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2739 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Photonic Nanostructures Design and Optimization for Solar Cell Application

by Qian Liu, Eric Sandgren, Miles Barnhart, Rui Zhu and Guoliang Huang

Photonics 2015, 2(3), 893-905; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics2030893 - 26 Aug 2015

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5583

Abstract

In this paper, a semiconducting photonic nanostructure capable of wide range absorption and tunable optical resonance has been designed with a proposed theoretical optimization model. The design consists of ZnO/CdS core-shell nanowire arrays as well as multilayer thin films that act to absorb [...] Read more.

In this paper, a semiconducting photonic nanostructure capable of wide range absorption and tunable optical resonance has been designed with a proposed theoretical optimization model. The design consists of ZnO/CdS core-shell nanowire arrays as well as multilayer thin films that act to absorb incident electromagnetic (EM) waves over a broad frequency range. Theoretical, as well as numerical, studies of the nanostructure inside a solar cell plate have been conducted in order to validate the proposed microstructural design. Excellent energy absorption rates of EM waves have been achieved in the high frequency range by using the optical resonance of the nanowire array. By combining multilayer thin film with the core-shell nanowire in the unit cell of a photonic solar cell, a broadband high absorption has been achieved. Moreover, the geometry of the proposed photonic nanostructure is obtained through the implementation of a genetic algorithm. This avoids local minima and an optimized absorption rate of ~90% over the frequency range of 300 to 750 THz has been obtained in the solar cell. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Frontiers in Plasmonics and Metamaterials)

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1648 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multipoles of Even/Odd Split-Ring Resonators

by Andrew Chen, Ashok Kodigala, Thomas Lepetit and Boubacar Kanté

Photonics 2015, 2(3), 883-892; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics2030883 - 5 Aug 2015

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 6667

Abstract

The ultimate goal of metamaterial engineering is to have complete control over the electromagnetic constitutive parameters in three-dimensional space. This engineering can be done by considering either single meta-atoms or full meta-arrays. We follow the first route and perform numerical simulations of split-ring [...] Read more.

The ultimate goal of metamaterial engineering is to have complete control over the electromagnetic constitutive parameters in three-dimensional space. This engineering can be done by considering either single meta-atoms or full meta-arrays. We follow the first route and perform numerical simulations of split-ring resonators, with different gap numbers and under varying illumination scenarios, to investigate their individual multipolar scattering response. For the fundamental resonance, we observe that odd-gap rings always exhibit overlapping electric and magnetic dipole responses while even-gap rings only exhibit that behavior accidentally. We expect our results to foster progress in the engineering of three-dimensional disordered metamaterials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Frontiers in Plasmonics and Metamaterials)

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13552 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Irregular Bimetallic Nanostructures on the Optical Properties of Photosystem I from Thermosynechococcus elongatus

by Imran Ashraf, Sepideh Skandary, Mohammad Y. Khaywah, Michael Metzger, Alfred J. Meixner, Pierre M. Adam and Marc Brecht

Photonics 2015, 2(3), 838-854; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics2030838 - 23 Jul 2015

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 6426

Abstract

The fluorescence of photosystem I (PSI) trimers in proximity to bimetallic plasmonic nanostructures have been explored by single-molecule spectroscopy (SMS) at cryogenic temperature (1.6 K). PSI serves as a model for biological multichromophore-coupled systems with high potential for biotechnological applications. Plasmonic nanostructures are [...] Read more.

The fluorescence of photosystem I (PSI) trimers in proximity to bimetallic plasmonic nanostructures have been explored by single-molecule spectroscopy (SMS) at cryogenic temperature (1.6 K). PSI serves as a model for biological multichromophore-coupled systems with high potential for biotechnological applications. Plasmonic nanostructures are fabricated by thermal annealing of thin metallic films. The fluorescence of PSI has been intensified due to the coupling with plasmonic nanostructures. Enhancement factors up to 22.9 and 5.1 are observed for individual PSI complexes coupled to Au/Au and Ag/Au samples, respectively. Additionally, a wavelength dependence of fluorescence enhancement is observed, which can be explained by the multichromophoric composition of PSI. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Frontiers in Plasmonics and Metamaterials)

