Nanoantennas: new prospects in light-matter-interactions

The possibilities of nanoantennas for an enhanced interaction of light with quantum systems is theoretically investigated. A versatile framework is introduced to describe this interaction. A classical electrodynamics description of nanoantennas enables to freely design and tune them for specific means. But this approach leads to a semiclassical description of the entire system. We introduce a quantization scheme for nanoantennas based on their quasinormal modes, which enables a fully quantum treatment of the hybrid system. We show how nanoantennas can be designed to enhance the rates of so-called dipole-forbidden transitions of quantum systems, since the electromagnetic fields in the vicinity of a nanoantenna may vary much stronger than for plane waves. Specifically, an electric quadrupole excitation rate can be enhanced in the gap of a dimer nanoantenna. In regard to the specifics of an assumed quantum system, this excitation can cause a luminescence enhancement.We suggest using a hybrid quantum system consisting of a nanoantenna and a quantum system as an ultra-bright single-photon source. Due to its interaction with a nanoantenna, a quantum system can spontaneously emit radiation at higher rates when compared to free space. But this enhancement is not the only important figure of merit for single-photon sources. A trade-off between emission rate and nonclassicality of the emitted light is found as well. We investigate how quantum systems may be strongly coupled to nanoantennas. Fundamental trade-offs may set ultimate limits for achievable coupling-to-loss-ratios. To realize the strong coupling regime, nanoantennas have to be sufficiently small, which causes comparably low efficiencies. If a strongly coupled hybrid system is pumped, its dynamics and spectral response depends considerably on the excitation strength. The effects of strong coupling are most pronounced for weak excitations

Circular Optical Nanoantennas: An Analytical Theory

An entirely analytical theory is provided for describing the resonance properties of optical nanoantennas made of a stack of homogeneous discs, i.e. circular patch nanoantennas. It consists in analytically calculating the phase accumulation of surface plasmon polaritons across the resonator and an additional contribution from the complex reflection coefficient at the antenna termination. This makes the theory self-contained with no need for fitting parameters. The very antenna resonances are then explained by a simple Fabry-Perot resonator model. Predictions are compared to rigorous simulations and show excellent agreement. Using this analytical model, circular antennas can be tuned by varying the composition of the stack

High resolution displacement detection by speckle pattern analysis : accuracy limits in linear displacement speckle metrology

We propose a simple reflection measurement setup and a motion evaluation procedure based on a two dimensional recording of subsequent speckle images. The averaging of cross correlation functions is used to measure displacements. We demonstrate experimentally a 10 nm precision on a 50 μm measurement range limited by systematical errors. An image library is proposed to extend the measurement range. Limitations are given and documented improvements predicted an accuracy better than 5 nm over a range of 150 μm

Relating localized nanoparticle resonances to an associated antenna problem

We conceptually unify the description of resonances existing at metallic nanoparticles and optical nanowire antennas. To this end the nanoantenna is treated as a Fabry-Perot resonator with arbitrary semi-nanoparticles forming the terminations. We show that the frequencies of the quasi-static dipolar resonances of these nanoparticles coincide with the frequency where the phase of the complex reflection coefficient of the fundamental propagating plasmon polariton mode at the wire termination amounts to $\pi$. The lowest order Fabry-Perot resonance of the optical wire antenna occurs therefore even for a negligible wire length. This approach can be used either to easily calculate resonance frequencies for arbitrarily shaped nanoparticles or for tuning the resonance of nanoantennas by varying their termination.Comment: Submitted to Phys. Rev.

Case Reports1. A Late Presentation of Loeys-Dietz Syndrome: Beware of TGFβ Receptor Mutations in Benign Joint Hypermobility

Background: Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) and dissections are not uncommon causes of sudden death in young adults. Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is a rare, recently described, autosomal dominant, connective tissue disease characterized by aggressive arterial aneurysms, resulting from mutations in the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) receptor genes TGFBR1 and TGFBR2. Mean age at death is 26.1 years, most often due to aortic dissection. We report an unusually late presentation of LDS, diagnosed following elective surgery in a female with a long history of joint hypermobility. Methods: A 51-year-old Caucasian lady complained of chest pain and headache following a dural leak from spinal anaesthesia for an elective ankle arthroscopy. CT scan and echocardiography demonstrated a dilated aortic root and significant aortic regurgitation. MRA demonstrated aortic tortuosity, an infrarenal aortic aneurysm and aneurysms in the left renal and right internal mammary arteries. She underwent aortic root repair and aortic valve replacement. She had a background of long-standing joint pains secondary to hypermobility, easy bruising, unusual fracture susceptibility and mild bronchiectasis. She had one healthy child age 32, after which she suffered a uterine prolapse. Examination revealed mild Marfanoid features. Uvula, skin and ophthalmological examination was normal. Results: Fibrillin-1 testing for Marfan syndrome (MFS) was negative. Detection of a c.1270G > C (p.Gly424Arg) TGFBR2 mutation confirmed the diagnosis of LDS. Losartan was started for vascular protection. Conclusions: LDS is a severe inherited vasculopathy that usually presents in childhood. It is characterized by aortic root dilatation and ascending aneurysms. There is a higher risk of aortic dissection compared with MFS. Clinical features overlap with MFS and Ehlers Danlos syndrome Type IV, but differentiating dysmorphogenic features include ocular hypertelorism, bifid uvula and cleft palate. Echocardiography and MRA or CT scanning from head to pelvis is recommended to establish the extent of vascular involvement. Management involves early surgical intervention, including early valve-sparing aortic root replacement, genetic counselling and close monitoring in pregnancy. Despite being caused by loss of function mutations in either TGFβ receptor, paradoxical activation of TGFβ signalling is seen, suggesting that TGFβ antagonism may confer disease modifying effects similar to those observed in MFS. TGFβ antagonism can be achieved with angiotensin antagonists, such as Losartan, which is able to delay aortic aneurysm development in preclinical models and in patients with MFS. Our case emphasizes the importance of timely recognition of vasculopathy syndromes in patients with hypermobility and the need for early surgical intervention. It also highlights their heterogeneity and the potential for late presentation. Disclosures: The authors have declared no conflicts of interes