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Dielectric Metasurface as a Platform for Spatial Mode Conversion in Nanoscale Waveguides
David Ohana1, Boris Desiatov1, Noa Mazurski1
1Department of Applied Physics, The Benin School of Engineering and Computer Science, The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem , Jerusalem, 91904, Israel.
Nano Letters
|December 15, 2016
Summary
We developed a nanoscale mode converter using dielectric metasurfaces for efficient coupling between optical modes in silicon waveguides. This technology enables high-purity mode conversion and has potential for integrated photonic and plasmonic devices.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Integrated photonics relies on efficient manipulation of light modes.
- Existing mode converters often face limitations in size and efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally demonstrate a nanoscale mode converter for coupling transverse electric-like modes in silicon-on-insulator waveguides.
- To explore the use of dielectric metasurfaces for mode conversion and its extension to photonic-plasmonic coupling.
Main Methods:
- Design and numerical analysis using 3D finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulations.
- Fabrication of a nanoscale dielectric metasurface with etched silicon features.
- Experimental characterization using optical imaging microscopy to measure modal content.
Main Results:
- Achieved coupling between the first two transverse electric-like modes with 95% mode purity.
- Demonstrated transmission as high as 88% relative to an unperturbed waveguide.
- Numerically demonstrated photonic to plasmonic mode conversion and potential for other plasmonic mode couplings.
Conclusions:
- Nanoscale dielectric metasurface-based mode converters are feasible and efficient.
- This technology serves as a key building block for future nanoscale photonic and plasmonic integrated devices.
- The platform can be adapted for various on-chip optical components like splitters and couplers.
