Detection of deep-subwavelength dielectric layers at terahertz frequencies using semiconductor plasmonic resonators

Plasmonic bowtie antennas made of doped silicon can operate as plasmonic resonators at terahertz (THz) frequencies and provide large field enhancement close to their gap. We demonstrate both experimentally and theoretically that the field confinement close to the surface of the antenna enables the detection of ultrathin (100 nm) inorganic films, about 3750 times thinner than the free space wavelength. Based on model calculations, we conclude that the detection sensitivity and its variation with the thickness of the deposited layer are related to both the decay of the local THz field profile around the antenna and the local field enhancement in the gap of the bowtie antenna. This large field enhancement has the potential to improve the detection limits of plasmon-based biological and chemical sensors

Detection and Characterization of Nano-Defects Located on Micro-Structured Substrates by Means of Light Scattering

The authors wish to acknowledge the funds provided by the Ministry of Education of Spain under project #FIS2007-60158. We also thank the computer resources provided by the Spanish Supercomputing Network (RES) node at Universidad de Cantabria

Surface inspection by monitoring spectral shifts of localized plasmon resonances

We present a numerical study of the spectral variations of localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPR) in a 3D-probe metallic nanoparticle scanned over an inhomoegeneous dielectric surface. The possibilities for both, index monitoring and lateral resolution at nanoscale level are explored, with special attention paid to the shape of the probe and the profile of the near field underneath

Spectral behavior of the linear polarization degree at right-angle scattering configuration for nanoparticle systems

We present a numerical study of the spectral evolution of the linear polarization degree at right-angle scattering configuration (PL(90º)) for two different particle systems: an isolated nanosphere and a nanodimer composed of two finite size spherical particles separated by a gap distance d. We shall focus on the influence of charge oscillation modes other than the dipolar on the linear polarization degree of the scattered light. The possibility of using this alternative parameter for characterizing nanoparticle systems and particle interaction is analyzed.We acknowledge financial support from USAITCA (US Army International Technology Center—Atlantic) under the project R&D1390-PH-01 and from the Ministry of Education of Spain under the project FIS2007-60158

CDDA: extension and analysis of the discrete dipole approximation for chiral systems

Discrete dipole approximation (DDA) is a computational method broadly used to solve light scattering problems. In this work, we propose an extension of DDA that we call Chiral-DDA (CDDA), to study light-chiral matter interactions with the capability of describing the underlying physics behind. Here, CDDA is used to solve and analyze the interaction of a nanoantenna (either metallic or dielectric) with a chiral molecule located in its near field at different positions. Our method allowed to relate near field interactions with far field spectral response of the system, elucidating the role that the nanoantenna electric and magnetic polarizabilities play in the coupling with a chiral molecule. In general, this is not straightforward with other methods. We believe that CDDA has the potential to help researchers revealing some of the still unclear mechanisms responsible for the chiral signal enhancements induced by nanoantennas.Ramon y Cajal Fellowship (RYC-2016- 20831); Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte (PGC2018-096649-B-I); Horizon 2020 Framework Programme (899598)

Polar decomposition of Mueller matrices for 2D-structured surfaces

In this research, the Polar Decomposition (PD) has been applied to the Mueller matrices (MMs) of the light scattered by linear ribs of rectangular profile on a flat substrate. Although photo-lithographic technique produces a silicon surface, metallic character is acquired by sputtering with gold some of the samples. With a dual rotating compensator polarimeter the MMs are obtained by Fourier Transform analysis. The samples have been numerically modeled by using both FDTD and Extinction Theorem (ET) and MMs have been computed from the results. The scattering depends strongly on the geometry and composition of the ribs, and this sensitivity is noticed for instance in M11 element. But information offered by PD parameters is shown to be more apprehensible, like the substrate-induced depolarization or the retardance associated to the rib width.This research has been supported by the Ministry of Education of Spain under project FIS2007-60158 and by USAITCA through R&D 1390-PH-01

On the performance of a tunable grating-based high sensitivity unidirectional plasmonic sensor

