Unidirectional side scattering of light by a single-element nanoantenna

Unidirectional side scattering of light by a single-element plasmonic nanoantenna is demonstrated using full-field simulations and back focal plane measurements. We show that the phase and amplitude matching that occurs at the Fano interference between two localized surface plasmon modes in a V-shaped nanoparticle lies at the origin of this effect. A detailed analysis of the V-antenna modeled as a system of two coherent point-dipole sources elucidates the mechanisms that give rise to a tunable experimental directivity as large as 15 dB. The understanding of Fano-based directional scattering opens a way to develop new directional optical antennas for subwavelength color routing and self-referenced directional sensing. In addition, the directionality of these nanoantennas can increase the detection efficiency of fluorescence and surface enhanced Raman scattering.