金属光栅对表面等离子体波的辐射抑制研究

对金属光栅进行严格耦合波理论计算, 得到了780和1500 nm波长入射光条件下不同光栅调制深度(20-80 nm)对应的反射谱. 根据Fano理论推导了描述反射谱线的经验公式, 最后应用有限元法计算光栅表面近场电场分布, 验证了公式的正确性. 反射谱线公式反映出光栅耦合表面等离子体的各个物理效应, 其中最重要的是反映出光栅在某一调制深度下对表面等离子体反耦合的抑制作用, 这一发现为设计光栅能量约束器件提供了物理依据.     

干涉高斯光诱导的表面等离子激元驻波场的分析

考虑到实际入射光强的空间分布不均匀,基于Kretschmann模型并采用角谱方法分析模拟了两束高斯光干涉诱导表面等离子激元(SPP)驻波场。与理想平面波不同,高斯光诱导的SPP干涉条纹幅值大小不等,分布复杂,这表明光强空间非均匀程度会严重地影响到曝光深度的分布。还分析了金属薄膜的厚度、损耗以及光刻胶的介电常数对SPP驻波场的影响,并得出不恰当的金属板厚和细微损耗都会极大削弱SPP驻波场,而如果光刻胶的介电常数过大则有可能产生不了表面等离子体共振的结论。     

Femtosecond photoemission microscopy

We developed a novel experiment for time-resolved photoemission microscopy by combining a commercial photoemission electron microscope (PEEM) with a pulsed Ti:sapphire laser oscillator. The laser system, the setup of the delay stage for pump-probe experiments, and the interface between the PEEM and the laser system are discussed. We use self-organization of Ag islands and nanowires on Si(1 1 1) and 4° vicinal Si(0 0 1) to generate structures with a plasmon resonance that matches the photon energy of our laser (?ω = 3.1 eV after frequency doubling). In two-photon photoemission (2PPE) the photoemission yield then directly visualizes the plasmons in the nanostructures. Accordingly, the photoemission yield depends on the size and shape of the nanostructures, and on the polarization of the laser pulses as well. In Ag nanowires, we observe surface plasmon polariton (SPP) waves by a beating that is formed by interference of the SPP wave and the incident laser light. In a pump-probe experiment, we can directly visualize the propagation of the SPP on a femtosecond time scale.     

金属-光折变材料复合全息结构对表面等离激元的波前调控

表面等离激元(surface plasmon polaritons, SPPs)控制具有重要意义.表面电磁波全息法是在金属表面设计能有效控制SPP传输的凹槽阵列结构.本文提出一种新的SPP传输的控制方法,利用金属-光折变材料复合全息结构控制SPP传播.在金属表面覆盖一层光折变材料,两束SPP波在光折变材料内干涉生成全息结构,利用此全息结构能够控制SPP的传播.通过时域有限差分法模拟验证,结果显示,通过金属-光折变材料复合全息结构可以有效地控制SPP波束的传输,实现SPP平面波束的单点聚焦、两点聚焦,以及生成零阶和一阶高斯SPP波束.经过优化发现,光折变材料的最佳厚度为3.3μm,最佳折射率调制度为0.06.现有SPP控制器件主要是通过离子束刻蚀,而金属-光折变材料复合全息结构不需要刻蚀,从而扩展了SPP控制的器件的制作方法,为SPPs的全光控制提供了新的思路,使SPP全光控制成为可能,进一步实现了SPP全光开关等功能.     

Complex Modulation in Plasmon-Assisted Transmission Spectra of a Two-Slit Structure

We study the plasmon-assisted transmission of two kinds of slit structures in a 290-nm-thick silver film on a glass substrate. For the two-slit structure, the total transmission intensity spectra displays a complex modulation, which is attributed to different propagation constants of the surface plasmon polaritons （SPPs） on the silver-air and silver-glass interfaces. Replacing one of the two slits by a shallow corrugation results in a simple sinusoidal intensity modulation because of the only effective SPP excitation and propagation on the silver-air interface. These confirm the role of different SPP propagations and interference in the transmission properties of metal nanoslits.     

Dual mode near-field scanning optical microscopy for near-field imaging of surface plasmon polariton

In this paper, we theoretically and experimentally demonstrate that metal coated apertured probes are efficient near-field probes on surfaces with high reflectivity for the scattering as well as for the collection mode near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM). We show that a blunt apertured metal coated tip is very effective in suppressing image dipoles which affect strongly the signals scattered from frequently used sharp metal tips or gold nanoparticle attached probes. By using a simultaneous collection and scattering mode (dual mode) NSOM we measure the near-field images of surface plasmon polariton (SPP) launched from a slit. The collection mode measures propagating SPP along lateral distance in a long scan range with high signal-to-noise ratio, and the scattering mode measures the polarization resolved near-field of SPP. Comparisons of the measured data obtained in the dual mode enable to easily characterize SPP and to separate the measured near-field into the propagating SPP and the directly transmitted light.     

