Bulletin of the American Physical Society
APS March Meeting 2011
Volume 56, Number 1
Monday–Friday, March 21–25, 2011; Dallas, Texas
Session A32: Focus Session: Optical Properties of Nanostructures and Metamaterials I |
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Sponsoring Units: DMP Chair: Niek van Hulst, Institute of Photonic Sciences, Spain Room: C144 |
Monday, March 21, 2011 8:00AM - 8:12AM |
A32.00001: Ultra-low Damping of Surface Plasmon Polaritons in Atomically Smooth Epitaxial Ag Films: An Extraordinary Optical Transmission Study Charlotte E. Sanders, B.H. Li, James McIlhargey, S. Hossein Mousavi, Alexander B. Khanikaev, X.G. Qiu, Gennady Shvets, C.K. Shih When an electro-magnetic radiation field couples strongly to surface plasmons, a surface plasmon polariton (SPP) is formed. In recent years, studies of SPPs in metal films perforated with hole lattices have revealed broad technological implications ranging from exotic metamaterials for sub-wavelength resolution microscopy to ultra-compact plasmonic waveguides for optical interconnects, as well as many other exciting technological applications. Thus far, most investigations have employed dielectric/metal hybrid structures with granular polycrystalline metal films. Although many conceptual devices have been demonstrated, one factor significantly limits their technological potential: the strong damping of SPP propagation. By using atomically smooth, epitaxial Ag films we show that such a damping effect can be mostly eliminated, resulting in nearly ideal extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) through sub-wavelength hole arrays in the mid-infrared range. This also allows us to map out very detailed SPP band structure, with analogy to the electronic band structure in solids. [Preview Abstract] |
Monday, March 21, 2011 8:12AM - 8:24AM |
A32.00002: Visualization of Coherent Processes in Plasmonic Interference Transparency Ziliang Ye, Shuang Zhang, Yuan Wang, Yong-Shik Park, Xiaobo Yin, Thomas Zentgraf, Guy Bartal, Xiang Zhang Recently, optical analogs that mimic the dynamics of atomic EIT are attracting attention since they could maintain coherence at room temperature and are easier to fabricate as well as to integrate. However, the understanding of the relationship between atomic EIT and its classical counterparts still remains on the spectroscopic level, which strongly limits the applicability of the analogy. As the coherent evolution of a quantum system is characterized by the oscillatory population transferring between the states, here, we map the coherent oscillation strength of a plamonic interference transparency (PIT) structure and show that there is a deeper resemblance embedded in the analogy: both systems are populated in the `dark' state at the transparency point. [Preview Abstract] |
Monday, March 21, 2011 8:24AM - 8:36AM |
A32.00003: Polarization-sensitive optical response of plasmonic metasurfaces Paul G. Thompson, Claudiu G. Biris, Edward J. Osley, Richard M. Osgood, Jr., Nicolae C. Panoiu, Paul A. Warburton We have fabricated arrays of nanoscale asymmetric cruciform apertures that support localized surface-plasmon polaritons (LSPPs) in the lower mid-infrared. The cruciform apertures were created by focussed ion beam milling into a gold film on a CaF$_2$ substrate. The measured transmission spectra of these arrays show two distinct maxima that correspond to the excitation of LSPPs, the magnitude of which can be tuned by varying the in-plane electric-field polarization of the incident photons. These findings are further validated by simulations based on the rigorous coupled-wave analysis method, namely, the maxima of the transmission spectra correspond to hybridized localized surface plasmon resonances in the two arms of the cruciform aperture. More generally speaking, it is demonstrated that the planar distribution of polarization-dependent LSPPs can be viewed to form a polarization-sensitive plasmonic metasurface. We will discuss possible applications of these plasmonic arrays in biosensing. [Preview Abstract] |
Monday, March 21, 2011 8:36AM - 9:12AM |
A32.00004: Designer plasmonic structures and metamaterials for subwavelength photonics Invited Speaker: Plasmonic structures and metamaterials have opened up new opportunities for manipulating light at subwavelength scales thus opening up new frontiers in optical materials design and photonics in such areas as imaging, sensing and new optical sources. In this talk I will present recent research from our group in this area. Through innovative use of plasmonic structures we have demonstrated how one can design the far field and near field of state of the art semiconductor lasers and optical fibers. Examples are plasmonic laser antennas creating ultrahigh intense near field nanospots in the near infrared, mid-infrared semiconductor lasers with very low divergence and control of polarization (linear/circular) as well as multibeam lasers. Metamaterials have created unique opportunities for nanophotonics. Recently we have shown that by patterning