Transmission through array of subwavelength metallic slits curved with a single step or mutli-step

The transmission of normally incident plane wave through an array of subwavelength metallic slits curved with a sin- gle step or mutli-step has been explored theoretically. The transmission spectrum is simulated by using the finite-difference time-domain method. The influences of surface plasmon polaritons make the end of finite long sub-wavelength metallic slit behaves as magnetic-reflecting barrier. The electromagnetic fields in the subwavelength metallic slits are the superpo- sition of standing wave and traveling wave. The standing electromagnetic oscillation behaves like LC oscillating circuit to decide the resonance wavelength. Therefore, the parameters of adding step may change the LC circuit and influence the transmission wavelength. A new explanation model is proposed in which the resonant wavelength is decided by four factors： the changed length for electric field, the changed length for magnetic field, the effective coefficient of capacitance, and the effective coefficient of inductance. The effect of adding step is presented to analyze the interaction of two steps in slit with mutli-step. This explanation model has been proved by the transmission through arrayed subwavelength metallic slits curved with two steps and fractal steps. All calculated results are well explained by our proposed model.

A transparent electromagnetic-shielding film based on one-dimensional metal–dielectric periodic structures

In this study, we designed and fabricated optical materials consisting of alternating ITO and Ag layers. This approach is considered to be a promising way to obtain a light-weight, ultrathin and transparent shielding medium, which not only transmits visible light but also inhibits the transmission of microwaves, despite the fact that the total thickness of the Ag film is much larger than the skin depth in the visible range and less than that in the microwave region. Theoretical results suggest that a high dielectric/metal thickness ratio can enhance the broadband and improve the transmittance in the optical range. Accordingly, the central wavelength was found to be red-shifted with increasing dielectric/metal thickness ratio. A physical mechanism behind the controlling transmission of visible light is also proposed. Meanwhile, the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of the prepared structures was found to exceed 40 dB in the range from 0.1 GHz to 18 GHz, even reaching up to 70 dB at 0.1 GHz, which is far higher than that of a single ITO film of the same thickness.

Extraordinary Optical Confinement in a Silicon Slot Waveguide with Metallic Gratings

We present a silicon slot waveguide with metallic gratings embedded on the silicon surface in the slot region. The dependence of the optical coupling between two silicon wires on the width of the metal gap and the slot size are studied in detail. The results show that the optical field in the slot region with metallic gratings is significantly enhanced compared with the traditional slot waveguide due to the surface plasmon polaritons coupling on metallic gratings. The extraordinary optical confinement is attributed to the low effective dielectric constant of metallic gratings. The effective dielectric constant decreases with the increasing wavelength, and reaches the minimum when the width of the metal gap is about 0.01 times the wavelength.

Lattice plasmon mode excitation via near-field coupling

The optical response of metal nanoparticles can be modified through near-field or far-field interaction,yet the lattice plasmon modes(LPMs)considered can only be excited from the latter.Here instead,we present a theoretical evaluation for LPM excitation via the near-field coupling process.The sample is an arrayed structure with specific units composed of upper metal disks,a lower metal hole and a sandwiched dielectric post.The excitation process and underlying mechanism of the LPM and the influence of the structure parameters on the optical properties have been investigated in detail by using a finite-difference time-domain(FDTD)numerical method.Our investigation presented here should advance the understanding of near-field interaction of plasmon modes for LPM excitation,and LPMs could find some potential applications,such as in near-field optical microscopes,biosensors,optical filters and plasmonic lasers.

Angular-modulated spatial distribution of ultrahigh-order modes assisted by random scattering

In designing an optical waveguide with metallic films on a nanometer scale, the random scattering by the natural roughness of the thin film is always ignored. In this paper, we demonstrate that for the ultrahigh-order modes（UOMs） in the symmetric metal cladding waveguide, such a scattering leads to drastic variations in their spatial distribution at different incident angles. Owing to the high mode density of the UOMs, the random scattering induced coupling can be easily related to different modes with different propagation directions or wavenumbers. At small incident angles, the intra-mode coupling dominates, which results in a spatial distribution in the form of concentric rings. At large incident angles, the inter-mode coupling plays the most important role and leads to an array-like pattern. Experimental evidence via optically trapped nanoparticles support the theoretical hypothesis.