Unidirectional excitation of surface plasmon polaritons in T-shaped waveguide with nanodisk resonator

The unidirectional excitation of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) in a novel configuration is numerically investigated by the finite-difference time-domain method. It is found that the transmission varies periodically with the increase of distance between the nanodisk resonator and horizontal nanoslit, which can be interpreted by the interference theory. The operating wavelength of this structure can be tuned by altering the refractive index of the nanodisk resonator. This subwavelength-scale structure exhibits high transmission (～58%) due to the constructive interference of the SPP modes, and thus can find important applications on the manipulation of SPP excitation in highly integrated optical circuits.     

Nonlinear spoof surface plasmon polariton phenomena based on conductor metamaterials

We present nonlinear phenomena produced from spoof surface plasmon polariton (SSPP) modes. Below the THz spectrum, artificially textured conducting metastructures on a subwavelength scale generate surface-bound modes and are called SSPP modes, similar to surface plasmon polariton (SPP) modes in the visible spectrum. Even though nonlinear effects in the THz domain are negligible, subwavelength metallic gap structures are ideal candidates to realize nonlinear behavior in the THz domain because of slow light propagation, strong electromagnetic confinement, and a high quality factor Q. In particular, when SSPP structures are combined with Kerr nonlinear materials, nonlinear-bistable curves can be observed below the THz spectrum.     

Phase‐controlled directional switching of surface plasmon polaritons via beam interference

A novel method for switching the direction of surface plasmon polarition (SPP) launching is proposed. The principle behind the switching mechanism is based on the relative phase difference between the reference beam and the control beam. Selective guidance of the direction of SPP can be explained by the composition of the charge parity that is induced near the slit edge, which is caused by interference created by two incident beams. The switching of SPP launching direction could be implemented by simple phase modulation of the control beam when the slit parameters satisfy the specific conditions at the designed specific wavelength. An experimental demonstration, in good agreement with numerical results, shows that our configuration of SPP switching can be operated by a quite simple interaction.     

Polarization detection analysis of dual-channel surface plasmon resonance sensing for silicone oils based on the D-shaped fiber with a central hole

We present and numerically characterize a dual channel surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor based on a D-shaped fiber with a central hole for silicone oil detections. The proposed design incorporates two metalized channels to facilitate the simultaneous detection of one group of silicone oils, which can consist of two different species. It has been demonstrated that the p-polarized input light can induce two peaks among surface plasmon resonance places, which come from the coupling between the core-guided mode and the fundamental surface plasmon polariton (SPP) modes at the D-shaped surface and around the central hole surface. However, the s-polarized input light can only induce one peak among surface plasmon resonance places, which comes from the coupling between the core-guided mode and the fundamental SPP mode around the central hole surface. The simulation results show that the characteristic responses of two channels independently correspond to the refractive index variations in the silicone oils with which they are in contact. A maximum sensitivity of 3500 nm/RIU (refractive index unit) and 4400 nm/RIU are achieved for channel A and B, respectively. This kind of sensor structure and polarization related demodulation method is promising in the simultaneous multi-analytes sensing applications in the future.     

Diffraction properties of binary graphene sheet arrays

We theoretically and numerically investigate the diffraction properties of surface plasmon polariton(SPP) in binary graphene sheet arrays. The single SPP band splits into two minibands by alternatively arranging the graphene waveguides with two different chemical potentials. Numerical simulations show that SPP beams in the array split into two different paths due to the different diffraction relation.     

Plasmonic coupler based on the nanoslit with bump

In this paper, we propose a plasmonic coupler which is composed of a nanoslit with a bump. The slit is used to generate surface plasmon polariton (SPP), and the bump is employed as a SPP reflector. It is found that the phase difference between the SPP propagating the opposite direction to the bump and the one reflected by the bump can be periodically adjusted by the distance between the center of slit and the bump. When the constructive interference between the two SPPs occurs, the proposed structure can be regarded as a undirectional plasmonic coupler. Moreover, we also find that the propagation of the interfering SPPs is influenced by the width and length of bump. It is expected that our results may be utilized to control the electromagnetic wave in subwavelength optics.     

Extraordinary optical transmission through metal gratings with single and double grooved surfaces

We investigate the transmission properties of a normally incident TM plane wave through metal films with periodic parabolic-shaped grooves on single and double surfaces using the finite-difference-time-domain method. Nearly zero transmission efficiency is found at wavelengths corresponding to surface plasmon excitation on a flat surface in the case where the single surface is grooved. Meanwhile, resonant excitation of surface plasmon polariton (SPP) Bloch modes leads to a strong transmission peak at slightly larger wavelengths. When the grating is grooved on double surfaces, the transmission enhancement can be dramatically improved due to the resonant tunnelling between SPP Bloch modes.     