the facet of Terahertz quantum cascade lasers with subwavelength periodic structures one can dramatically modify the surface plasmon dispersion curve which leads to a highly collimated THz beam with divergence reduced from 180 deg to 5 deg. I will also discuss work on new clusters of colloidal core-shell metallic nanoparticles using self-assembly techniques. Magnetic activity in trimers at near infrared wavelengths and strikingly pronounced Fano-like resonances in heptamers are among the exciting new findings from light scattering experiments. Such building blocks are an important stepping stone towards novel designer metamaterials synthesized bottom up. Finally experiments with gold plasmonic nanocavity gratings have shown that the latter can dramatically enhance surface nonlinear optical processes. The four-wave mixing signal was enhanced by a factor up to 2000, two orders of magnitude higher than previously reported. [Preview Abstract] |
Monday, March 21, 2011 9:12AM - 9:24AM |
A32.00005: Experimental demonstration of gradient index plasmonics Maiken H. Mikkelsen, Thomas Zentgraf, Yongmin Liu, Jason Valentine, Xiang Zhang Plasmonics is an emerging field essential for bridging nanoelectronics and diffraction-limited photonics. One central objective of plasmonics research is modifying the propagation of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) in order to implement diverse functionalities in the context of two-dimensional optics. Here, we demonstrate an effective approach to manipulate SPPs by adiabatically tailoring the topology of a dielectric layer adjacent to a metal surface using grey-scale lithography. In such a way, we are able to continuously modify the propagation constant of SPPs, analogous to traditional gradient index optics. Applying this method, we design and experimentally demonstrate two different devices: a plasmonic Luneburg lens to focus SPPs and a plasmonic Eaton lens to bend SPPs.\footnote{T. Zentgraf*, Y. Liu*, M. H. Mikkelsen*, J. Valentine, X. Zhang, {\em Submitted}, (2010)} Our approach has the potential to achieve low-loss functional plasmonic elements and provides a scheme to realize more complex structures using transformation optics. [Preview Abstract] |
Monday, March 21, 2011 9:24AM - 9:36AM |
A32.00006: Propagation of surface plasmons on highly anisotropic dielectric substrates Nagaraj Nagaraj, Arkadii Krokhin We calculate the propagation length of surface plasmons in dielectric-metal-dielectric structures with anisotropic substrates. We show that the proper orientation of the optical axis of the crystal with respect to the metal surface minimizes Joule losses enhancing the propagation length of surface plasmons. The propagation length in a wide range of frequencies including the telecommunications region is analyzed. A simple Kronig-Penney model for anisotropic plasmonic crystal where the substrate is a periodic sequence of dielectric delta-peaks is also proposed. In this model the dispersion relation for surface plasmon has a band structure where the band width tends to zero when the frequency approaches the resonant frequency. [Preview Abstract] |
Monday, March 21, 2011 9:36AM - 9:48AM |
A32.00007: Metal-less Plasmonics: Surface Electromagnetic Waves in Dielectric Mulitlayers William Robertson The use of suitably designed dielectric multilayers is demonstrated as an alternative to metal films for the generation of surface-bound electromagnetic waves. The growing field of plasmonics invokes the sub-wavelength resolution, resonant optical coupling, and high surface fields of surface plasmons for applications such as high-resolution lithography, biosensing, optical circuits, and enhanced non-linear optic phenomena. Surface electromagnetic waves with characteristics similar to surface plasmons can be generated in dielectric multilayer stacks. The dielectric loss in multilayers is much less than for surface plasmons in metal films leading to sharper coupling resonances, higher surface fields, and longer propagation distances than for surface plasmons. These features are advantageous for current and projected applications in plasmonics. Additionally, the wavelength of coupling and the dispersion of the surface electromagnetic waves can be engineered by the multilayer design. Examples of the use of surface electromagnetic waves in multilayers for bio-sensing will be presented. [Preview Abstract] |
Monday, March 21, 2011 9:48AM - 10:00AM |
