Negative superluminal velocity and violation of Kramers-Kronig relations in "causal" optical setups

We investigate nonanalyticities (e.g., zeros and poles) of refractive index $n(\omega)$ and group index $n_g(\omega)$ in different optical setups. We first demonstrate that: while a Lorentzian dielectric has no nonanalyticity in the upper half of the complex frequency plane (CFP), its group index -- which governs the pulse-center propagation -- violates the Kramers-Kronig relations (KKRs). Thus, we classify the nonanalyticities as in the (a) first-order (refractive index or reflection) and (b) second-order (group index or group delay). The latter contains the derivative of the former. Then, we study a possible connection between the negative superluminal velocities and the presence of nonanalyticities in the upper half of the CFP. We show that presence of nonanalyticities in the upper half of the CFP for (a) the first-order response and (b) the second-order response are accompanied by the appearance of negative (a) phase velocity and (b) group velocity, respectively. We also distinguish between two kinds of superluminosity, $v>c$ and $v<0$, where we show that the second one ($v<0$) appears with the violation of KKRs

Nonclassicality and entanglement for wavepackets

Mode-entanglement based criteria and measures become insufficient for broadband emission, e.g. from spasers (plasmonic nano-lasers). We introduce criteria and measures for the (i) total entanglement of two wavepackets, (ii) entanglement of a wavepacket with an ensemble and (iii) total nonclassicality of a wavepacket~(WP). We discuss these criteria in the context of (i) entanglement of two WPs emitted from two initially entangled cavities (or two initially entangled atoms) and (ii) entanglement of an emitted WP with the ensemble/atom for the spontaneous emission and the single-photon superradiance. We also show that, (iii) when the two constituent modes of a WP are entangled, this creates nonclassicality in the WP as a noise reduction below the standard quantum limit. The criteria we introduce are, all, compatible with near-field detectors

All-Optical Control of Ultrafast Plasmon Resonances in the Pulse-Driven Extraordinary Optical Transmission

Understanding the ultrafast processes at their natural-time scale is crucial for controlling and manipulating nanoscale optoelectronic devices under light-matter interaction. Here, we demonstrate that ultrafast plasmon resonances, attributed to the phenomenon of Extraordinary Optical Transmission (EOT), can be significantly modified by tuning the spectral and temporal properties of the ultrashort light pulse. In this scheme, all-optical active tuning governs spatial and temporal enhancement of plasmon oscillations in the EOT system without device customization. We analyze the spectral and temporal evolution of the system through two approaches. First, we develop a theoretical framework based on the coupled harmonic oscillator model, which analytically describes the dynamics of plasmon modes in the coupled and uncoupled state. Later, we compare the evolution of the system under continuous wave and pulsed illumination. Further, we discuss time-resolved spectral and spatial dynamics of plasmon modes through 3D-FDTD simulation method and wavelet transform. Our results show that optical tuning of oscillation time, intensity, and spectral properties of propagating and localized plasmon modes yields a 3-fold enhancement in the EOT signal. The active tuning of the EOT sensor through ultrashort light pulses pave the way for the development of on-chip photonic devices employing high-resolution imaging and sensing of abundant atomic and molecular systems

Controlling steady-state second harmonic signal via linear and nonlinear Fano resonances

Nonlinear signal even from a single molecule becomes visible at hot spots of plasmonic nanoparticles. In these structures, Fano resonances can control the nonlinear response in two ways. \textit{(i)} A linear Fano resonance can enhance the hot spot field, resulting enhanced nonlinear signal. \textit{(ii)} A nonlinear Fano resonance can enhance the nonlinear signal without enhancing the hot spot. In this study, we compare the enhancement of second harmonic signal at the steady-state obtained via these two methods. Since we are interested in the steady-state signal, we adapt a linear enhancement which works at the steady-state. This is different than the dark-hot resonances that appears in the transparency window due to enhanced plasmon lifetime

Voltage-controlled extraordinary optical transmission in the visible regime

Control of components in integrated photonic circuits is crucial in achieving programmable devices. Operation bandwidth of a plasmonic device cannot be generally tuned once it is manufactured, especially in the visible regime. Here, we demonstrate the electrical control of such a device for extraordinary optical transmission~(EOT) in the visible regime. (i) Operation frequency of the EOT device can be tuned via a bias voltage applied through nanowires. (ii) Or, at a given frequency, the EOT signal (normalized to the incident field) can be tuned continuously, e.g., between $10^{-4}$ and $0.4$. This corresponds to a 3-orders of magnitude modulation depth. We utilize Fano resonances induced by a quantum emitter~(QE) that is embedded into the nanoholes. The external bias-voltage tunes QE's resonance. We also discuss the lifetime extensions of surface plasmon polaritons as a response to an ultra-short optical pulse. Our proposed method provides the active electronic control of EOT signal which makes it a feasible and compact element in integrated photonic circuits, for bio-sensing, high resolution imaging, and molecular spectroscopy applications

On-demand continuous-variable quantum entanglement source for integrated circuits

