1 research outputs found
Midinfrared Surface Waves on a High Aspect Ratio Nanotrench Platform
Optical
surface waves, highly localized modes bound to the
surface of media, enable manipulation of light at nanoscale, thus
impacting a wide range of areas in nanoscience. By applying metamaterials,
artificially designed optical materials, as contacting media at the
interface, we can significantly ameliorate surface wave propagation
and even generate new types of waves. Here, we demonstrate that high
aspect ratio (1:20) grating structures with plasmonic lamellas in
deep nanoscale trenches, whose pitch is 1/10–1/35 of a wavelength,
function as a versatile platform supporting both surface and guided
bulk infrared waves. The surface waves exhibit a unique combination
of properties: directionality, broadband existence (from 4 μm
to at least 14 μm and beyond) and high localization, making
them an attractive tool for effective control of light in an extended
range of infrared frequencies