533 research outputs found
Feshbach blockade: single-photon nonlinear optics using resonantly enhanced cavity-polariton scattering from biexciton states
We theoretically demonstrate how the resonant coupling between a pair of
cavity-polaritons and a biexciton state can lead to a large single-photon Kerr
nonlinearity in a semiconductor solid-state system. A fully analytical model of
the scattering process between a pair of cavity-polaritons is developed, which
explicitly includes the biexcitonic intermediate state. A dramatic enhancement
of the polariton-polariton interactions is predicted in the vicinity of the
biexciton Feshbach resonance. Application to the generation of non-classical
light from polariton dots is discussed
Tracking Optical and Electronic Behaviour of Quantum Contacts in Sub-Nanometre Plasmonic Cavities.
Plasmonic interactions between two metallic tips are dynamically studied in a supercontinuum dark-field microscope and the transition between coupled and charge-transfer plasmons is directly observed in the sub-nm regime. Simultaneous measurement of the dc current, applied force, and optical scattering as the tips come together is used to determine the effects of conductive pathways within the plasmonic nano-gap. Critical conductances are experimentally identified for the first time, determining the points at which quantum tunnelling and conductive charge transport begin to influence plasmon coupling. These results advance our understanding of the relationship between conduction and plasmonics, and the fundamental quantum mechanical behaviours of plasmonic coupling.The authors would like to acknowledge Nanotools GmbH for their contributions and support to this project. We acknowledge EPSRC Grants No. EP/G060649/1, No. EP/L027151/1, and No. EP/K028510/1, ERC Grant No. LINASS 320503, and Ikerbasque. RWB thanks Queens’ College, Cambridge and the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 for financial support.This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from Nature Publishing Group via http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep3298
Bragg Polaritons: Strong Coupling and Amplification in an Unfolded Microcavity
Periodic incorporation of quantum wells inside a one--dimensional Bragg
structure is shown to enhance coherent coupling of excitons to the
electromagnetic Bloch waves. We demonstrate strong coupling of quantum well
excitons to photonic crystal Bragg modes at the edge of the photonic bandgap,
which gives rise to mixed Bragg polariton eigenstates. The resulting Bragg
polariton branches are in good agreement with the theory and allow
demonstration of Bragg polariton parametric amplification.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Voltage-controlled electron tunnelling from a single self-assembled quantum dot embedded in a two-dimensional-electron-gas-based photovoltaic cell
We perform high-resolution photocurrent (PC) spectroscopy to investigate
resonantly the neutral exciton ground-state (X0) in a single InAs/GaAs
self-assembled quantum dot (QD) embedded in the intrinsic region of an
n-i-Schottky photodiode based on a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG), which
was formed from a Si delta-doped GaAs layer. Using such a device, a single-QD
PC spectrum of X0 is measured by sweeping the bias-dependent X0 transition
energy through that of a fixed narrow-bandwidth laser via the quantum-confined
Stark effect (QCSE). By repeating such a measurement for a series of laser
energies, a precise relationship between the X0 transition energy and bias
voltage is then obtained. Taking into account power broadening of the X0
absorption peak, this allows for high-resolution measurements of the X0
homogeneous linewidth and, hence, the electron tunnelling rate. The electron
tunnelling rate is measured as a function of the vertical electric field and
described accurately by a theoretical model, yielding information about the
electron confinement energy and QD height. We demonstrate that our devices can
operate as 2DEG-based QD photovoltaic cells and conclude by proposing two
optical spintronic devices that are now feasible.Comment: 34 pages, 11 figure
Mid-infrared-perturbed molecular vibrational signatures in plasmonic nanocavities.
