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Probing photonic Bloch wavefunctions with plasmon-coupled leakage radiation
C J Regan1, O Thiabgoh, L Grave de Peralta
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA.
Optics Express
|April 20, 2012
Summary
Researchers directly observed photonic Bloch wavefunctions in dielectric loaded plasmonic crystals. This breakthrough relies on in-plane light scattering and metal layers for far-field imaging, not light diffraction.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
Background:
- Plasmonic crystals offer unique light manipulation properties.
- Observing photonic Bloch wavefunctions is crucial for understanding light propagation in nanostructures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the direct observation of photonic Bloch wavefunctions.
- To elucidate the mechanisms enabling far-field imaging of these wavefunctions in dielectric loaded plasmonic crystals.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical modeling of light-matter interactions in plasmonic crystals.
- Experimental fabrication and characterization of dielectric loaded plasmonic crystals.
- Surface emission and back focal plane imaging techniques.
Main Results:
- Successful direct observation of photonic Bloch wavefunctions.
- Identified in-plane light scattering and the metal layer as key factors for imaging.
- Experimental results show excellent agreement with theoretical simulations.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a novel method for visualizing photonic Bloch wavefunctions.
- This work advances the understanding of light propagation in plasmonic nanostructures.
- Enables new possibilities for designing advanced photonic devices.
