Hybridization-induced resonances with high-quality factor in a plasmonic chipscale ring-disk nanocavity

Plasmonic resonators have drawn more attention due to the ability to confine light into subwavelength scale. However, they always suffer from a low-quality (Q) factor owing to the intrinsic loss of metal. Here, we numerically propose a plasmonic resonator with ultra-high Q factor based on plasmonic metal–insulator-metal (MIM) waveguide structures. The resonator consists of a disk cavity surrounded by a concentric ring cavity, possessing an ultra-small volume. Arising from the plasmon hybridization between plasmon modes in the disk and ring cavity, the induced bonding hybridized modes have an ultra-narrow full width at half maximum (FWHM) as well as ultra-high Q factors. The FWHM can be nearly 1 nm and Q factor can be more than 400. Furthermore, such a device can act as a refractive index sensor with an ultra-high figure of merit (FOM). This work provides a novel approach to design plasmonic high-Q-factor resonators and has potential on-chip applications such as filters, multi-spectral sensors and nanolasers

Achievements in the development of plasmonic waveguide sensors for measuring the refractive index

Оптические датчики широко используются в биомедицинской, химической и пищевой промышленности и обеспечивают высокую чувствительность к изменениям показателя преломления в окружающей среде благодаря специфическому распределению электромагнитного поля собственных мод (резонансных состояний). Чувствительность датчика сильно зависит от его материала и структуры. В этом обзоре мы сосредоточились на анализе кремниевых волноводов как перспективном компоненте миниатюризации оптических датчиков и плазмонных датчиках показателя преломления без флуоресцентной маркировки. Представлены новейшие разработки специальных типов плазмонных структур, таких как волноводы металл–изолятор–металл, и их применение в датчиках показателя преломления. Анализируются многочисленные типы плазмонных волноводов, их геометрические структуры, материалы и процессы изготовления, а также возможные энергетические потери. Важной частью обзора является обсуждение спектральных характеристик недавно предложенных датчиков показателя преломления с акцентом на их чувствительность и показатели качества.Обзор подготовлен в рамках выполнения гранта РФФИ № 19-17-50131-Экспансия и государственного задания ФНИЦ «Кристаллография и фотоника» РАН (соглашение № 007-ГЗ/Ч3363/26)

Design of Metal Insulator Metal based Square Ring Resonator Plasmonic Filter using Silica Slits for Dual Band Applications

890-893In this paper, Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) based dual-band plasmonic bandpass filters (BPF) with single and dual silica slits design and analysis is presented. The Square Ring Resonator (SRR) is coupled using Coupled feed line for dual-band operations. The coupled feed line is used for dual-band operating wavelengths, 1300 nm (230.6 THz) and 1600 nm (187.37 THz). Design and simulations are performed using complex electromagnetic simulatorknown as computer simulation technology (CST) microwave tool. The proposed filters are used for plasmonic single and dual-band bandpass filter (BPF) applications in photonic integrated circuits (PIC’s)

Plasmonics in Metal Insulator Cavities

Subwavelength multilayer metal-insulator nanostructures with tuneable resonances have been widely used for various applications in optoelectronics and photonics, due to their unique dispersion relation of the dielectric permittivity. In this thesis, we firstly studied the optical properties and the resonance modes of the metal/insulator/metal (MIM) metamaterial system by spectroscopic ellipsometry and COMSOL Multiphysics calculations based on finite element methods. Our calculation results show that MIM systems with vertical or lateral gratings can both support the multiple cavity modes that form the epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) resonance with an effective dielectric constant close to zero. Their large local density states are beneficial to the Purcell effect enhancement of the spontaneous emission. Moreover, the low-energy multi-cavity modes can be adjusted in the visible range via tuning the insulator thickness. The difference is that the MIM system with lateral grating leads to uncoupled multiple ENZ resonance, while the vertical grating MIM structure owns strongly coupled modes which form ENZ bands. To demonstrate the usefulness of the emission enhancement of MIM structures in practical applications, multilayer metal-insulator nanostructures are adopted to improve the spontaneous emission of the emitter. Herein, we explored the effects of interface modifications on the overall performance in perovskite LEDs. Firstly, we designed and optimized the flat perovskite LED (PeLED) through systematic analysis of the power loss channels based on the optical mode. All the theoretical analysis is carried out through finite element simulations. Under the assumption of efficient photon generation in the emitting layer with an internal quantum yield of 0.9, the effect of the dipole orientation is analyzed and then thickness of the charge injection and emitter layer was optimized. Finally, we tuned the transparent electrode thickness to get the maximum value of the external quantum efficiency. Moreover, we further studied the influence of interface modifications happening at the electron-transport interface on the whole performance of perovskite-based flat PeLEDs. Particularly, we explored the integrating of photonic structure, while keeping the optical property of the emitting material. Interesting, our calculations reveal that the specially designed nanopatterning can promote to improve the Purcell factor and the outcoupling efficiency, thereby enhance the external quantum efficiency, related to the nanopattern-free PeLED configuration. In particular, an average enhancement around 100% for the external quantum efficiency was achieved, and thus improving the radiative emission of the PeLED devices. These findings indicated that using morphological patterning to enhance LED performance is realistic method, similar to other light emission technologies. Finally, a nanoscale optical pressure/temperature nano sensor based on gap-plasmonic nanostructure, composing of the MIM nanopillar arrays covered by a metallic film, is proposed. The gap plasmon frequency is highly sensitive to the distance of the pillars to the Ag film, which allows optical sensing of pressure/ambient temperature/ refractive-index by variation in the colour of the device

