We report the real-time visualization method of surface plasmon resonance with the spectroscopic attenuated total reflection. Recently, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) had been studied for plasmonics devices to construct faster processor in the electronic microprocessors. SPR is strong interaction between light and free electron near metal surface, which cause absorption of light due to its resonance. The behavior can be explained with Fresnel’s equation. As the wave number of light with a certain frequency is not matched with that of surface plasmon, a prism or a grating is used in order to compensate this mismatching. In the prism case, the wave number is changed by changing the incident angle to the metal surface inside the prism as ksp=n*k0sinθ, where ksp and k0 is the wave numbers of surface plasmon and incident light, respectively, n is the refractive index of the prism and θ is the incident angle to the metal surface inside the prism. Therefore, the SPR can be observed by absorption of light as functions of the wavelength and the incident angle. This resonance behavior as functions of the wavelength and the incident angle can be observed directly with a two-dimensional detector such as a CCD camera. As the two-dimensional SPR images for 50nm-thick silver films on the prism surface have been observed experimentally, they have good agreement with calculated ones. Kretchmann configuration using a glass prism and an approximately 50-nm-thick silver or gold film was often used in order to evaluate the optical constants of the film. Most of SPR signals had been measured with either angular or spectral dependence with this geometry. In the case of angular dependence, the monochromatic laser, e.g. He-Ne laser at 632.8nm, is often used for the incident light. One can measure reflection loss as a function of an incident angle in the total reflection region. Increase in the resonance angle of SPR is well known when the thin oxide film on the metal film. The two-dimensional image of SPR is called “surface plasmon spectral fingerprint”, because it can inform conditions of metal films whether they are reacted or oxidized. Many fingerprints are expected by changing the thickness of the coating layer on the silver surface. In our method, thin metal film on a prism was excited by focusing beam of white light. SPR was clearly visualized with a spectrometer equipped with a two-dimensional CCD detector in the coordination of the incident angle and the wavelength. Various metal films could be distinguished even in partially oxidized condition. This real-time SPR visualization method would be useful not only for monitoring of surface reaction but for fabricating plasmonic devices.

Single δ-layers of dispersed silver (Ag) nanoparticles are obtained by low-energy ion beam implantation in a silica thin film. TEM microscopy reveals that the obtained Ag particles are spherical, crystalline, and the particles layer is located at only few nanometers below the free silica surface. We use reflectivity measurements to probe the optical/plasmonic response of the fabricated structures and exploit plasmon resonance and optical interference effects in the silica film to record the Raman scattering by quadrupolar vibrations of the spherical particles.

Spatial-frequency transfer functions are regularly used to model the imaging performance of near-field �superlens� systems. However, these do not account for interactions between the object that is being imaged and the superlens itself. As the imaging in these systems is in the near field, such interactions are important to consider if accurate performance estimates are to be obtained. We present here a simple analytical modification that can be made to the transfer function to account for near-field interactions for objects consisting of small apertures in otherwise-continuous metal screens. The modified transfer functions are evaluated by comparison with full-field finite-element simulations for representative single-layer and multi-layer silver superlenses, and good agreement is found.

We propose a novel subwavelength terahertz (THz) waveguide using the magnetic plasmon polariton (MPP) mode guided by a narrow gap in a negative permeability metamaterial. Deep subwavelength wave-guiding (< λ/10) with a modest propagation loss (2.5 dB/λ) and group velocities down to c/21.8 is demonstrated in a straight waveguide, a 90-degree bend, and a splitter. The distinctive dispersions of the guided mode with positive and negative group velocities are explained analytically by considering the dispersive effective optical constants of the metamaterial. The proposed waveguiding system inherently has no cutoff for any core width and height, paving the way toward the deep subwavelength transport of THz waves for integrated THz device applications.

