Second Harmonic Generation from Grating-Coupled Hybrid Plasmon-Phonon Polaritons

Polaritons can provide strong optical field enhancement allowing to boost light-matter interaction. Here, we experimentally observe enhancement of mid-infrared second-harmonic generation (SHG) using grating-coupled surface phonon polaritons of the 6H-SiC surface. In our experiment, we measure the SHG along the polariton dispersion by changing the incidence angle of the excitation beam. We observe hybridization between the propagating surface phonon polaritons and localized plasmon resonances in the gold grating, evidenced by the modification of the polariton dispersion as we change the area ratio of grating and substrate. Design options for engineering the plasmon-phonon polariton hybridization are discussed. Overall, we find a rather low yield of polariton-enhanced SHG in this geometry compared to prism-coupling and nanostructures, and discuss possible origins

Fabricating celebrity brands via scandalous narrative: crafting, capering and commodifying the comedian, Russell Brand

Most marketing researchers with an interest in the mythic machinations of celebrity culture assume that being implicated in a scandal is detrimental to long-term brand-building efforts. However, our premise is that this assumption is often misguided. We argue that celebrities who court scandal sometimes find that the media coverage it precipitates – especially when the spun narrative is compelling – can significantly increase their brand value. To support our assertion, we begin by reviewing the literature on celebrity scandal. Following this, we illustrate how the creation of a scandalous narrative can fuel a celebrity career. To do so, we investigate the colourful career of the comedian-cum-revolutionary, Russell Brand. We conclude that, when combined, the 3Cs of his scandalous narrative – crafting, capering and commodifying – present, in combination, a viable means of gaining entry into the upper echelons of celebritydom