Plasmonic vortex beam emitter

Terahertz vortices prompt numerous advanced applications spanning classical and quantum communications,sensing, and chirality-based detection, owing to the inherent physical properties of terahertz waves and orbital angular momentum(OAM). Nonetheless, existing methodologies for generating terahertz vortices face challenges such as unalterable topological charges and intricate feed networks. To address these limitations, we propose a novel approach to generate multi-mode and tunable vortex beams based on chiral plasmons. Through eigenmode analysis, the uniform helical gratings are demonstrated to support chiral plasmons carrying OAM. By leveraging their vortex characteristics and introducing modulation into the periodic system, these chiral plasmons are alternatively diffracted into high-purity vortex radiations according to the Bragg law. To validate the theory, the vortex beam emitter is fabricated and measured in the microwave regime based on the modulated scheme. Experimental results confirm the emission of vortex beams with desirable phase distributions and radiation patterns. Our findings highlight the potential of chiral plasmons as seeds for tunable and compact vortex radiation, offering promising applications in tunable vortex sources.

Broadband infinite-Q plasmons enable intense Smith–Purcell radiation

With the rapid development of nanophotonics for enhancing free-electron radiation,bound states in the continuum(BICs)have emerged as a promising approach for emitting intense Smith–Purcell radiation(SPR)with enhanced intensity.However,current BIC-based methods are limited to single-frequency operation,thereby restricting their applications requiring spectral and angular tunability,such as particle detectors and light sources.To overcome this limitation,this work proposes an approach for constructing plasmonic BICs over a broad spectral range in symmetry-broken systems.By leveraging the high-Q resonances near the BICs,we achieve intense SPR with broadband tunability,potentially improving the radiation intensity by six orders compared to traditional methods.Experimentally,we validate the construction of BIC using plasmonic antennas and achieve broadband demonstration.Our proposed concept can be extended to other plasmonic or guided-wave systems,paving the way toward compact and efficient free-electron sources in hard-to-reach frequency regimes.