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448 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Graphene Plasmonic Waveguides for Mid-Infrared Supercontinuum Generation on a Chip

by Andrey V. Gorbach

Photonics 2015, 2(3), 825-837; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics2030825 - 23 Jul 2015

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 6802

Abstract

Using perturbation expansion of Maxwell equations with the nonlinear boundary condition, a generic propagation equation is derived to describe nonlinear effects, including spectral broadening of pulses, in graphene surface plasmon (GSP) waveguides. A considerable spectral broadening of an initial 100 fs pulse with [...] Read more.

Using perturbation expansion of Maxwell equations with the nonlinear boundary condition, a generic propagation equation is derived to describe nonlinear effects, including spectral broadening of pulses, in graphene surface plasmon (GSP) waveguides. A considerable spectral broadening of an initial 100 fs pulse with 0.5 mW peak power in a 25 nm wide and 150 nm long waveguide is demonstrated. The generated supercontinuum covers the spectral range from 6 μm to 13 μm . Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Frontiers in Plasmonics and Metamaterials)

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5827 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Eccentrically-Layered Active Coated Nano-Particles for Directive Near- and Far-Field Radiation

by Rasmus Ø. Thorsen and Samel Arslanagić

Photonics 2015, 2(3), 773-794; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics2030773 - 29 Jun 2015

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5435

Abstract

The present work shows how the eccentricity in active nano-particles may lead to very interesting and rather directive near- and far-field radiation patterns. The nano-particle is of a three-layer type and consists of a silica core, a free-space middle layer and an outer [...] Read more.

The present work shows how the eccentricity in active nano-particles may lead to very interesting and rather directive near- and far-field radiation patterns. The nano-particle is of a three-layer type and consists of a silica core, a free-space middle layer and an outer silver shell and is excited by a magnetic line source. The constant frequency gain model is included in the silica core, and the eccentricity is introduced through appropriate displacements of the core. It is shown that the eccentricity in a nano-particle, which was initially designed to excite a strong dipole mode, causes a progressively larger excitation of several other (including higher order) modes, this being more so the larger the core displacement. Specifically, eccentric nano-particles are identified with comparable simultaneous excitations of dipole and quadrupole modes, with associated large values of the radiated power and, even more notably, enhanced and directive near- and far-field radiation patterns. The main beam of these patterns is shown to be effectively tailored (enhanced, reshaped and steered) by the direction and amount of the core displacement. The eccentric nano-particles can be additionally gain optimized to boost their near-field response and the radiated power, while retaining the directivity of the gain unoptimized eccentric cases. Owing to their very directive nearand far-field patterns, the proposed eccentric, active three-layer nano-particles may provide alternative strategies towards the design of directive nano-antennas relative to several of the existing solutions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Frontiers in Plasmonics and Metamaterials)

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2808 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fano Resonance Enhanced Nonreciprocal Absorption and Scattering of Light

by Ben Hopkins, Andrey E. Miroshnichenko, Alexander N. Poddubny and Yuri S. Kivshar

Photonics 2015, 2(2), 745-757; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics2020745 - 22 Jun 2015

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 8045

Abstract

We reveal that asymmetric plasmonic nanostructures can exhibit significantly different absorption and scattering properties for light that propagates in opposite directions, despite the conservation of total extinction. We analytically demonstrate that this is a consequence of nonorthogonality of eigenmodes of the system. This [...] Read more.

We reveal that asymmetric plasmonic nanostructures can exhibit significantly different absorption and scattering properties for light that propagates in opposite directions, despite the conservation of total extinction. We analytically demonstrate that this is a consequence of nonorthogonality of eigenmodes of the system. This results in the necessity for modal interference with potential enhancement via Fano resonances. Based on our theory, we propose a stacked nanocross design whose optical response exhibits an abrupt change between absorption and scattering cross-sections for plane waves propagating in opposite directions. This work thereby proposes the use of Fano resonances to employ nanostructures for measuring and distinguishing optical signals coming from opposite directions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Frontiers in Plasmonics and Metamaterials)

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560 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analytical Solution for the Stopping Power of the Cherenkov Radiation in a Uniaxial Nanowire Material

by Tiago A. Morgado, David E. Fernandes and Mário G. Silveirinha

Photonics 2015, 2(2), 702-718; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics2020702 - 19 Jun 2015

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5631

Abstract

We derive closed analytical formulae for the power emitted by moving charged particles in a uniaxial wire medium by means of an eigenfunction expansion. Our analytical expressions demonstrate that, in the absence of material dispersion, the stopping power of the uniaxial wire medium [...] Read more.

