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16 pages, 4403 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Plasmonic Au and Ag/Au Nanoparticles and Sodium Citrate on the Optical Properties of Chitin-Based Photonic Nanoarchitectures in Butterfly Wing Scales

by Krisztián Kertész, Gábor Piszter, Zsolt Endre Horváth, Dániel Zámbó, András Deák and László Péter Biró

Photonics 2022, 9(8), 553; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics9080553 - 6 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2985

Abstract

Porous butterfly wings with hierarchically organized structures from nanometer to centimeter scales were tested as substrates for carrying plasmonic Au and Ag/Au nanoparticles with potential application in photocatalysis. Wings exhibiting structural color generated by chitin-air nanocomposites were used. Hundreds of butterfly species possess [...] Read more.

Porous butterfly wings with hierarchically organized structures from nanometer to centimeter scales were tested as substrates for carrying plasmonic Au and Ag/Au nanoparticles with potential application in photocatalysis. Wings exhibiting structural color generated by chitin-air nanocomposites were used. Hundreds of butterfly species possess these types of color-generating photonic nanoarchitectures, producing color by a similar mechanism to manmade photonic crystals. Artificial photonic crystals are known to enhance photocatalytic processes through the slow light effect. The impact of pure water, water-based sodium citrate solution, and Au and Ag/Au alloy nanoparticles on the optical properties of the natural photonic structures were separated. While water and aqueous sodium citrate solutions change the wing reflectance by the alteration of the wing scale position with respect to the wing plane, Au and Ag/Au alloy nanoparticles form a new, hybrid nanostructure with the chitin nanoarchitecture modifying the structural color of the butterfly wings. The optical properties of the new types of hybrid photonic nanoarchitectures (consisting of butterfly wings and plasmonic nanoparticles) are different from those of the components. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced/Novel Photonics Nanostructures)

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7 pages, 1975 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nano-Photonic Metrics: Fundamentals and Experimental Demonstration

by Takuro Ohteki, Shun-ichi Sakai and Naoya Tate

Photonics 2022, 9(8), 551; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics9080551 - 6 Aug 2022

Viewed by 1595

Abstract

As the popularity of Internet of Things (IoT) increases, there is a considerable demand for the improvement of physical security, owing to the increase in edge devices. However, fabrication and measurement techniques used by attackers are also improving continuously, and hence, it is [...] Read more.

As the popularity of Internet of Things (IoT) increases, there is a considerable demand for the improvement of physical security, owing to the increase in edge devices. However, fabrication and measurement techniques used by attackers are also improving continuously, and hence, it is becoming increasingly difficult to ensure the security of each device using conventional approaches. To counter variable attacks in this context, the concept of nano-photonic metrics has been proposed, which is based on a functional collaboration between existing physical security and near-field optical techniques. In this approach, the optical signals obtained from optical near-field interactions, which are induced between the target with nano-scale structures and the tip of the scanning probe as the reader, are defined as the unique features of each device to be authenticated. When attackers attempt spoofing, they must fabricate not only clones of original nano-scale structures but also the scanning probe; otherwise, they cannot impersonate regular users. Moreover, the estimation of the nano-scale structures of the target and the characteristics of the probe is typically a complex, inverse problem. Therefore, a novel authentication is expected to be performed. In this paper, we report the results of the quantitative evaluations of the performance from the viewpoint of physical security and the experimental verification of the practicality of the proposed approach. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced/Novel Photonics Nanostructures)

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13 pages, 2034 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Molybdenum Oxide Functional Passivation of Aluminum Dimers for Enhancing Optical-Field and Environmental Stability

by Daniela Lorenzo, Fabrizio Riminucci, Mariachiara Manoccio, Gianluca Balestra, Daniela Simeone, David Maria Tobaldi, Marco Esposito, Adriana Passaseo, Vittorianna Tasco and Massimo Cuscunà

Photonics 2022, 9(8), 523; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics9080523 - 28 Jul 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1608

Abstract

In this contribution, we present an experimental and numerical study on the coating of Al plasmonic nanostructures through a conformal layer of high-refractive-index molybdenum oxide. The investigated structures are closely coupled nanodisks where we observe that the effect of the thin coating is [...] Read more.