We report the experimental observation of a very strong cavity polariton dispersion in a multi-axial mode GaN microcavity. The linewidth of photoluminescent (PL) spectrum covers a few cavity axial modes. The resonant photoluminescent peaks have a strong dispersion. The frequency spacing between adjacent peaks decreases by almost a factor of five from 470nm to 370nm. The strong dispersion can be well described by cavity polariton dispersion, but not by the dispersion of the refractive index of GaN. The measured exciton-photon interaction constant is 260 meV. It is an order of magnitude higher than the typically reported values for GaN microcavities

In this paper the experimental results show near-infrared light collimation through large area (2 x 2 mm) nanopatterned material with refractive index quasi-zero on the average. This quasi-zero refractive index is obtained alternating photonic crystals strips with effective refractive index neff = –1 and air strips (n = 1). Layers optically annihilate each other, verifying the optical antimatter concept theoretically proposed by Pendry et al [J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 15, 6345 (2003)].

Two dimensional photonic crystal (PhC) microcavity structures were fabricated using epitaxial ferroelectric thin film as the optical media and their resonant optical properties were measured. The PhC structures are utilized in order to achieve strong light localization to enhance the interaction between the incident light and the nonlinear optical barium titanate (BTO). Fluorescence measurements were used to assess the resonant properties. Two types of resonant structures were investigated consisting of either dopant or vacancy PhC arrays. The nano patterning on BTO thin films was achieved using dual beam focused ion beam (FIB). For the dopant type PhC microcavity structure, a larger air hole is generated in every 5 x 5 unit cells forming a super cell. The spatial profiles of PhC microcavity structures are characterized by laser scanning confocal microscopy. Structures with a feature size approaching the optical diffraction limit are clearly resolved. Fluorescence measurements on PhCs coated with a fluorescent dye were carried out to determine the relationship between the degree of light localization and the photonic band structure. Enhanced fluorescence at wavelengths 550-600 nm is observed in the dye covered PhCs with lattice period a =200 nm and a =400 nm. The large fluorescence enhancement results from the presence of PhC stop bands that increase the emission extraction efficiency due to the strong light confinement. Since the only allowed propagation direction for the scattered fluorescence light is out-of-plane, this enhances the vertically fluorescent extraction efficiency. These BTO optical microcavity structures can potentially serve as active nano-photonic components in bio-sensors and integrated photonic circuits.

Despite research efforts to find a better nano-optical transducer for light localization and high transmission efficiency for existing and emerging plasmonic applications, there has not been much consideration on improving the near-field optical performance of the system by engineering the near-field sample. In this work, we demonstrate the impact of tailoring the near-field sample by studying an emerging plasmonic application, namely heat-assisted magnetic recording. Basic principles of Maxwell's and heat transfer equations are utilized to obtain a magnetic medium with superior optical and thermal performance compared to a conventional magnetic medium.

Composites comprising of polymers and metal nanoparticles are of great interest in regard to electronic and opto-electronic applications. The preparation of such nanocomposites with homogenously dispersed particles usually cannot be solved by mixing the polymer and the desired isolated colloids due to strong agglomeration tendency of the metallic nanoparticles. Consequently, nanocomposites with colloids have been prepared by synthesis of the inorganic particles in situ, for instance in solution, and then mixed with the polymer solution.

Extensive attention has been given to the study of the plasmonic properties of noble metal nanoparticles as a result of their potential application as waveguides, photonic circuits, and sensors [1]. Surface plasmon polaritons are excited when electromagnetic radiation causes coherent oscillations of the conducting electrons of noble metal nanoparticles such as gold, silver or copper. The selective photon absorption and scattering allow the monitoring of the optical properties of the nanoparticles by conventional spectroscopic methods like UV-vis spectroscopy. Previous investigations show that the surface plasmon resonance frequency is extremely sensitive to the size, shape, and the surrounding dielectric environment of the nanoparticles [2].

In order to obtain multifunctional composites electro-active polymers (EAP) can be chosen as matrix materials. EAPs such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and its copolymer with trifluoroethylene (P(VDF-TrFE)) show a ferroelectric polarization accompanied with piezo- and pyroelectric properties. Both polymers are suitable for composite preparation as earlier studies have shown, e.g. performed on ceramic-polymer composites in order to optimize their piezo- and pyroelectric properties and to adjust their dielectric properties, respectively. Recently, PVDF with embedded metallic nanoparticles was studied regarding the kinetics of film preparation, dispersion and resulting properties [3].