Recent developments in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) enable observation of single-bond vibrations in real time at room temperature. By contrast, mid-infrared (MIR) vibrational spectroscopy is limited to inefficient slow detection. Here we develop a new method for MIR sensing using SERS. This method utilizes nanoparticle-on-foil (NPoF) nanocavities supporting both visible and MIR plasmonic hotspots in the same nanogap formed by a monolayer of molecules. Molecular SERS signals from individual NPoF nanocavities are modulated in the presence of MIR photons. The strength of this modulation depends on the MIR wavelength, and is maximized at the 6-12 μm absorption bands of SiO2 or polystyrene placed under the foil. Using a single-photon lock-in detection scheme we time-resolve the rise and decay of the signal in a few 100 ns. Our observations reveal that the phonon resonances of SiO2 can trap intense MIR surface plasmons within the Reststrahlen band, tuning the visible-wavelength localized plasmons by reversibly perturbing the localized few-nm-thick water shell trapped in the nanostructure crevices. This suggests new ways to couple nanoscale bond vibrations for optomechanics, with potential to push detection limits down to single-photon and single-molecule regimes.We acknowledge support from European Research Council (ERC) under Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme THOR (Grant Agreement No. 829067) and POSEIDON (Grant Agreement No. 861950). We acknowledge funding from the EPSRC (Cambridge NanoDTC EP/L015978/1, EP/L027151/1, EP/S022953/1, EP/P029426/1, and EP/R020965/1). R.C.acknowledges support from Trinity College, University of Cambridge
Polariton Bose-Einstein condensate at room temperature in a Al(Ga)N nanowire-dielectric microcavity with a spatial potential trap
A spatial potential trap is formed in a 6.0 {\mu}m Al(Ga)N nanowire by
varying the Al composition along its length during epitaxial growth. The
polariton emission characteristics of a dielectric microcavity with the single
nanowire embedded in-plane has been studied at room temperature. Excitation is
provided at the Al(Ga)N end of the nanowire and polariton emission is observed
from the lowest bandgap GaN region of the nanowire. Comparison of the results
with those measured in an identical microcavity with an uniform GaN nanowire
and having an identical exciton-photon detuning suggests evaporative cooling of
the polaritons as they are transported across the trap in the Al(Ga)N nanowire.
Measurement of the spectral characteristics of the polariton emission, their
momentum distribution, first-order spatial coherence and time-resolved
measurements of polariton cooling provide strong evidence of the formation of
an equilibrium Bose-Einstein condensate, a unique state of matter in solid
state systems, in the GaN region of the nanowire, at room temperature. An
equilibrium condensate is not formed in the GaN nanowire dielectric microcavity
without the spatial potential trap.Comment: 28 pages, 6 figures, Submitted to the Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences of the United States of Americ
The new physics of non-equilibrium condensates: insights from classical dynamics
We discuss the dynamics of classical Dicke-type models, aiming to clarify the
mechanisms by which coherent states could develop in potentially
non-equilibrium systems such as semiconductor microcavities. We present
simulations of an undamped model which show spontaneous coherent states with
persistent oscillations in the magnitude of the order parameter. These states
are generalisations of superradiant ringing to the case of inhomogeneous
broadening. They correspond to the persistent gap oscillations proposed in
fermionic atomic condensates, and arise from a variety of initial conditions.
We show that introducing randomness into the couplings can suppress the
oscillations, leading to a limiting dynamics with a time-independent order
parameter. This demonstrates that non-equilibrium generalisations of polariton
condensates can be created even without dissipation. We explain the dynamical
origins of the coherence in terms of instabilities of the normal state, and
consider how it can additionally develop through scattering and dissipation.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, submitted for a special issue of J. Phys.:
Condensed Matter on "Optical coherence and collective phenomena in
nanostructures". v2: added discussion of links to exact solution
Optical nano-woodpiles: large-area metallic photonic crystals and metamaterials.
Metallic woodpile photonic crystals and metamaterials operating across the visible spectrum are extremely difficult to construct over large areas, because of the intricate three-dimensional nanostructures and sub-50 nm features demanded. Previous routes use electron-beam lithography or direct laser writing but widespread application is restricted by their expense and low throughput. Scalable approaches including soft lithography, colloidal self-assembly, and interference holography, produce structures limited in feature size, material durability, or geometry. By multiply stacking gold nanowire flexible gratings, we demonstrate a scalable high-fidelity approach for fabricating flexible metallic woodpile photonic crystals, with features down to 10 nm produced in bulk and at low cost. Control of stacking sequence, asymmetry, and orientation elicits great control, with visible-wavelength band-gap reflections exceeding 60%, and with strong induced chirality. Such flexible and stretchable architectures can produce metamaterials with refractive index near zero, and are easily tuned across the IR and visible ranges.We acknowledge financial support from EPSRC grant EP/G060649/1, EP/I012060/1, EP/L027151/1, ERC grants LINASS 320503 and 3DIMAGE 291522, EU FP7 280478, and the Leverhulme Trust and Rolls-Royce plc.This is the final version of the article, originally published in Scientific Reports 5, Article number: 8313. DOI: 10.1038/srep08313
Pyramidal micromirrors for microsystems and atom chips
Concave pyramids are created in the (100) surface of a silicon wafer by anisotropic etching in potassium hydroxide. High quality micromirrors are then formed by sputtering gold onto the smooth silicon (111) faces of the pyramids. These mirrors show great promise as high quality optical devices suitable for integration into micro-optoelectromechanical systems and atom chips. We have shown that structures of this shape can be used to laser-cool and hold atoms in a magneto-optical trap
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