Identification and control of multiple leaky plasmon modes in silver nanowires

Leaky plasmon modes (LPMs) in metal nanowires (NWs), which combine the physical characteristic of both “plasmonics” and “leaky radiation”, present distinguished performances in terms of guiding and radiating light. In contrast to traditional light‐guiding in metal NWs with one single LPM, multiple LPMs are crucial for advanced uses such as augmenting data transmission channels, enhancing sensing performance, manipulating polarization and converting mode. Here, we demonstrate experimentally the control over multiple LPMs in pentagonal silver NWs. By combining far‐field real‐space imaging and leakage radiation microscopy, the three typical LPMs with fields mainly concentrating in corners surrounded by air are specifically identified. By manipulating excitation wavelengths and NW diameters, the number of the excited LPMs can be controlled. These findings reveal the physics of LPMs in silver NWs, thereby paving the way towards applying the high‐order leaky modes in silver NWs for photonic integrated circuits, nanoscale confinement, plasmonic sensing, QD‐nanowire coupling, etc.

     

Coexistence of localized and delocalized surface plasmon modes in percolating metal films

Near-field intensity statistics in semicontinuous silver films over a wide range of surface coverage are investigated using near-field scanning optical microscopy. The variance of intensity fluctuations and the high-order moments of intensity enhancement exhibit local minima at the percolation threshold. This reduction in local field fluctuations results from resonant excitation of delocalized surface plasmon modes. By probing the modification of the critical indices for high-order moments of intensity enhancement caused by the delocalized states, we provide the first experimental evidence for the coexistence of localized and delocalized surface plasmon modes in percolating metal films.     

银纳米粒子阵列中衍射诱导高品质因子的四偶极晶格等离子体模式

金属纳米颗粒阵列中形成的四偶极晶格共振模式具有低辐射损耗、高品质因子的特性,因此广泛应用于纳米激光、传感、固态照明等领域.基于时域有限差分法在均匀环境下研究了银纳米圆柱阵列的光谱与近场特性.研究结果表明,在x偏振光直入射下,通过调节阵列x方向的周期,共振强度先增加后降低,当两个方向上的周期相等时,提出的阵列结构能够产生一个线宽约0.4 nm、品质因子高达1815的四偶极晶格共振模式,这种共振模式呈现出Fano线型的透射谷;调控y方向的周期能够实现从Fano线型的透射峰到透射谷的转变.本文说明了粒子大小、晶格周期对四偶极晶格共振模式的重要性,同时为银纳米颗粒在可见光波段设计高品质因子共振提供了优化策略.     

Surface plasmon mediated near-field imaging and optical addressing in nanoscience

We present an overview of recent progress in "plasmonics". We focus our study on the observation and excitation of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) with optical near-field microscopy. We discuss in particular recent applications of photon scanning tunnelling microscope (PSTM) for imaging of SPP propagating in metal and dielectric wave guides. We show how near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) can be used to optically and actively address remote nano objects such as quantum dots. Additionally we compare results obtained with near-field microcopy to those obtained with other optical far-field methods of analysis such as leakage radiation microscopy (LRM).     

Ultrafast dynamics of surface plasmon polaritons in plasmonic metamaterials

Using near-field scanning optical microscopy and ultrafast laser spectroscopy, we study the linear optical properties of subwavelength nanoslit and nanohole arrays in metal films, which are prototype structures for novel plasmonic metamaterials. Near-field microscopy provides direct evidence for surface plasmon polariton (SPP) excitation and allows for spatial imaging of the corresponding SPP modes. By employing spectral interferometry with ultrashort 11-fs light pulses, we directly reconstruct the temporal structure of the electric field of these pulses as they are transmitted through the metallic nanostructures. The analysis of these data allows for a quantitative extraction of the plasmonic band structure and the radiative damping of the corresponding SPP modes. Clear evidence for plasmonic band gap formation is given. Our results reveal that the coherent coupling between different SPP modes can result in a pronounced suppression of radiative SPP damping, increasing the SPP lifetime from 30 fs to more than 200 fs. These findings are relevant for optimizing and manipulating the optical properties of novel nano-plasmonic devices. PACS 42.70.Qs; 07.79.Fc; 42.25.-p     

Gap plasmon modes resolved by ultraflat nanogap and linear polarization in terrace-stepped hexagonal boron nitride spacer sandwiched by Ag nanowire and metal substrates

We investigate the nanogap and polarization-resolved excitation of gap plasmon modes using terrace-stepped hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) sandwiched between Ag nanowires and Au substrates for a metal–insulator–metal gap structure. The gap plasmon modes in the proposed hybrid structure are dominantly excited by a P-polarized incident light, which is supported by full-wave numerical simulations. Plasmon mode evolution for various hBN spacer thicknesses ranging from 5 to 90 nm shows that optical signals acquired via unpolarized dark-field mapping spectroscopy are primarily due to the optical scattering of the P-polarized incident light. Moreover, this plasmonic mode changes significantly from gap plasmon mode to Fabry–Perot-type resonance in a hBN thickness of 50–90 nm. Our analysis reveals that the proposed hybrid structure based on Ag nanowires and stepped hBN provides a well-defined gap thickness and is a robust platform for analyzing gap plasmon modes.     