We derive closed analytical formulae for the power emitted by moving charged particles in a uniaxial wire medium by means of an eigenfunction expansion. Our analytical expressions demonstrate that, in the absence of material dispersion, the stopping power of the uniaxial wire medium is proportional to the charge velocity, and that there is no velocity threshold for the Cherenkov emission. It is shown that the eigenfunction expansion formalism can be extended to the case of dispersive lossless media. Furthermore, in the presence of material dispersion, the optimal charge velocity that maximizes the emitted Cherenkov power may be less than the speed of light in a vacuum. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Frontiers in Plasmonics and Metamaterials)

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6427 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancement and Tunability of Near-Field Radiative Heat Transfer Mediated by Surface Plasmon Polaritons in Thin Plasmonic Films

by Svetlana V. Boriskina, Jonathan K. Tong, Yi Huang, Jiawei Zhou, Vazrik Chiloyan and Gang Chen

Photonics 2015, 2(2), 659-683; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics2020659 - 18 Jun 2015

Cited by 56 | Viewed by 11269

Abstract

The properties of thermal radiation exchange between hot and cold objects can be strongly modified if they interact in the near field where electromagnetic coupling occurs across gaps narrower than the dominant wavelength of thermal radiation. Using a rigorous fluctuational electrodynamics approach, we [...] Read more.

The properties of thermal radiation exchange between hot and cold objects can be strongly modified if they interact in the near field where electromagnetic coupling occurs across gaps narrower than the dominant wavelength of thermal radiation. Using a rigorous fluctuational electrodynamics approach, we predict that ultra-thin films of plasmonic materials can be used to dramatically enhance near-field heat transfer. The total spectrally integrated film-to-film heat transfer is over an order of magnitude larger than between the same materials in bulk form and also exceeds the levels achievable with polar dielectrics such as SiC. We attribute this enhancement to the significant spectral broadening of radiative heat transfer due to coupling between surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) on both sides of each thin film. We show that the radiative heat flux spectrum can be further shaped by the choice of the substrate onto which the thin film is deposited. In particular, substrates supporting surface phonon polaritons (SPhP) strongly modify the heat flux spectrum owing to the interactions between SPPs on thin films and SPhPs of the substrate. The use of thin film phase change materials on polar dielectric substrates allows for dynamic switching of the heat flux spectrum between SPP-mediated and SPhP-mediated peaks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Frontiers in Plasmonics and Metamaterials)

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1084 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Imaging Functions of Quasi-Periodic Nanohole Array as an Ultra-Thin Planar Optical Lens

by Tsung Sheng Kao, Yuan Ting Lo and Hao-Chung Kuo

Photonics 2015, 2(2), 619-633; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics2020619 - 12 Jun 2015

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5896

Abstract

In this paper, the lensing functions and imaging abilities of a quasi-periodic nanohole array in a metal screen have been theoretically investigated and demonstrated. Such an optical binary mask with nanoholes designed in an aperiodic arrangement can function as an ultra-thin planar optical [...] Read more.

