Surface Plasmon Polariton microscope with Parabolic Reflectors

We report the realization of a two--dimensional optical microscope for surface plasmons polaritons (SPPs) based on parabolic Bragg mirrors. These mirrors are built from lithographically fabricated gold nanostructures on gold thin films. We show by direct imaging by leakage radiation microscopy that the magnification power of the SPP microscope follows basic predictions of geometrical optics. Spatial resolution down to the value set by the diffraction limit is demonstrated.Comment: Opt.Lett.32, 2414 (2007

Plasmonic crystal demultiplexer and multiports

Artificially built periodic optical structures in dielectric and metallic media have generated considerable interest due to their potential for optical device miniaturization. In this context plasmonics, i.e., optics based on surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) offers new exciting prospects. SPPs are hybrid light/electron surface waves at the interface between a dielectric and a metal and as such hold the potential for 2D optical functionality. Indeed, SPP elements as mirrors, splitters and interferometers have been recently demonstrated. However, for plasmonics to qualify at the information technology level requires necessarily the realization of wavelength division (demultiplexing) which constitutes a fundamental ingredient of optical communication. In the following we experimentally demonstrate 2D SPP demultiplexing in the visible spectral range by using photonic crystals for SPPs (plasmonic crystals). In addition, we demonstrate that plasmonic crystal are capable of realizing integrated linear multiports which could constitute building blocks of analog or quantum optical computing.Comment: Nano Lett.7, 1697 (2007

A mechanical analog of quantum bradyons and tachyons

We present a mechanical analog of a quantum wave-particle duality: a vibrating string threaded through a freely moving bead or `masslet'. For small string amplitudes, the particle movement is governed by a set of non-linear dynamical equations that couple the wave field to the masslet dynamics. Under specific conditions, the particle achieves a regime of {\it transparency} in which the field and the particle's dynamics appear decoupled. In that special case, the particle conserves its momentum and a guiding wave obeying a Klein-Gordon equation, with real or imaginary mass, emerges. Similar to the double-solution theory of de Broglie, this guiding wave is locked in phase with a modulating group-wave co-moving with the particle. Interestingly, both subsonic and supersonic particles can fall into a quantum regime as with the slower-than-light bradyons and hypothetical, faster-than-light tachyons of particle physics.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures, 1 video (Supp. Mat

Experimental demonstration of random walk by probability chaos using single photons

In our former work (Sci. Rep. 4: 6039, 2014), we theoretically and numerically demonstrated that chaotic oscillation can be induced in a nanoscale system consisting of quantum dots between which energy transfer occurs via optical near-field interactions. Furthermore, in addition to the nanoscale implementation of oscillators, it is intriguing that the chaotic behavior is associated with probability derived via a density matrix formalism. Indeed, in our previous work (Sci. Rep. 6: 38634, 2016) we examined such oscillating probabilities via diffusivity analysis by constructing random walkers driven by chaotically driven bias. In this study, we experimentally implemented the concept of probability chaos using a single-photon source that was chaotically modulated by an external electro-optical modulator that directly yielded random walkers via single-photon observations after a polarization beam splitter. An evident signature was observed in the resulting ensemble average of the time-averaged mean square displacement. Although the experiment involved a scaled-up, proof-of-concept model of a genuine nanoscale oscillator, the experimental observations clearly validate the concept of oscillating probability, paving the way toward future ideal nanoscale systems

How to erase surface plasmon fringes

We report the realization of a dual surface plasmon polariton (SPP) microscope based on leakage radiation (LR) analysis. The microscope can either image SPP propagation in the direct space or tin the Fourier space. This particularity allows in turn manipulation of the LR image for a clear separation of different interfering SPP contributions present close to optical nanoelements.Comment: Appl. Phys. Lett. 89, 091117 (2006

Optical chirality without optical activity: How surface plasmons give a twist to light

Light interacts differently with left and right handed three dimensional chiral objects, like helices, and this leads to the phenomenon known as optical activity. Here, by applying a polarization tomography, we show experimentally, for the first time in the visible domain, that chirality has a different optical manifestation for twisted planar nanostructured metallic objects acting as isolated chiral metaobjects. Our analysis demonstrate how surface plasmons, which are lossy bidimensional electromagnetic waves propagating on top of the structure, can delocalize light information in the just precise way for giving rise to this subtle effect.Comment: Opt. Express 16, 12559 (2008

Le champ proche optique et la détection de nano-objets moléculaires individuels

En microscopie à champ proche optique dite "à ouverture" la lumière est confinée dans une ouverture de diamètre de l'ordre de 100 nm située en bout d'une fibre optique étirée et métallisée qui fait office de sonde excitatrice locale. Cette microscopie de proximité se carctérise essentiellement par l'utilisation des propriétés non propagatives de la lumière transmise par l'ouverture. Après un rappel des principes de bases de l'optique en champ proche et une description du fonctionnement du microscope utilisé dans ce travail, nous développons une étude théorique et analytique des profils d'émission en champ lointain de la pointe qui permet de justifier les propriétés observées expérimentalement dans ses carctérisations goniométriques. Ensuite, nous présentons un ensemble de résultats expérimentaux concernant l'étude de nano-objets fluorescents susceptibles d'améliorer notre compréhension des propriétés électromagnétiques locales du champ proche de la pointe. cette étude se termine par une discussion théorique sur la validité des modèles communément admis pour le champ proche (modèle de Bouwkamp) et par une présentation des premiers résultats de détection de molécules uniques obtenus à l'aide de ce microscope.GRENOBLE1-BU Sciences (384212103) / SudocSudocFranceF