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Integrated plasmonic circuitry on a vertical-cavity surface-emitting semiconductor laser platform.
Cillian P T McPolin1, Jean-Sebastien Bouillard1, Sebastien Vilain1
1Department of Physics, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS, UK.
Nature Communications
|August 6, 2016
Summary
Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) can now act as on-chip sources or detectors for plasmonic signals. This breakthrough enables practical plasmonic circuitry for sensing and optical data storage.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Plasmonics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Integrated plasmonic devices are crucial for sensing, optical processing, and data storage.
- Existing technologies face challenges in practical implementation and miniaturization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) as integrated sources and detectors for plasmonic signals.
- To validate a VCSEL-based platform for on-chip plasmonic functionalities.
Main Methods:
- Experimental demonstration of surface plasmon polariton excitation and waveguiding using VCSELs.
- Optimization of coupling efficiency using asymmetric plasmonic nanostructures.
- Operation of VCSELs in forward and reverse bias for source and detection, respectively.
Main Results:
- Successful excitation, waveguiding, frequency conversion, and detection of plasmonic signals on a VCSEL platform.
- Achieved efficient coupling of VCSEL emission to surface plasmon polariton modes.
- Validated the platform for sub-wavelength field confinement and refractive index sensing.
Conclusions:
- VCSELs offer a viable, electrically driven solution for on-chip plasmonic sources and detectors.
- This integrated platform facilitates practical plasmonic circuitry for diverse applications.
- Enables advancements in on-chip optical communication and lab-on-a-chip devices.