In this paper, the lensing functions and imaging abilities of a quasi-periodic nanohole array in a metal screen have been theoretically investigated and demonstrated. Such an optical binary mask with nanoholes designed in an aperiodic arrangement can function as an ultra-thin planar optical lens, imaging complex structures composed of multiple light sources at tens of wavelengths away from the lens surface. Via resolving two adjacent testing objects at different separations, the effective numerical aperture (N.A.) and the effective imaging area of the planar optical lens can be evaluated, mimicking the imaging function of a conventional lens with high N.A. Furthermore, by using the quasi-periodic nanohole array as an ultra-thin planar optical lens, important applications such as X-ray imaging and nano-optical circuits may be found in circumstances where conventional optical lenses cannot readily be applied. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Frontiers in Plasmonics and Metamaterials)

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438 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Plasmonic Terahertz Amplification in Graphene-Based Asymmetric Hyperbolic Metamaterial

by Igor Nefedov and Leonid Melnikov

Photonics 2015, 2(2), 594-603; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics2020594 - 27 May 2015

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5404

Abstract

We propose and theoretically explore terahertz amplification, based on stimulated generation of plasmons in graphene asymmetric hyperbolic metamaterials (AHMM), strongly coupled to terahertz radiation. In contrast to the terahertz amplification in resonant nanocavities, AHMM provides a wide-band THz amplification without any reflection in [...] Read more.

We propose and theoretically explore terahertz amplification, based on stimulated generation of plasmons in graphene asymmetric hyperbolic metamaterials (AHMM), strongly coupled to terahertz radiation. In contrast to the terahertz amplification in resonant nanocavities, AHMM provides a wide-band THz amplification without any reflection in optically thin graphene multilayers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Frontiers in Plasmonics and Metamaterials)

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659 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Circuit Model of Plasmon-Enhanced Fluorescence

by Constantin Simovski

Photonics 2015, 2(2), 568-593; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics2020568 - 22 May 2015

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5059

Abstract

Hybridized decaying oscillations in a nanosystem of two coupled elements—a quantum emitter and a plasmonic nanoantenna—are considered as a classical effect. The circuit model of the nanosystem extends beyond the assumption of inductive or elastic coupling and implies the near-field dipole-dipole interaction. Its [...] Read more.

Hybridized decaying oscillations in a nanosystem of two coupled elements—a quantum emitter and a plasmonic nanoantenna—are considered as a classical effect. The circuit model of the nanosystem extends beyond the assumption of inductive or elastic coupling and implies the near-field dipole-dipole interaction. Its results fit those of the previously developed classical model of Rabi splitting, however going much farther. Using this model, we show that the hybridized oscillations depending on the relationships between design parameters of the nanosystem correspond to several characteristic regimes of spontaneous emission. These regimes were previously revealed in the literature and explained involving semiclassical theory. Our original classical model is much simpler: it results in a closed-form solution for the emission spectra. It allows fast prediction of the regime for different distances and locations of the emitter with respect to the nanoantenna (of a given geometry) if the dipole moment of the emitter optical transition and its field coupling constant are known. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Frontiers in Plasmonics and Metamaterials)

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7991 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Creating and Controlling Polarization Singularities in Plasmonic Fields

by Anouk De Hoogh, L. Kuipers, Taco D. Visser and Nir Rotenberg

Photonics 2015, 2(2), 553-567; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics2020553 - 22 May 2015

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5571

Abstract

Nanoscale light fields near nanoplasmonic objects can be highly structured and can contain highly-subwavelength features. Here, we present the results of our search for the simplest plasmonic system that contains, and can be used to control, the smallest such optical feature: an optical [...] Read more.

Nanoscale light fields near nanoplasmonic objects can be highly structured and can contain highly-subwavelength features. Here, we present the results of our search for the simplest plasmonic system that contains, and can be used to control, the smallest such optical feature: an optical singularity. Specifically, we study the field around subwavelength holes in a metal film and look for polarization singularities. These can be circular (C)-points, at which the polarization is circular, or linear (L)-lines, where the polarization is linear. We find that, depending on the polarization of the incident light, two or three holes are sufficient to create a wealth of these singularities. Moreover, we find for the two-hole system that C-points are created in multiples of eight. This can be explained using symmetry arguments and conservation laws. We are able to predict where these singularities are created, their index and the topology of the field surrounding them. These results demonstrate the promise of this plasmonic platform as a tool for studying and controlling fundamental properties of light fields and may be important to applications where control over these properties is required at the nanoscale. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Frontiers in Plasmonics and Metamaterials)

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314 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tailoring Effective Media by Mie Resonances of Radially-Anisotropic Cylinders

by Henrik Kettunen, Henrik Wallén and Ari Sihvola

Photonics 2015, 2(2), 509-526; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics2020509 - 14 May 2015

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5031

Abstract

This paper studies constructing advanced effective materials using arrays of circular radially-anisotropic (RA) cylinders. Homogenization of such cylinders is considered in an electrodynamic case based on Mie scattering theory. The homogenization procedure consists of two steps. First, we present an effectively isotropic model [...] Read more.