Optical biosensing is currently an intensively active research area, with an increasing demand of highly selective, sensitivity-enhanced and low-cost devices where different plasmonic approaches have been developed. In this work we propose a tunable optimized grating-based gold metasurface that can act both as a high sensitivity sensor device (up to 1500 nm/RIU) and as an unidirectional plasmon source. The theory behind surface plasmon polariton generation is recalled to thoroughly understand the influence that every parameter of the grating source has on the performance of the proposed device. The results and conclusions discussed here offer a key step toward the design of biosensors based on excitation of surface plasmons polaritons by grating-based structures or in the process of creating new nanophotonic circuit devices.We gratefully acknowledge financial support from Spanish national project INMUNOTERMO (No. PGC2018-096649-B-I). J. G-C. thanks the Ministry of science of Spain for his FPI grant. G. S. thanks the Ministry of education for his collaboration grant and P.A. acknowledges funding for a Ramon y Cajal Fellowship (Grant No. RYC-2016-20831)

Electromagnetic Study of Behaviour of Plasmonic Units

SUMMARY: For any memory or computing device, fast switching speed and low switching energy are most attractive attributes, and approaches by which speed and energy efficiency can be improved are always desirable. Plasmonics offers a way to achieve those attributes of fast switching and low energy consumption: plasmonic resonant structures are inherently capable of harnessing and focusing optical energy on sub-wavelength scales, far beyond the capabilities of conventional optical and photonic elements. Plasmonics can provide us with access to both of these scenarios. Indeed, plasmonics offers additional light manipulation tools, otherwise inaccessible with conventional photonics. The collective oscillation of conduction electrons in a suitably shaped metallic nanoparticle (the so-called localized surface plasmon, LSP) can couple with impinging radiation, which in turn squeezes light into much reduced volumes, and greatly magnifies the local electric field, usually leading to a much reduced (non-diffraction limited) device footprint. This deliverable presents an analysis of the electromagnetic interaction of plasmonic units with phase-change materials (PCMs) as selected in the project PHEMTRONICS. As plasmonic units, we start by considering the common plasmonic metals of gold and silver, analyzing their possibilities and limits. Based on those, we consider the use of metallic nanoantennas made of Ga nanoparticle dimers. Ga has been selected due to its good plasmonic performance, physical and chemical properties and to its polymorphism. We have analyzed the coupling of plasmonic nanoantennas with the PCMs under consideration at the moment in the project, namely, GaS and Sb2S3 in their amorphous and crystalline phases. These two PCMs have been combined with Ga NPs and some gold configurations to make the nanoantenna reconfigurabilty wider and improve its tunability and performance. Further, plasmon coupling to PCM waveguides made of Sb2S3, has been analyzed through metallic grating couplers. Two basic configurations have been selected which could be the base to design a plasmonic enhanced PCM photodetector in collaboration with the PHEMTRONICS partners. Finally, conclusions have been drawn together with the identification of the practical solutions to couple plasmonics with novel PCMs

Real-Space Mapping of Fano Interference in Plasmonic Metamolecules

An unprecedented control of the spectral response of plasmonic nanoantennas has recently been achieved by designing structures that exhibit Fano resonances. This new insight is paving the way for a variety of applications, such as biochemical sensing and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Here we use scattering-type near-field optical microscopy to map the spatial field distribution of Fano modes in infrared plasmonic systems. We observe in real space the interference of narrow (dark) and broad (bright) plasmonic resonances, yielding intensity and phase toggling between different portions of the plasmonic metamolecules when either their geometric sizes or the illumination wavelength is varied.Fil: Alonso Gonzalez, Pablo. No especifíca;Fil: Schnell, Martin. No especifíca;Fil: Sarriugarte, Paulo. No especifíca;Fil: Sobhani, Heidar. Rice University; Estados UnidosFil: Wu, Chihhui. University of Texas at Austin; Estados UnidosFil: Arju, Nihal. University of Texas at Austin; Estados UnidosFil: Khanikaev, Alexander. University of Texas at Austin; Estados UnidosFil: Golmar, Federico. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Albella, Pablo. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; EspañaFil: Arzubiaga, Libe. No especifíca;Fil: Casanova, Felix. No especifíca;Fil: Hueso, Luis E.. No especifíca;Fil: Nordlander, Peter. Rice University; Estados UnidosFil: Shvets, Gennady. University of Texas at Austin; Estados UnidosFil: Hillenbrand, Rainer. No especifíca