A Review of 2D and 3D Plasmonic Nanostructure Array Patterns: Fabrication, Light Management and Sensing Applications

Abstract: This review article discusses progress in surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) chip-based nanostructure array patterns. Recent advancements in fabrication techniques for nano-arrays have endowed researchers with tools to explore a material’s plasmonic optical properties. In this review, fabrication techniques including electron-beam lithography, focused-ion lithography, dip-pen lithography, laser interference lithography, nanosphere lithography, nanoimprint lithography, and anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template-based lithography are introduced and discussed. Nano-arrays have gained increased attention because of their optical property dependency (lightmatter interactions) on size, shape, and periodicity. In particular, nano-array architectures can be tailored to produce and tune plasmonic modes such as localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), surface plasmon polariton (SPP), extraordinary transmission, surface lattice resonance (SLR), Fano resonance, plasmonic whisperinggallery modes (WGMs), and plasmonic gap mode. Thus, light management (absorption, scattering, transmission, and guided wave propagation), as well as electromagnetic (EM) field enhancement, can be controlled by rational design and fabrication of plasmonic nano-arrays. Because of their optical properties, these plasmonic modes can be utilized for designing plasmonic sensors and surfaceenhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensors

NanoPhotonic structures for biosensing applications

Photonics -“ science of optics“ - has become one of the emerging sciences in many applications nowadays. The study of light interaction with matter has opened a lot of interesting phenomena that differ in their applications including sensing, modulation, demultiplexing, etc. Sensing applications represent a major part in the photonics field owing to their crucial role in the detecting and diagnosis of diseases in many medical applications. On the other hand, gas sensing is considered an important application in many industrial centers. During the manufacturing of several products, toxic gases may be generated and hence the ability to detect such types of gases becomes a necessity. The first part of this thesis is concerned with sensing applications using plasmonic and photonic structures. Several plasmonic and photonic structures are proposed that are characterized by their ultimate sensitivity and high performance. Other parameters are taken into consideration like the CMOS compatibility of our design and the possibility of being integrated with electronic chips. Beside optical sensing and their important role in biomedical and environmental applications, optical demultiplexers are considered from the main blocks in different communication systems that are based on wavelength division multiplexing (WDM). The need to highly select certain wavelength to carry the data during transmission is increasing. In the second part of the thesis, the design methodology of an optical filter is discussed. The optical filter can fit into many applications including demultiplexing and sensing. An optical demultiplexer is proposed and characterized by its high selectivity of wavelength in the near-infrared range to fit with the telecommunication systems. In addition, the transmission levels are of an acceptable range to ensure high signal to noise ratio. 9 The third and the last part of the thesis is concerned with optical coupling from free-space to guided structures. In the last part, an optical grating coupler is proposed that is characterized by its high transmission levels. The grating coupler couples the light from free-space to a shallow waveguide with a narrow lateral dimension. Such system can fit in many applications including sensing and modulation applications

Coupling phenomena and collective effects in resonant meta-molecules supporting plasmonic and magnetic functionalities: a review

We review both the fundamental aspects and the applications of functional magneto-optic and opto-magnetic metamaterials displaying collective and coupling effects on the nanoscale, where the concepts of optics and magnetism merge to produce unconventional phenomena. The use of magnetic materials instead of the usual noble metals allows for an additional degree of freedom for the control of electromagnetic field properties, as well as it allows light to interact with the spins of the electrons and to actively manipulate the magnetic properties of such nanomaterials. In this context, we explore the concepts of near-field coupling of plasmon modes in magnetic meta-molecules, as well as the effect of excitation of surface lattice resonances in magneto-plasmonic crystals. Moreover, we discuss how these coupling effects can be exploited to artificially enhance optical magnetism in plasmonic meta-molecules and crystals. Finally, we highlight some of the present challenges and provide a perspective on future directions of the research towards photon-driven fast and efficient nanotechnologies bridging magnetism and optics beyond current limits

A Controllable Plasmonic Resonance in a SiC-Loaded Single-Polarization Single-Mode Photonic Crystal Fiber Enables Its Application as a Compact LWIR Environmental Sensor.