Plasmonic coherent drive of an optical trap

We demonstrate that optical trapping can be driven by delocalized surface plasmon modes resonantly excited within a standing wave trap. Dynamical modifications are shown to be determined by the near-field symmetry of the plasmonic modes with negligible thermal effect. With low trapping powers and polarization control, remarkable stiffness enhancements are recorded, the larger the smaller the particle. The results can be simply modeled accounting for a coherent interaction between the plasmon field and the Gaussian standing wave of the trap.     

Phase singularity of surface plasmon polaritons generated by optical vortices

We demonstrate an experimental result that shows the phase singularity of surface plasmon waves generated by the direct transform of optical vortices at normal incidence focused on a structureless metal surface. The near-field two-dimensional intensity distribution near the focal plane is experimentally examined by using near-field scanning optical microscopy and shows a good agreement with the finite-difference time-domain simulation result. The experimental realization demonstrates a potential of the proposed excitation scheme to be reconfigured locally with advantages over structures milled into optically thick metallic films for plasmonics applications involving plasmonic vortices.     

Near-field observation of plasmon excitation and propagation on ordered elliptical hole arrays

We report a near-field study of the excitation and propagation of surface plasmon on ordered Ag elliptical hole arrays with a scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscope. Strong dipole-like local plasmon is identified at each individual hole from near-field optical intensity and phase images. The excitation of the local plasmon at the elliptical hole is found to follow polarization excitation constraint. The coherent superposition of these local plasmon waves to form an extended surface plasmon wave propagating to an adjacent hole array is observed directly. The near-field results are consistent with the results obtained from far-field extraordinary transmission measurements. PACS 42.25.Bs; 42.25.Hz; 42.25.Ja; 42.25.Kb; 07.79.Fc     

Transmission enhancement of Ag nanoparticle aggregates in azo-polymer films

Ag nanoparticle aggregates in azo-polymer films were investigated by using scanning near-field optical microscopy. The near-field optical images show that transmission enhancement happened for these metal aggregates. Far-field experiment results show that the photo-induced isomeration speed of the azo-polymer molecules was enhanced when doped with Ag nanoparticle aggregates. The mechanism of the transmittance enhancement and speed enhancement was discussed from the viewpoint of the excitation of the surface plasmon of Ag nanoparticle aggregates. PACS 68.37.Uv; 42.70.Jk; 78.67.Bf; 71.36.+c     

Near-field spectroscopy of surface plasmons in flat gold nanoparticles

We use near-field interference spectroscopy with a broadband femtosecond, white-light probe to study local surface plasmon resonances in flat gold nanoparticles (FGNPs). Depending on nanoparticle dimensions, local near-field extinction spectra exhibit none, one, or two resonances in the range of visible wavelengths (1.6-2.6 eV). The measured spectra can be accurately described in terms of interference between the field emitted by the probe aperture and the field reradiated by driven FGNP surface plasmon oscillations. The measured resonances are in good agreement with those predicted by calculations using discrete dipole approximation. We observe that the amplitudes of these resonances are dependent upon the spatial position of the near-field probe, which indicates the possibility of spatially selective excitation of specific plasmon modes.     

Optical oscillation modes of plasmon particles observed in direct space by phase-contrast near-field microscopy

Light distributions near resonant metal nanoparticles are recorded by a scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscope (s-SNOM), for the first time with a sub-particle-size resolution (<10 nm) and with simultaneous amplitude and phase contrast. The images depict the optical oscillation patterns of single plasmon particles. Examples are presented of particles excited in dominantly dipolar and quadrupolar modes, and also of closely spaced particles sustaining a gap mode. The gap mode can provide enhanced optical fields in nanometric spots for non-linear and single-molecule spectroscopy applications. Received: 20 June 2001 / Revised version: 3 August 2001 / Published online: 19 September 2001     

Mid-infrared optical resonances in quantum dot photodetectors coupled with metallic gratings with different aperture diameters

The paper is devoted to optical testing of mid-infrared Ge/Si photodetectors obtained by stacking of self-assembled Ge quantum dots in multilayer structures, which are near-field coupled to the adjacent nanoplasmonic arrays of subwavelength holes in metallic films. It is shown that photocurrent and near-field spectra consist of several sets of peaks, which are attributted to surface plasmon waves, localized surface plasmon modes or diffractive Rayleigh anomaly depending on the hole diameter and the angle of incidence θ. We find that for small holes the greatest contribution to the photocurrent enhancement is due to the excitation of the surface plasmon-polariton waves for all θ. As the hole diameter is increased and becomes comparable with the array periodicity, the normal-incident photoresponse improvement is provided by the Rayleigh anomaly. With the increase of incident angle, the photocurrent enhancement is supposed to arise from coupling of the localized shape resonance and propagating plasmon modes.     

