated photonic devices. The properties and the fabrication method of photonic crystal are expounded. The progresses of the study of ultrafast photonic crystal optical switching are discussed in detail.     

Theoretical near-field optical properties of branched plasmonic nanoparticle networks

Extended branched networks of single-nanoparticle chains have recently been self-assembled from colloidal suspensions. In particular, gold nanoparticle linear chains and complex chain networks have revealed unique signatures of plasmon modes in their extinction spectra. In this Letter, we investigate theoretically their near-field optical properties and show that a real space mapping of these modes can be achieved with a photon scanning tunneling microscope setup. A distinct subwavelength patterning of the optical near-field gives rise to well-resolved photon scanning tunneling microscope images that can be used to identify the network segments able to efficiently carry optical energy.     

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.     

Low-loss plasmonic hybrid optical ridge waveguide on silicon-on-insulator substrate

To achieve low loss and complete confinement of light, we propose and study a plasmonic hybrid optical waveguide fabricated on an silicon-on-insulator substrate. Using controlled oxidation and etching processes, a deep submicrometer Si core is fabricated based on UV photolithography patterning. The as-fabricated waveguide demonstrates a very low propagation loss of 1.6 dB/mm at 1550 nm. The numerical study discloses the hybrid characteristics of the mode. It is shown that the optical power of the waveguiding mode distributes more in the high-index Si-core region, and the metal cover further confines the light beyond the diffraction limit. The hybrid waveguide may be applied in compact, high-density Si photonic integrated circuits.     

光交换节点中的全光再生技术研究

比较了光交换节点中几种全光再生技术方案的优缺点,重点描述光纤参量振荡器的时钟提取实验和基于磁光四波混频的光门整形技术。实验揭示了光纤参量振荡器闲频光反馈控制方法的工作原理,并提取出稳定的高质量时钟信号。仿真比较了4种四波混频光门再生方案的功率转移特性,开展了磁光四波混频再生实验。研究表明:通过对高非线性光纤加载180 Gs直流磁场,可使光接收机灵敏度进一步提升2 dB。最后指出了全光再生技术的多信道、集成化发展趋势。     

Ultrafast optical switching in three-dimensional photonic crystals

We present the first experimental investigation of ultrafast optical switching in a three-dimensional photonic crystal made of a Si-opal composite. Ultrafast (30 fs) changes in reflectivity around the photonic stop band up to 1% were measured for moderate pump power (70 microJ/cm(2)). Short-lived photoexcited carriers in silicon induce changes in the dielectric constant of Si and diminish the constructive interference inside the photonic crystal. The results are analyzed within a model based on a two-band mixing formalism.     

Dynamic optical interconnection in free-space switching system

A dynamic optical interconnection system is experimented by a holographic crossbar. The pixelated multi-phase grating array displayed on spatial light modulator generated a beam array onto an arbitrary position with high efficiency in the output plane. The system operates at high speed as a free-space optical switch.     

All optical switching in henna thin film

The optical nonlinearity in henna (Lawson (2- hydroxyl-1,4 naphthoquinone) film was utilized to demonstrate all optical switching. The nonlinear absorption of the henna film was calculated by measuring the transmission of the laser beam (λ = 488 nm) as a function of incident light intensities. The observed nonlinear absorption is attributed to a two-photon absorption process. The pump and probe technique was used to demonstrate all optical switching. The switching characteristics can be utilized to generate all-optical logic gates such as simple inverter switches (NOT) NOR, AND NAND logic functions.     

All optical switching in azo-polymer planar waveguide

In this paper all optical switching in planar methyl red doped poly (methyl methacrylate) (MR/PMMA) waveguide and the effects of different parameters on this process are presented. Switching was achieved by a 488 nm Ar ion laser (pump beam) on a 633 nm He-Ne laser (probe beam) when passed through the waveguide. The effect of temperature and pump intensity, polarization and chopping frequency on switching is investigated. The switching process is attributed to trans-cis-trans photoisomerization of azo dyes in the polymer host. By studying the absorption spectrum of the sample, it is shown that both pump and probe laser beams are effective on the switching process.