Near-perfect resonant absorption is attained in a single-polarization single-mode photonic crystal fiber (SPSM PCF) within the long-wave infrared (LWIR) range from 10 to 11 μm. The basic PCF design is a triangular lattice-based cladding of circular air holes and a core region augmented with rectangular slots. A particular set of air holes surrounding the core is partially filled with SiC, which exhibits epsilon near-zero (ENZ) and epsilon negative (ENG) properties within the wavelength range of interest. By tuning the configuration to have the fields of the unwanted fundamental and all higher order modes significantly overlap with the very lossy ENG rings, while the wanted fundamental propagating mode is concentrated in the core, the SPSM outcome is realized. Moreover, a strong plasmonic resonance is attained by adjusting the radii of the resulting cylindrical core-shell structures. The cause of the resonance is carefully investigated and confirmed. The resonance wavelength is shown to finely shift, depending on the relative permittivity of any material introduced into the PCF's air holes, e.g., by flowing a liquid or gas in them. The potential of this plasmonic-based PCF structure as a very sensitive, short length LWIR spectrometer is demonstrated with an environmental monitoring application

On-chip optical sensors

Adding more functionality to chips is an important trend in the advancement of technology. During the past couple of decades, integrated circuit developments have focused on keeping Moore\u27s Law alive More of Moore . Moore\u27s law predicts the doubling of the number of transistors on an integrated circuit every year. My research objectives revolve around More than Moore , where different functionalities are sought to be integrated on chip. Sensing in particular is becoming of paramount importance in a variety of applications. Booming healthcare costs can be reduced with early diagnosis, which requires improved sensitivity and lower cost. To halt global warming, environmental monitoring requires miniature gas sensors that are cheap enough to be deployed at mass scale. First, we explore a novel silicon waveguide platform that is expected to perform well as a sensor in comparison to the conventional 220 nm thick waveguide. 50 and 70 nm shallow silicon waveguides have the advantage of easier lithography than conventional 220 nm thick waveguides due to the large minimum feature size required of 1 µm. 1 µm wide waveguides in these shallow platforms are single mode. A multi-mode interference device is designed in this platform to function as the smallest MMI sensor, giving sensitivity of 427 nm / refractive index unit (RIU) at a length of 4 mm. The silicon photonic MMI sensor is based on detecting refractive index changes. Refractometric techniques such as the MMI sensor require surface functionalization to achieve selectivity or specificity. Spectroscopic methods, usually reserved for material characterization in a research setting, can be adapted for highly specific label-free sensing. Chapter 4 explores the use of a highly doped III-V semiconductor for on chip infrared spectroscopy. Finite element method and finite different time domain were both used to design a plasmonic slot waveguide for gas sensing. On chip lasers and detectors have been designed using InAs. While InAs is still considered more expensive than silicon, the electronics industry expects to start incorporating more materials in standard fabrication processes, including III-V semiconductors for their superior properties including mobility. Thus, experimental realization of this sensor is feasible. A drawback with infrared spectroscopy is that it is difficult to use with biological fluids. Chapter 5 explores the use of Raman spectroscopy as a sensing method. To adapt Raman spectroscopy for sensing, the most important task is to enhance the Raman signal. The way the Raman signal is generated means that the number of photons is generally very low and usually bulk material or concentrated fluids are used as samples. To measure low concentrations of a probe molecule, the probe molecule is placed on a surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate. A typical SERS substrate is composed of metal nanostructures for their surface plasmon resonance property, which causes a large amplification in the electric field in particular hot spots. By decorated silicon nanowires with silver nanoparticles, an enhancement factor of 1011 was realized and picomolar concentrations of pyridine were detected using Raman spectroscopy. In conclusion, this thesis provides new concepts and foundations in three directions that are all important for on chip optical sensing. First, silicon photonics is the technology of choice that is nearest to the market and a multi-mode interference sensor based on shallow silicon waveguides was designed. Further work can explore how to cascade such MMIs to increase sensitivity without sacrificing the free spectral range. Second, infrared plasmonics is a promising technology. Before semiconductor plasmonics, on chip devices operated in the visible or near IR and then microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum. By using highly doped semiconductors, it is possible to bridge the gap and operate with mid-infrared wavelengths. The implications are highlighted by designing a waveguide platform that can be used for next generation on chip infrared spectroscopy. Third, Raman spectroscopy was exploited as a sensing technique by experimental realization of a SERS substrate using equipment-free fabrication methods