In this contribution, we present an experimental and numerical study on the coating of Al plasmonic nanostructures through a conformal layer of high-refractive-index molybdenum oxide. The investigated structures are closely coupled nanodisks where we observe that the effect of the thin coating is to help gap narrowing down to the sub-5-nm range, where a large electromagnetic field enhancement and confinement can be achieved. The solution represents an alternative to more complex and challenging lithographic approaches, and results are also advantageous for enhancing the long-term stability of aluminum nanostructures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced/Novel Photonics Nanostructures)

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10 pages, 3409 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Toroidal Dipole Excitation in Metamaterial Perfect Absorber Consisting of Dielectric Nanodisks Quadrumer Clusters and Spacer on Metal Substrate

by Yuepei Cai, Yong Huang and Keyong Zhu

Photonics 2022, 9(7), 462; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics9070462 - 30 Jun 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1652

Abstract

We proposed an infrared narrowband metamaterial perfect absorber (MPA) which is induced by toroidal dipole resonance in a dielectric-metal hybrid system. The MPA is composed of amorphous-silicon (a-Si) nanodisk quadrumer clusters, dielectric spacer, and Au substrate, where the dielectric spacer is inserted between [...] Read more.

We proposed an infrared narrowband metamaterial perfect absorber (MPA) which is induced by toroidal dipole resonance in a dielectric-metal hybrid system. The MPA is composed of amorphous-silicon (a-Si) nanodisk quadrumer clusters, dielectric spacer, and Au substrate, where the dielectric spacer is inserted between Si disk quadrumer and Au substrate. Near field distribution and multipole decomposition of far-field, scattering powers show that toroidal dipole mode is formed by opposite phase magnetic dipoles in neighboring Si nanodisks. The effects of geometric and material parameters on absorption characteristics were explored. The sensing performance of the MPA was also evaluated. The proposed MPA has potential applications in air sensing applications. Since the nanodisks quadrumer of the MPA retains C_4v symmetry, perfect absorption band is polarization independent. Furthermore, the absorption quality factor of the hybrid dielectric-metal hybrid absorber is higher than that of all-metal perfect absorbers, thanks to the low loss feature of the dielectric resonator. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced/Novel Photonics Nanostructures)

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9 pages, 2433 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Inter-Cavity Coupling Strength Control in Metal/Insulator Multilayers for Hydrogen Sensing

by Vincenzo Caligiuri and Antonio De Luca

Photonics 2021, 8(12), 537; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics8120537 - 27 Nov 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1515

Abstract

Hydrogen (H₂) sensing is crucial for modern energy storage technology, which looks to hydrogen as the most promising alternative to fossil fuels. In this respect, magnesium (Mg) offers unique possibilities, since magnesium and hydrogen easily undergo a reversible hydrogenation reaction where [...] Read more.

Hydrogen (H₂) sensing is crucial for modern energy storage technology, which looks to hydrogen as the most promising alternative to fossil fuels. In this respect, magnesium (Mg) offers unique possibilities, since magnesium and hydrogen easily undergo a reversible hydrogenation reaction where Mg reversibly converts into MgH₂. From an optical point of view, this process produces an abrupt refractive index change, which can be exploited for sensing applications. To maximize this opportunity, we envision an architecture composed of two Ag/ITO/Mg metal/dielectric resonators facing each other and displaced by 200 nm of vacuum. This structure forms a so-called Epsilon-Near-Zero (ENZ) multi-cavity resonator, in which the two internal Mg layers, used as tunneling coupling metals, are accessible to environmental agents. We demonstrate that the hydrogenation of the two Mg layers leads to substantial changes in the strong coupling between the cavities composing the entire resonator, with a consequent abrupt modification of the spectral response, thus enabling the sensing mechanism. One of the main advantages of the proposed system with respect to previous research is that the proposed multilayered architecture avoids the need for lithographic processes. This feature makes the proposed architecture inexpensive and wafer-to-chip scalable, considering that each kind of substrate from common glass to silicon can be used. Therefore, our sensing architecture offers great promise for applications in embedded H₂ sensors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced/Novel Photonics Nanostructures)

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9 pages, 1925 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Single-Photon Emission by the Plasmon-Induced Transparency Effect in Coupled Plasmonic Resonators

by Wei Wei, Qi Liu, Xia Zhang and Xin Yan

Photonics 2021, 8(6), 188; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics8060188 - 26 May 2021

Viewed by 2220

Abstract

The plasmon-induced transparency (PIT) effect with unique spectrum transmission characteristics is a significant property of plasmonic structures. A resonant nanocavity with nanoscale dimensions around a single-photon emitter dramatically enhances the emission rate of the emitter. Thus, we propose detuned resonant nanocavities to manipulate [...] Read more.