A32.00008: Dispersion and Mirage of Surface Plasmon Waves in Metallic Photonic Crystals Cheung Wai Chau, Yun San Chan, Ming Jie Zheng, Kin Wah Yu We have studied the dispersion and propagation of surface plasmon (SP) waves in a one-dimensional metallic photonic crystal composed of metal-dielectric multilayered films by a transfer matrix method. By virtue of Bloch theorem, we are able to obtain the dispersion (frequency-wavevector) relation for arbitrary oblique propagation of SP waves for various non-zero transverse wavevectors. Model calculations are performed for alternative gold and MgF$_2$ films to obtain the photonic band-gap structure. For a progressively decreasing gold film thickness, the band (gap) width increases (decreases), rendering a precise and feasible tunability of photonic band gaps. Moreover, by imposing a gradual variation in the thickness of dielectric along the multilayers, it is possible to alter the dispersion relation locally, allowing us to study the bending of SP wave at various incident angles. We use Hamiltonian optics approach to obtain the trajectories of propagation. As the transverse wavevector is a constant of motion for a certain incident angle, we obtain different mirage at various oblique incidence. The results are useful for achieving superbending of SP waves. [Preview Abstract] |
Monday, March 21, 2011 10:00AM - 10:12AM |
A32.00009: Plasmonic Forces in Nanoscale Metal Clusters Philip Batson, Alejandro Reyes-Coronado, Ruben Barrera, Pedro Echenique, Javier Aizpurua Passage of keV-energy electrons near nanometer-sized metal clusters is known to transfer energy from the electron to the clusters by excitation of surface plasmons. In groups of clusters, these plasmon modes couple, producing inter-cluster forces which favor coalescence. A single cluster is also expected to experience a smaller, attractive, force in the presence of a passing electron from simple image charge considerations. Detailed calculations that evaluate the Maxwell Force Tensor for plasmonic modes confirm this for large impact parameters, but for small impact parameters, comparable or less than the cluster diameter, the plasmonic force becomes repulsive. We have verified this behavior experimentally, using a sub-Angstrom electron beam at 120~KeV to move nano-scale Au clusters, discovering a weak attractive motion for large impact parameters and a stronger, repulsive motion for small impact parameters. We will present this finding and suggest physical reasons for this non-intuitive behavior. [Preview Abstract] |
Monday, March 21, 2011 10:12AM - 10:24AM |
A32.00010: Optical properties of subwavelength plasmonic structures Zhu Yongyuan Some recent progress achieved in our group will be reported here, focusing on the optical properties of subwavelength holes and metallic particles. By dressing the periodic holes with the metallic components, new transmission features, such as the enhanced transmission due to the magnetic resonance, the peak splitting due to the hole symmetry breaking etc. can be obtained. With the multilayer slit gratings, the transmission resonance associated with the longitudinal interference effect as well as the tuning of spectrum by the temperature control have been realized. In addition, the plasmon resonance of isolated gold nanorod particles and the plasmonic waveguiding using a linear chain of nanorod particles have been studied. In addition, due to the strong coupling between the incident light and vibrations of free electrons, a bulk polariton mode can be induced in a plasmonic crystal composed of gold nanorod particles. The fundamental equations governing the coupling have been developed and the long-wavelength optical properties of the crystal have been suggested. [Preview Abstract] |
Monday, March 21, 2011 10:24AM - 10:36AM |
A32.00011: Screening effect on the polaron by surface plasmons Xiaoying Xu, Xiaoshan Xu, Katyayani Seal, Hangwen Guo, Jian Shen Surface plasmons occur when the conduction electrons at a metal/dielectric interface resonantly interact with external electromagnetic fields. While surface plasmons in vicinity of a polaron in the dielectric material, a strong screening effect on polaron characteristics is introduced. In this work, we observed the reduction of polarons in multiferroic LuFe2O4, which is mainly contributed by surface plasmons. [Preview Abstract] |
Monday, March 21, 2011 10:36AM - 10:48AM |
A32.00012: Surface Plasmon Polaritons: Geometric Resonance at Singularities Yunshan Wang, Hsueh-Chia Chang Unlike planar plasmonic waves, the electric field of radially confined surface plasmon polariton (SPP) at a geometric singularity does not decay from the interface, but rather interacts around the singularity. A discrete SPP spectral theory for solid and hollow cones/wedges shows that the resulting azimuthal optical capacitor produces an infra-red shift of the classical planar plasmonic resonant frequency with a larger bandwidth at small angles. An analysis of the conformal map between the complex spectral space and the complex permittivity space shows the resonant SPPs can be sustained by materials with positive permittivity, although negative permittivity provides higher intensification. Asymptotic analysis of the SPP dispersion relationship also provides a closed-form estimate of the optimum angle due to enhanced conductive loss at small angles and also a prediction of optimal frequency. Experimental confirmation with transmission and scattering measurements will also be reported. [Preview Abstract] |
Monday, March 21, 2011 10:48AM - 11:00AM |
A32.00013: ABSTRACT WITHDRAWN |
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