This paper studies constructing advanced effective materials using arrays of circular radially-anisotropic (RA) cylinders. Homogenization of such cylinders is considered in an electrodynamic case based on Mie scattering theory. The homogenization procedure consists of two steps. First, we present an effectively isotropic model for individual cylinders, and second, we discuss the modeling of a lattice of RA cylinders. Radial anisotropy brings us extra parameters, which makes it possible to adjust the desired effective response for a fixed frequency. The analysis still remains simple enough, enabling a derivation of analytical design equations. The considered applications include generating artificial magnetism using all-dielectric cylinders, which is currently a very sought-after phenomenon in optical frequencies. We also study how negative refraction is achieved using magnetodielectric RA cylinders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Frontiers in Plasmonics and Metamaterials)

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384 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modeling of On-Chip Optical Nonreciprocity with an Active Microcavity

by Jianming Wen, Xiaoshun Jiang, Mengzhen Zhang, Liang Jiang, Shiyue Hua, Hongya Wu, Chao Yang and Min Xiao

Photonics 2015, 2(2), 498-508; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics2020498 - 13 May 2015

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 6900

Abstract

On-chip nonreciprocal light transport holds a great impact on optical information processing and communications based upon integrated photonic devices. By harvesting gain-saturation nonlinearity, we recently demonstrated on-chip optical asymmetric transmission at telecommunication bands with superior nonreciprocal performances using only one active whispering-gallery-mode microtoroid [...] Read more.

On-chip nonreciprocal light transport holds a great impact on optical information processing and communications based upon integrated photonic devices. By harvesting gain-saturation nonlinearity, we recently demonstrated on-chip optical asymmetric transmission at telecommunication bands with superior nonreciprocal performances using only one active whispering-gallery-mode microtoroid resonator, beyond the commonly adopted magneto-optical (Faraday) effect. Here, detailed theoretical analysis is presented with respect to the reported scheme. Despite the fact that our model is simply the standard coupled-mode theory, it agrees well with the experiment and describes the essential one-way light transport in this nonreciprocal device. Further discussions, including the connection with the second law of thermodynamics and Fano resonance, are also briefly made in the end. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Frontiers in Plasmonics and Metamaterials)

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1462 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Toward Super-Resolution Imaging at Green Wavelengths Employing Stratified Metal-Insulator Metamaterials

by Masanobu Iwanaga

Photonics 2015, 2(2), 468-482; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics2020468 - 7 May 2015

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5280

Abstract

Metamaterials (MMs) are subwavelength-structured materials that have been rapidly developed in this century and have various potentials to realize novel phenomena, such as negative refraction, cloaking and super-resolution. Theoretical proposals for super-resolution image transfer using metallic thin films were experimentally demonstrated at ultraviolet [...] Read more.

Metamaterials (MMs) are subwavelength-structured materials that have been rapidly developed in this century and have various potentials to realize novel phenomena, such as negative refraction, cloaking and super-resolution. Theoretical proposals for super-resolution image transfer using metallic thin films were experimentally demonstrated at ultraviolet and violet wavelengths from 365 to 405 nm. However, the most preferred wavelengths of optical imaging are green wavelengths around 500 nm, because optical microscopy is most extensively exploited in the area of biotechnology. In order to make the super-resolution techniques using MMs more practical, we propose the design of a stratified metal-insulator MM that has super-resolution image transfer modes at green wavelengths, which we here call hyper modes. The design assumed only Ag and SiO2 as constituent materials and was found employing Bloch-state analysis, which is based on a rigorous transfer-matrix method for the metal-insulator MMs. It is numerically substantiated that the designed stratified metal-insulator metamaterial (SMIM) is capable of forming super-resolution images at the green wavelengths, and optical loss reduction is also studied. We discuss the results derived by the Bloch-state analysis and by effective medium models usually used for the metal-insulator MMs and show that the Bloch-state analysis is more suitable to reproduce the experimental data. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Frontiers in Plasmonics and Metamaterials)