Simple Raman scattering sensor integrated with a metallic planar optical waveguide: effective modulation via minor structural adjustment

We report experimental realization of Raman spectra enhancement of copper phthalocyanine, using an on-chip metallic planar waveguide of the sub-millimeter scale. The oscillating ultrahigh order modes excited by the direct coupling method yield high optical intensity at resonance, which is different from the conventional strategy to create localized ＂hot spots.＂ The observed excitation efficiency of the Raman signal is significantly enhanced,owing to the high Q factor of the resonant cavity. Furthermore, effective modulation of the Raman intensity is available by adjusting the polymethyl methacrylate（PMMA） thickness in the guiding layer, i.e., by tuning the light–matter interaction length. A large modulation depth is verified through the fact that 10 times variation in the enhancement factor is observed in the experiment as the PMMA thickness varies from 7 to 23 μm.

Optical properties and dynamic process in metal ions doped on CdSe quantum dots sensitized solar cells

In recent years, the nanostructure for solar cells have attracted considerable attention from scientists as a result of a promising candidate for low cost devices. In this work, quantum dots sensitized solar cells with effective performance based on a co-sensitized Cd S∕Cd Se：Mn2＋（or Cu2＋） nanocrystal, which was made by successive ionic layer absorption and reaction, are discussed. The optical, physical, chemical, and photovoltaic properties of quantum dots sensitized solar cells were sensitized to Mn2＋and Cu2＋dopants. Therefore, the short current（JSC）of the quantum dot sensitized solar cells is boosted dramatically from 12.351 mA∕cm2 for pure Cd Se nanoparticles to 18.990 mA∕cm2 for Mn2＋ions and 19.915 mA∕cm2 for Cu2＋ions. Actually, metal dopant extended the band gap of pure Cd Se nanoparticles, reduced recombination, enhanced the efficiency of devices, and improved the charge transfer and collection. In addition, Mn2＋and Cu2＋dopants rose to the level of the conduction band of pure Cd Se nanoparticles, which leads to the reduction of the charge recombination, enhances the lightharvesting efficiency, and improves the charge diffusion and collection. The results also were confirmed by the obtained experimental data of photoluminescence decay and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

Nanoplasmonic magneto-optical isolator [Invited]

We introduce a nanoplasmonic isolator that consists of a cylindrical resonator placed close to a metal-dielectric-metal(MDM) waveguide. The material filling the waveguide and resonator is a magneto-optical(MO) material, and the structure is under an externally applied static magnetic field. We theoretically investigate the properties of the structure and show that the cavity mode without MO activity splits into two modes when the MO activity is present. In addition, we find that the presence of the MDM waveguide leads to a second resonance due to the geometrical asymmetry caused by the existence of the waveguide. We also show that, when MO activity is present, the cavity becomes a traveling wave resonator. Thus, the transmission of the structure depends on the direction of the incident light, and the proposed structure operates as an optical isolator.

Large Dynamic Range SPR Measurements Using a ZnSe Prism

A large dynamic index measurement range （n =1 to n = 1.7） using surface plasmon resonance （SPR） shifts was demonstrated with a ZnSe prism at 632.8nm, limited by the available high index liquid hosts. In contrast to borosilicate based SPR measurements, where angular limitations restrict solvent use to water and require considerable care dealing with Fresnel reflections, the ZnSe approach allows SPR spectroscopies to be applied to a varied range of solvents. An uncertainty in angular resolution between 1.5° and 6°, depending on the solvent and SPR angle, was estimated. The refractive index change for a given glucose concentration in water was measured to be n = （0.114 ± 0.007）/%[C6H12O6]. Given the transmission properties of ZnSe, the processes can be readily extended into the mid infrared.