Strong and Coherent Coupling between Localized and Propagating Phonon Polaritons

Area of Science:

• Solid-state physics
• Nanophotonics
• Materials science

Background:

• Phonon polaritons are hybrid light-matter excitations in polar dielectric materials.
• Localized phonon polaritons have recently been observed in silicon carbide nanoresonators.
• Coupling these localized modes with propagating ones is crucial for advanced applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate strong and coherent coupling between localized and propagating phonon polaritons.
• To explore the potential of silicon carbide nanoresonators for phonon-polaritonics.
• To pave the way for phonon-polariton based coherent circuits.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of silicon carbide nanoresonators designed to host localized modes.
• Utilizing nanoresonators as gratings for phase matching with propagating phonon polaritons.
• Experimental investigation of the coupling dynamics between localized and propagating modes.

Main Results:

• Demonstration of strong and coherent coupling between localized and propagating phonon polaritons.
• Observation of long-lived, optically accessible localized modes.
• Identification of low-loss propagative phonon polaritons bound to the substrate surface.

Conclusions:

• The demonstrated coupling is a significant step towards realizing phonon-polariton based coherent circuits.
• Silicon carbide nanoresonators are promising platforms for manipulating phonon polaritons.
• This work opens new avenues for integrated photonic devices operating with phonon polaritons.