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267 KiB

Open AccessArticle

FDTD for Hydrodynamic Electron Fluid Maxwell Equations

by Yingxue Zhao and Jinjie Liu

Photonics 2015, 2(2), 459-467; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics2020459 - 6 May 2015

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5445

Abstract

In this work, we develop a numerical method for solving the three dimensional hydrodynamic electron fluid Maxwell equations that describe the electron gas dynamics driven by an external electromagnetic wave excitation. Our numerical approach is based on the Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) method for [...] Read more.

In this work, we develop a numerical method for solving the three dimensional hydrodynamic electron fluid Maxwell equations that describe the electron gas dynamics driven by an external electromagnetic wave excitation. Our numerical approach is based on the Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) method for solving the Maxwell’s equations and an explicit central finite difference method for solving the hydrodynamic electron fluid equations containing both electron density and current equations. Numerical results show good agreement with the experiment of studying the second-harmonic generation (SHG) from metallic split-ring resonator (SRR). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Frontiers in Plasmonics and Metamaterials)

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698 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dispersive Response of a Disordered Superconducting Quantum Metamaterial

by Dmitriy S. Shapiro, Pascal Macha, Alexey N. Rubtsov and Alexey V. Ustinov

Photonics 2015, 2(2), 449-458; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics2020449 - 27 Apr 2015

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 5526

Abstract

We consider a disordered quantum metamaterial formed by an array of superconducting flux qubits coupled to microwave photons in a cavity. We map the system on the Tavis-Cummings model accounting for the disorder in frequencies of the qubits. The complex transmittance is calculated [...] Read more.

We consider a disordered quantum metamaterial formed by an array of superconducting flux qubits coupled to microwave photons in a cavity. We map the system on the Tavis-Cummings model accounting for the disorder in frequencies of the qubits. The complex transmittance is calculated with the parameters taken from state-of-the-art experiments. We demonstrate that photon phase shift measurements allow to distinguish individual resonances in the metamaterial with up to 100 qubits, in spite of the decoherence spectral width being remarkably larger than the effective coupling constant. Our simulations are in agreement with the results of the recently reported experiment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Frontiers in Plasmonics and Metamaterials)

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553 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Demonstration of Luneburg Waveguides

by Vera N. Smolyaninova, David Lahneman, Todd Adams, Thomas Gresock, Kathryn Zander, Christopher Jensen and Igor I. Smolyaninov

Photonics 2015, 2(2), 440-448; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics2020440 - 20 Apr 2015

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5281

Abstract

Transformation optics gives rise to numerous unusual optical devices, such as novel metamaterial lenses and invisibility cloaks. Very recently, Mattheakis et al. (Luneburg lens waveguide networks. J. Opt. 2012, 14, 114006) have suggested theoretical design of an optical waveguide, based on [...] Read more.

Transformation optics gives rise to numerous unusual optical devices, such as novel metamaterial lenses and invisibility cloaks. Very recently, Mattheakis et al. (Luneburg lens waveguide networks. J. Opt. 2012, 14, 114006) have suggested theoretical design of an optical waveguide, based on a network of Luneburg lenses, which may be useful in sensing and nonlinear optics applications. Here, we report the first experimental realization of such Luneburg waveguides. We have studied wavelength and polarization dependent performance of the waveguides. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Frontiers in Plasmonics and Metamaterials)

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207 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Simple First-Principles Homogenization Theory for Chiral Metamaterials

by Carlo Rizza and Alessandro Ciattoni

Photonics 2015, 2(2), 365-374; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics2020365 - 9 Apr 2015

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4168

Abstract

We discuss a simple first-principles homogenization theory for describing, in the long-wavelength limit, the effective bianisotropic response of a periodic metamaterial composite without intrinsic chiral and magnetic inclusions. In the case where the dielectric contrast is low, we obtain a full analytical description [...] Read more.