The plasmon-induced transparency (PIT) effect with unique spectrum transmission characteristics is a significant property of plasmonic structures. A resonant nanocavity with nanoscale dimensions around a single-photon emitter dramatically enhances the emission rate of the emitter. Thus, we propose detuned resonant nanocavities to manipulate the emission rate of the emitter inside, of which either cell consists of a rectangular resonator surrounded by a U-like resonator. An InGaAs quantum dot in a GaAs nanowire placed in the center of the detuned resonant nanocavity was employed as a single-photon emitter. The finite-difference time domain simulation revealed that the distribution of the electromagnetic field can be affected by changing the coupling intensity between the bright and dark states of the PIT. Consequently, the emission rate of the single-photon emitter was dramatically enhanced by more than 2000 times due to the Purcell effect induced by the PIT in the resonant cavity. With the achievement of an ultrafast single-photon emission rate, the proposed single-photon emitter could have diverse applications in quantum information and quantum communications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced/Novel Photonics Nanostructures)

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9 pages, 1810 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Femtosecond Laser Fabrication of Hybrid Metal-Dielectric Structures with Nonlinear Photoluminescence

by Ekaterina Ponkratova, Eduard Ageev, Filipp Komissarenko, Sergei Koromyslov, Dmitry Kudryashov, Ivan Mukhin, Vadim Veiko, Aleksandr Kuchmizhak and Dmitry Zuev

Photonics 2021, 8(4), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics8040121 - 13 Apr 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2558

Abstract

Fabrication of hybrid micro- and nanostructures with a strong nonlinear response is challenging and represents a great interest due to a wide range of photonic applications. Usually, such structures are produced by quite complicated and time-consuming techniques. This work demonstrates laser-induced hybrid metal-dielectric [...] Read more.

Fabrication of hybrid micro- and nanostructures with a strong nonlinear response is challenging and represents a great interest due to a wide range of photonic applications. Usually, such structures are produced by quite complicated and time-consuming techniques. This work demonstrates laser-induced hybrid metal-dielectric structures with strong nonlinear properties obtained by a single-step fabrication process. We determine the influence of several incident femtosecond pulses on the Au/Si bi-layer film on produced structure morphology. The created hybrid systems represent isolated nanoparticles with a height of 250–500 nm exceeding the total thickness of the Au-Si bi-layer. It is shown that fabricated hybrid nanostructures demonstrate enhancement of the SHG signal (up to two orders of magnitude) compared to the initial planar sample and a broadband photoluminescence signal (more than 200 nm in width) in the visible spectral region. We establish the correlation between nonlinear signal and phase composition provided by Raman scattering measurements. Such laser-induced structures have significant potential in optical sensing applications and can be used as components for different nanophotonic devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced/Novel Photonics Nanostructures)

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Review

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26 pages, 4803 KiB

Open AccessReview

Envisioning Quantum Electrodynamic Frameworks Based on Bio-Photonic Cavities

by Vincenzo Caligiuri, Francesca Leone, Ferdinanda Annesi, Alfredo Pane, Roberto Bartolino and Antonio De Luca

Photonics 2021, 8(11), 470; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics8110470 - 23 Oct 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3513

Abstract

A bio-photonic cavity quantum electrodynamic (C-QED) framework could be imagined as a system in which both the “cavity” and the “atom” participating in the light-matter interaction scenario are bio-inspired. Can a cavity be made of a bio-polymer? If so, how should such a [...] Read more.

A bio-photonic cavity quantum electrodynamic (C-QED) framework could be imagined as a system in which both the “cavity” and the “atom” participating in the light-matter interaction scenario are bio-inspired. Can a cavity be made of a bio-polymer? If so, how should such a cavity appear and what are the best polymers to fabricate it? Can a bioluminescent material stand the comparison with new-fashion semiconductors? In this review we answer these fundamental questions to pave the way toward an eco-friendly paradigm, in which the ever-increasing demand for more performing quantum photonics technologies meets the ever-increasing yet silent demand of our planet to reduce our environmental footprint. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced/Novel Photonics Nanostructures)

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