Interaction between localized and propagating surface plasmons: Ag fine particles on Al surface

Samples consisting of Ag fine particles 4nm in size placed near to an Al surface were prepared by depositing Ag-SiO₂ composite films by a rf cosputtering method onto vacuum-evaporated Al films. Angle-scan attenuated total reflection (ATR) measurements were performed over a wide wavelength range (λ=350-630nm) covering the resonance region (λ-410nm) of localized surface plasmon (LSP) in the Ag particles. It was found that the existence of Ag fine particles near to the Al surface led to a deformation of the dispersion curve of the surface plasmon polariton (SPP) propagating on the Al surface, in particular, in the LSP resonance region. The interaction between LSP and SPP was found to become much stronger as the distance between the particles and the surface decreases. The theoretical calculations based on the effective medium theory, which gave an effective dielectric function of the Ag-SiO₂ composite film, reproduced the deformation of the dispersion curve of the SPP. The deformation of the dispersion observed experimentally was qualitatively explained by the behavior of the effective dielectric function of the Ag-SiO₂ composite film.     

A novel phase-sensitive scanning near-field optical microscope

Phase is one of the most important parameters of electromagnetic waves. It is the phase distribution that determines the propagation, reflection, refraction, focusing, divergence, and coupling features of light, and further affects the intensity distribution. In recent years, the designs of surface plasmon polariton(SPP) devices have mostly been based on the phase modulation and manipulation. Here we demonstrate a phase sensitive multi-parameter heterodyne scanning near-field optical microscope(SNOM) with an aperture probe in the visible range, with which the near field optical phase and amplitude distributions can be simultaneously obtained. A novel architecture combining a spatial optical path and a fiber optical path is employed for stability and flexibility. Two kinds of typical nano-photonic devices are tested with the system. With the phase-sensitive SNOM, the phase and amplitude distributions of any nano-optical field and localized field generated with any SPP nano-structures and irregular phase modulation surfaces can be investigated. The phase distribution and the interference pattern will help us to gain a better understanding of how light interacts with SPP structures and how SPP waves generate, localize, convert, and propagate on an SPP surface. This will be a significant guidance on SPP nano-structure design and optimization.     

金属-绝缘体-金属隧道发光结的电子隧穿和负阻现象

薄膜Au-Al₂O₃-Al隧道结(MIMTJ)在产生可见光发射的同时表现出了明显的负阻现象.这种负阻现象的物理机制是由于结中产生了作为发光中介作用的表面等离极化激元(SPP)对隧穿电子的阻挡作用.通过MIMTJ的电子输运的电路模拟和I-V特性的数值计算，揭示了SPP在I-V特性曲线中的负阻、隧道结发光中所起的关键作用. 关键词：     

Coherent exciton-surface-plasmon-polariton interaction in hybrid metal-semiconductor nanostructures

We report measurements of a coherent coupling between surface plasmon polaritons (SPP) and quantum well excitons in a hybrid metal-semiconductor nanostructure. The hybrid structure is designed to optimize the radiative exciton-SPP interaction which is probed by low-temperature, angle-resolved, far-field reflectivity spectroscopy. As a result of the coupling, a significant shift of approximately 7 meV and an increase in broadening by approximately 4 meV of the quantum well exciton resonance are observed. The experiments are corroborated by a phenomenological coupled-oscillator model predicting coupling strengths as large as 50 meV in structures with optimized detunings between the coupled exciton and SPP resonances. Such a strong interaction can, e.g., be used to enhance the luminescence yield of semiconductor quantum structures or to amplify SPP waves.     

Active modulation of plasmonic signal with a subwavelength metal/nonlinear dielectric material/metal structure

<正>Light propagation through a metal/nonlinear dielectric material/metal(M-NL-M) structure is numerically studied.The design parameters of the M-NL-M structure are found with the waveguide theory so that the structure only supports the symmetric surface plasmon polaritons(SPP(0)) mode and the antisymmetric surface plasmon polaritons(SPP(1)) mode.The coupling between the two modes within the M-NL-M structure is exploited.Through controlling the propagation constants of the two modes with the intensity-dependent dielectric constant of the nonlinear Kerr material,an effective all-optical control of plasmonic signal modulator can be realized with this M-NL-M structure.     

SNOM Observations of Surface Plasmon Polaritons on Metal Heterostructures

We observe surface plasmon polariton （SPP） refraction on a metal heterostructured sample with a scattered-type scanning near-field optical microscope （SNOM）. The sample consists of AI and Au in-plane whose boundary is smooth enough with proper etching time. SPPs excited on the AI film travel to the boundary and a portion of SPPs propagates into the Au film. In addition, interference fringes appear in the SNOM image bent at the boundary. The result is analysed with effective index method and the refracted angle is explained by Shell＇s law.     

Surface-plasmon-polariton-assisted dipole-dipole interaction near metal surfaces

We investigate the surface plasmon polariton (SPP)-assisted interaction between two dipoles near a metal surface. The radiation energy from a dipole can excite SPPs and transport to another dipole through the channel of the localized SPP modes. This energy transfer can be much more efficient than direct energy transfer via dipole-dipole radiation interaction in free space. A simple analytical model is proposed to describe the underlying physics behind the influence of SPP on the dipole-dipole interaction energy, and it predicts a wide variety of complicated interaction features that agree well with rigorous calculations.