Near-field optical observations of surface plasmon wave interference at subwavelength hole arrays perforated in Au film

We image optical near-field patterns at subwavelength circular hole arrays in Au film by using scanning near-field optical microscopy in near-infrared wavelengths.Periodical oscillation features are found in the near-field images at the air/Au interface and exhibit two typical kinds of standing wave oscillation forms at the wavelengths corresponding to the transmission minimum and maximum in the transmission spectrum,and the latter one originates from the excitation and interference of a surface plasmon wave at the metallic hole arrays.Our work indicates that monitoring optical near-field patterns can help to reveal many interesting properties of surface plasmon waves at metallic nanostructures and understand their underlying physical mechanisms.     

Nonlinear resonance-enhanced excitation of surface plasmon polaritons

We theoretically investigate nonlinear resonance-enhanced excitation of surface plasmon polaritons in a metal coated by a one-dimensional photonic crystal. Tunneling modes above the air-light line can be directly excited in this structure. Then, with suitable parameters, photon energy and momentum conservation between the tunneling mode and the surface plasmon polaritons can be realized by means of nonlinear four-wave mixing. Compared with the nonlinear excitation of surface plasmon polaritons in a bulk metal [Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 266802 (2009)], the conversion efficiency in our structure is noticeably enhanced.     

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.     

阿基米德螺旋微纳结构中的表面等离激元聚焦

研究光在微纳结构中的分布与传播, 实现在纳米范围内操纵光子, 对于微型光学芯片的设计有着重要意义. 本文利用聚焦离子束刻蚀方法, 在基底为石英玻璃的150 nm厚金膜上刻制了不同参数的阿基米德螺旋微纳狭缝结构, 通过改变入射光波长、手性、及螺旋结构手性和螺距等方式, 在理论和实验上系统地研究了阿基米德螺旋微纳结构中的表面等离激元聚焦性质. 我们发现, 除了入射激光偏振态、螺旋结构手性之外, 结构螺距与表面等离激元波长的比值也可以用来控制结构表面电场分布, 进而在结构中心形成0阶、1阶乃至更高阶符合隐失贝塞尔函数的涡旋电场. 通过相位分析, 我们对涡旋电场的成因进行了解释. 并利用有限时域差分的模拟方法计算了不同螺距时, 结构中形成的电场及相应空间相位分布. 最后利用扫描近场光学显微镜, 观测结构中不同的光场分布, 在结构中心得到了亚波长的聚焦光斑及符合不同阶贝塞尔函数的涡旋形表面等离激元聚焦环.     

Near-Field Optical Transfer Function for Far-Field Super-Resolution Imaging

The far-field superlens based on surface plasmon polaritons （SPP） has shown great application potential, but it is difficult and time-consuming to reconstruct the far-field image. We derive a near-field optical transfer function （NOTF） of a silver slab and analyse its validity so that accurate information of nano-seale object in the near-field can be computed rapidly. The NOTF is helpful not only for analysing the super-resolution imaging process in far-field, but also for providing a track to describe the transmission of optical information from near-field to far-field by using the optical transfer functions theorv only.     

内嵌圆饼空心方形银纳米结构的光学性质

采用离散偶极子近似方法计算了内嵌圆饼空心方形银纳米结构的消光光谱以及其近场的电场强度分布,并进一步与空心方形纳米结构的消光光谱和表面电场做比较.结果表明,在耦合作用下内嵌圆饼空心方形银纳米结构不仅产生了新的共振模式,而且新的共振模式在传统表面增强拉曼散射的激发波长范围内,进而可以弥补由于实验上运用纳米切片法所制备的空心方形纳米结构尺寸较大导致其共振吸收峰在远红外波长范围的不足.此外,可以通过改变内嵌圆饼空心方形银纳米结构的形貌参数调节其表面等离子体共振峰的共振波长,以满足在表面增强拉曼散射、生物分子或化学分子探测上的应用.     

Optical interaction in a plasmonic metallic particle chain coupled to a metallic film

We study the coupling of localized surface plasmon and surface plasmon polariton modes in a system composed of a metallic nanoparticle chain imbedded in a dielectric–metal–dielectric substrate. The results show the influence of outside parts and imbedded parts of particles on the interaction between localized surface plasmon and surface plasmon polariton modes. An enhancement can be observed in our structure. This kind of the structure has a very promising candidate for biosensing and surface enhanced spectroscopy applications.