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A nano-confined source based on surface plasmon Bragg reflectors and nanocavity
Qingyan Wang1, Jia Wang, Shulian Zhang
1Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Department of Precision Instruments, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China. wangqy03@mails.tsinghua.edu.cn
Optics Express
|November 26, 2008
Summary
Researchers developed a novel nano-confined light source using surface plasmon polariton (SPP) Bragg reflectors and a nanocavity. This new nano source offers enhanced peak intensity and suppressed sidelobes for advanced optical applications.
Area of Science:
- Plasmonics
- Nanophotonics
- Optical Engineering
Background:
- Surface Plasmon Polaritons (SPPs) are electromagnetic waves confined to the surface of conductors.
- Controlling SPP propagation is crucial for developing advanced optical devices.
- Existing methods for creating localized light sources often suffer from low intensity or poor confinement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To realize a nano-confined light source utilizing SPP Bragg reflectors and a nanocavity.
- To achieve a single, localized, and non-radiating central peak for nano-source applications.
- To investigate the influence of structural parameters on light source performance.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of structures with a nanocavity surrounded by annular grooves.
- Characterization using Scanning Near-field Optical Microscopy (SNOM) to analyze SPP fields.
- Numerical simulations using the Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) method.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a single, localized central peak with enhanced intensity and suppressed sidelobes.
- Achieved a Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHM) below 285 nm (0.45 lambda) at 600 nm distance.
- Structural modifications led to over 1.27 times enhancement in peak intensity and sidelobe suppression up to 73%.
Conclusions:
- The developed SPP-based nano source effectively confines light to a sub-wavelength region.
- Experimental results align well with FDTD numerical simulations, validating the physical mechanisms.
- The nano source shows significant potential for applications in near-field imaging, data storage, optical manipulation, and localized spectrum detection.
