1,164 research outputs found
Wavelength de-multiplexing properties of a single aperture flanked by periodic arrays of indentations
In this paper we explore the transmission properties of single subwavelength
apertures perforated in thin metallic films flanked by asymmetric
configurations of periodic arrays of indentations. It is shown how the
corrugation in the input side can be used to transmit selectively only two
different wavelengths. Also, by tuning the geometrical parameters defining the
corrugation of the output side, these two chosen wavelengths can emerge from
the structure as two very narrow beams propagating at well-defined directions.
This new ability of structured metals can be used as a base to build
micron-sized wavelength de-multiplexers.Comment: Accepted for publication in Photonics and Nanostructure
Theory of extraordinary transmission of light through quasiperiodic arrays of subwavelength holes
By using a theoretical formalism able to work in both real and k-spaces, the
physical origin of the phenomenon of extraordinary transmission of light
through quasi-periodic arrays of holes is revealed. Long-range order present in
a quasiperiodic array selects the wavevector(s) of the surface electromagnetic
mode(s) that allows an efficient transmission of light through subwavelength
holes.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Theory of lasing action in plasmonic crystals
We theoretically investigate lasing action in plasmonic crystals incorporating optically pumped four-level gain media. By using detailed simulations based on a time-domain generalization of the finite-element method, we show that the excitation of dark plasmonic resonances (via the gain medium) enables accessing the optimal
lasing characteristics of the considered class of systems. Moreover, our study reveals that, in general, arrays of nanowires feature lower lasing thresholds and larger slope efficiencies than those corresponding to periodic arrays of subwavelength apertures. These findings are of relevance for further engineering of active devices based on plasmonic crystal
Resonant transmission of light through finite chains of subwavelength holes
In this paper we show that the extraordinary optical transmission phenomenon
found before in 2D hole arrays is already present in a linear chain of
subwavelength holes, which can be considered as the basic geometrical unit
showing this property. In order to study this problem we have developed a new
theoretical framework, able to analyze the optical properties of finite
collections of subwavelength apertures and/or dimples (of any shape and placed
in arbitrary positions) drilled in a metallic film.Comment: Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Let
Wave-front phase-modulation control and focusing of second-harmonic light generated in transparent nonlinear random structures
We theoretically investigate how phase-only spatial light modulation can enable controlling and focusing the second-harmonic light generated in transparent nonlinear random structures. The studied structures are composed of domains with random sizes and antiparallel polarization, which accurately model widely used ferroelectric crystals such as strontium barium niobate. Using a first-principles Green-function formalism, we account for the effect that spatial light modulation of the fundamental beam introduces into the second-order nonlinear frequency conversion occurring in the considered class of structures. This approach provides a complete description of the physical origin of the second-harmonic light generation in the system, as well as the optimization of the light intensity in any arbitrary direction. Our numerical results show how the second-harmonic light is influenced by both the disorder in the structure and the boundaries of the crystal. Particularly, we find that the net result from the interplay between disorder and boundary effects is strongly dependent on the dimensions of the crystal and the observation direction. Remarkably, our calculations also show that although in general the maximum possible enhancement of the second-order light is the same as the one corresponding to linear light scattering in turbid media, in the Cerenkov phase matching direction the enhancement can exceed the linear limit. The theoretical analysis presented in this work expands the current understanding of light control in complex media and could contribute to the development of a new class of imaging and focusing techniques based on nonlinear frequency mixing in random optical materials.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version
Efficient low-power terahertz generation via on-chip triply-resonant nonlinear frequency mixing
Achieving efficient terahertz (THz) generation using compact turn-key sources
operating at room temperature and modest power levels represents one of the
critical challeges that must be overcome to realize truly practical
applications based on THz. Up to now, the most efficient approaches to THz
generation at room temperature -- relying mainly on optical rectification
schemes -- require intricate phase-matching set-ups and powerful lasers. Here
we show how the unique light-confining properties of triply-resonant photonic
resonators can be tailored to enable dramatic enhancements of the conversion
efficiency of THz generation via nonlinear frequency down-conversion processes.
We predict that this approach can be used to reduce up to three orders of
magnitude the pump powers required to reach quantum-limited conversion
efficiency of THz generation in nonlinear optical material systems.
Furthermore, we propose a realistic design readily accesible experimentally,
both for fabrication and demonstration of optimal THz conversion efficiency at
sub-W power levels
Enabling single-mode behavior over large areas with photonic Dirac cones
Many of graphene's unique electronic properties emerge from its Dirac-like
electronic energy spectrum. Similarly, it is expected that a nanophotonic
system featuring Dirac dispersion will open a path to a number of important
research avenues. To date, however, all proposed realizations of a photonic
analog of graphene lack fully omnidirectional out-of-plane light confinement,
which has prevented creating truly realistic implementations of this class of
systems. Here we report on a novel route to achieve all-dielectric
three-dimensional photonic materials featuring Dirac-like dispersion in a
quasi-two-dimensional system. We further discuss how this finding could enable
a dramatic enhancement of the spontaneous emission coupling efficiency (the
\beta-factor) over large areas, defying the common wisdom that the \beta-factor
degrades rapidly as the size of the system increases. These results might
enable general new classes of large-area ultralow-threshold lasers,
single-photon sources, quantum information processing devices and energy
harvesting systems
Photonic crystal optical waveguides for on-chip Bose-Einstein condensates
We propose an on-chip optical waveguide for Bose-Einstein condensates based
on the evanescent light fields created by surface states of a photonic crystal.
It is shown that the modal properties of these surface states can be tailored
to confine the condensate at distances from the chip surface significantly
longer that those that can be reached by using conventional index-contrast
guidance. We numerically demonstrate that by index-guiding the surface states
through two parallel waveguides, the atomic cloud can be confined in a
two-dimensional trap at about 1m above the structure using a power of
0.1mW.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure
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