We discuss a simple first-principles homogenization theory for describing, in the long-wavelength limit, the effective bianisotropic response of a periodic metamaterial composite without intrinsic chiral and magnetic inclusions. In the case where the dielectric contrast is low, we obtain a full analytical description which can be considered the extension of Landau-Lifshitz-Looyenga effective-medium formulation in the context of periodic metamaterials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Frontiers in Plasmonics and Metamaterials)

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322 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Electromagnetically Induced Transparency in Symmetric Planar Metamaterial at THz Wavelengths

by Abdelwaheb Ourir, Bruno Gallas, Loic Becerra, Julien De Rosny and Pierre Richard Dahoo

Photonics 2015, 2(1), 308-316; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics2010308 - 19 Mar 2015

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 6765

Abstract

We report the experimental observation and the evidence of the analogue of electromagnetically-induced transparency (EIT) in a symmetric planar metamaterial. This effect has been obtained in the THz range thanks to a destructive Fano-interference between the two first modes of an array of [...] Read more.

We report the experimental observation and the evidence of the analogue of electromagnetically-induced transparency (EIT) in a symmetric planar metamaterial. This effect has been obtained in the THz range thanks to a destructive Fano-interference between the two first modes of an array of multi-gap split ring resonators deposited on a silicon substrate. This structure is a planar thin film material with four-fold symmetry. Thanks to this property, a polarization-independent transmission has been achieved. The proposed metamaterial is well adapted to variety of slow-light applications in the infrared and optical range. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Frontiers in Plasmonics and Metamaterials)

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1850 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Periodic Arrays of Film-Coupled Cubic Nanoantennas as Tunable Plasmonic Metasurfaces

by Vassilios Yannopapas

Photonics 2015, 2(1), 270-278; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics2010270 - 9 Mar 2015

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5876

Abstract

We show theoretically that a two-dimensional periodic array of metallic nanocubes in close proximity to a metallic film acts as a metasurface with tunable absorbance. The presence of a metallic film underneath the array of plasmonic nanocubes leads to an impedance matched plasmonic [...] Read more.

We show theoretically that a two-dimensional periodic array of metallic nanocubes in close proximity to a metallic film acts as a metasurface with tunable absorbance. The presence of a metallic film underneath the array of plasmonic nanocubes leads to an impedance matched plasmonic metasurface enhancing up to 4 times the absorbance of incident radiation, in the spectral region below 500 nm. The absorbance spectrum is weakly dependent on the angle of incidence and state of polarization of incident light a functionality which can find application in thermo-photovoltaics. Our calculations are based on a hybrid layer-multiple-scattering (hLMS) method based on a discrete-dipole approximation (DDA)/T-matrix point matching method. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Frontiers in Plasmonics and Metamaterials)

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Review

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879 KiB

Open AccessReview

Optical Scattering Cancellation through Arrays of Plasmonic Nanoparticles: A Review

by Alessio Monti, Andrea Alù, Alessandro Toscano and Filiberto Bilotti

Photonics 2015, 2(2), 540-552; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics2020540 - 18 May 2015

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 6365

Abstract

In this contribution, we review and discuss our recent results on the design of optical scattering cancellation devices based on an array of plasmonic nanoparticles. Starting from two different analytical models available to describe its electromagnetic behavior, we show that a properly designed [...] Read more.

In this contribution, we review and discuss our recent results on the design of optical scattering cancellation devices based on an array of plasmonic nanoparticles. Starting from two different analytical models available to describe its electromagnetic behavior, we show that a properly designed array of plasmonic nanoparticles behaves both as an epsilon-near-zero metamaterial and as a reactive metasurface and, therefore, can be successfully used to reduce the optical scattering of a subwavelength object. Three different typologies of nanoparticle arrays are analyzed: spherical, core-shell, and ellipsoidal nanoparticles. We prove, both theoretically and through full-wave simulations, that such nanostructures can be successfully used as a cloaking device at ultraviolet and optical frequencies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Frontiers in Plasmonics and Metamaterials)

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