Integration of devices generating nonclassical states~(such as entanglement) into photonic circuits is one of the major goals in achieving integrated quantum circuits~(IQCs). This is demonstrated successfully in recent decades. Controlling the nonclassicality generation in these micron-scale devices is also crucial for the robust operation of the IQCs. Here, we propose a micron-scale quantum entanglement device whose nonlinearity (so the generated nonclassicality) can be tuned by several orders of magnitude via an \textit{applied voltage} without altering the linear response. Quantum emitters~(QEs), whose level-spacing can be tuned by voltage, are embedded into the hotspot of a metal nanostructure~(MNS). QE-MNS coupling introduces a Fano resonance in the ``nonlinear response''. Nonlinearity, already enhanced extremely due to localization, can be controlled by the QEs' level-spacing. Nonlinearity can either be suppressed (also when the probe is on the device) or be further enhanced by several orders. Fano resonance takes place in a relatively narrow frequency window so that $\sim$meV voltage-tunability for QEs becomes sufficient for a \textit{continuous} turning on/off of the nonclassicality. This provides as much as 5 orders of magnitude modulation depths

Single-molecule-resolution ultrafast near-field optical microscopy via plasmon lifetime extension

A recent study shows that: when a long lifetime particle is positioned near a plasmonic metal nanoparticle, lifetime of plasmon oscillations extends, but, "only" near that long-life particle [PRB 101, 035416 (2020)]. Here, we show that this phenomenon can be utilized for ultrahigh (single-molecule) resolution ultrafast apertureless (scattering) SNOM applications. We use the exact solutions of 3D Maxwell equations. We illuminate a metal-coated silicon tip, a quantum emitter (QE) placed on the tip apex, with a femtosecond laser. The induced near-field in the apex decays rapidly except in the vicinity of the sub-nm-sized QE. Thus, the resolution becomes solely limited by the size of the QE. As positioning of a QE on the tip apex is challenging, we propose the use of a newly-discovered phenomenon; stress-induced defect formation in 2D materials. When a monolayer, e.g., transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) is transferred to the AFM tip, the tip indentation of 2D TMD originates a defect-center located right at the sharpest point of the tip; that is exactly at its apex. Moreover, the resonance of the defect is tunable via a voltage applied to the tip. Our method can equally be used for background-noise-free nonlinear imaging and for facilitating single-molecule-size chemical manipulation

Fano enhancement of SERS signal without increasing the hot spot intensity

Plasmonic nanostructures enhance nonlinear response, such as surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), by localizing the incident field into hot spots. The localized hot spot field can be enhanced even further when linear Fano resonances (FR) take place in a double resonance scheme. However, hot spot enhancement is limited with the modification of the vibrational modes, the break-down of the molecule and the tunnelling regime. Here, we present a method which can circumvent these limitations. Our analytical model and solutions of 3D Maxwell equations show that: enhancement due to the localized field can be multiplied by a factor of $10^2$ to $10^3$. Moreover, this can be performed without increasing the hot spot intensity which also avoids the modification of the Raman modes. Unlike linear Fano resonances, we create a path interference in the nonlinear response. We demonstrate on a single equation that enhancement takes place due to cancellation of the contributing terms in the denominator of the SERS response

Ultra-large actively tunable photonic band gaps via plasmon-analog of index enhancement

We present a novel method for active continuous-tuning of a band gap which has a great potential to revolutionize current photonic technologies. We study a periodic structure of x and y-aligned nanorod dimers. Refractive index of a y-polarized probe pulse can be continuously-tuned by the intensity of an x-polarized auxiliary (pump) pulse. Order of magnitude index-tuning can be achieved with a vanishing loss using the plasmon-analog of refractive index enhancement [Phys. Rev. B 100, 075427 (2019)]. Thus, a large band gap can be created from a non-existing gap via the auxiliary pulse. We also present a "proof of principle" demonstration of the phenomenon using numerical solutions of Maxwell equations. The new method, working for any crystal dimensions, can also be utilized as a linear photonic switch operating at tens of femtoseconds

Silent-enhancement of multiple Raman modes via tuning optical properties of graphene nanostructures

Raman scattering signal can be enhanced through localization of incident field into sub-wavelength hot-spots through plasmonic nano-structures (Surface-enhanced Raman scattering-SERS). Recently, further enhancement of SERS signal via quantum objects are proposed by [1] without increasing the hot-spot intensity (\textit{silent-enhancement}) where this suggestion prevents the modification of vibrational modes or the breakdown of molecules. The method utilizes path interference in the non-linear response of Stokes-shifted Raman modes. In this work, we extend this phenomenon to tune the spectral position of \textit{silent-enhancement} factor where the multiple vibrational modes can be detected with a better signal-to-noise ratio, simultaneously. This can be achieved in two different schemes by employing either (i) graphene structures with quantum emitters or (ii) replacing quantum emitters with graphene spherical nano-shell in \cite{Postaci2018}. In addition, the latter system is exactly solvable in the steady-state. These suggestions not only preserve conventional non-linear Raman processes but also provide flexibility to enhance (silently) multiple vibrational Raman modes due to the tunable optical properties of graphene