In this work, the influence of homogenously dispersed silver-nanoparticles in electro-active polymers such as PVDF and P(VDF-TrFE) has been investigated over a broad range of mass fractions of silver. For low silver nanoparticle content (up to 3wt.%) the surface plasmon polariton resonance peak can be observed in the blue spectral region. From the infrared spectra it is concluded that no significant degradation of the polymers occurs. Higher silver amounts cause the formation of fractal-like agglomerates. Thus, a high extinction cross section in the visible and infrared spectral range is found. Furthermore, the influence of the silver mass fraction to the thermal, electrical and dielectric properties of the nanocomposites is discussed in detail.

[1] S. A. Maier, H. A. Atwater, J. Appl. Phys. 2005, 98, 011101-10. [2] J. J. Mock, et al, J. Chem. Phys. 2002, 116, 6755-6759.[3] J. Compton, et al, Makromol. Symp. 2007, 247, 182-189.

Theoretical analysis can impart great benefits on the rationale design of 3D photonic structures by revealing the underlying mechanisms of structural distortion during each processing step. In this report, we quantitatively study the distortion of a three-term diamond-like structure fabricated in SU-8 polymer by four-beam interference lithography, which can be attributed to refraction at the air-film interface, and resist film shrinkage during lithographic process. In study of photonic bandgap (PBG) properties of Si photonic crystals templated by the SU-8 structures, we find that the distortion has degraded the quality of PBGs. Furthermore, we theoretically design new optical setups to fabricate three-term diamond-like structure with minimal deformation. Instead of single exposure of four beams, we use triple exposure of two beams, one from the central beam and the other from the side beam each time. A set of new linear polarization vectors is suggested to enhance the contrast between the minimal and maximal intensities of interference pattern.

The interaction of photons with metallic nanoparticles and nanoantennas yields large enhancement and tight localization of electromagnetic fields in the vicinity of nanoparticles. In the first part of this study, the interaction of a spherical nanoparticle with focused beams of various angular spectra is investigated. This study demonstrates that the focused light can be utilized to manipulate the near-field radiation around nanoparticles. In the second part of this study, the interaction between linearly and radially polarized focused light with prolate spheroidal nanoparticles and nano-antennas is investigated. Strong and tightly localized longitudinal components of a radially polarized focused beam can excite strong plasmon modes on elongated nanoparticles such as prolate spheroids. The effect of a focused beam on parameters such as the numerical aperture of a beam and the wavelength of incident light, as well as particle geometry and composition are also studied.

We propose more practical method to realize the superfocusing modes based on waveguide structures, and present a numerical analysis these structures using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations. For metallic wedged structure coupled to dielectric waveguides, we investigate a method of controlling superfocusing by changing the phase of waveguide modes.

Heterodyne optical feedback on a class B laser is investigated for Scanning Near field Optical Microscopy (SNOM). All-fiberized set-up combining an Er-doped Distributed Feedback (DFB) fiber laser, a pair of pigtailed acousto-optics modulators (AOM) and a shear-force based scanning probe technique has been developed for the simultaneous observation of topography and evanescent light field on integrated optical devices. First demonstration of imaging using this technique is illustrated by characterizing the propagating modes into a rib waveguide at 1.54μm. Comparison between a theoretical model based on beam propagation mode (BPM) simulations and experimental measurements validates the results.

An integral equation based numerical solution is developed when the particles are illuminated with collimated and focused incident beams. The solution procedure uses the method of weighted residuals, in which the integral equation is reduced to a matrix equation and then solved for the unknown electric field distribution. In the solution procedure, the effects of the surrounding medium and boundaries are taken into account using a Green’s function formulation. Therefore, there is no additional error due to artificial boundary conditions unlike differential equation based techniques, such as finite difference time domain and finite element method. In this formulation, only the scattering nano-particle is discretized. The results are compared to the analytical Mie series solution for spherical particles, as well as to the finite element method for rectangular metallic particles. The Richards-Wolf vector field equations are combined with the integral equation based formulation to model the interaction of nanoparticles with linearly and radially polarized incident focused beams.