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Trapping of Micro Particles in Nanoplasmonic Optical Lattice
Published on: September 5, 2017
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Band-edge engineering for controlled multi-modal nanolasing in plasmonic superlattices
Danqing Wang1, Ankun Yang2, Weijia Wang1
1Graduate Program in Applied Physics, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA.
Nature Nanotechnology
|July 11, 2017
Summary
Researchers developed plasmonic superlattices for multi-modal nanolasers, enabling control over multiple lasing modes. This breakthrough allows for tailored light emission and switchable nanolasing behaviors in nanoscale devices.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Nanotechnology
- Plasmonics
- Laser Physics
Background:
- Single band-edge states in optical cavities are crucial for micro/nanolaser feedback.
- Existing cavity designs limit nanolasers to single-mode operation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate multi-modal nanolasing using plasmonic superlattices.
- To enable programmed emission wavelengths and large mode spacings in nanolasers.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of plasmonic superlattices (finite arrays of nanoparticles).
- Modeling nanolasers using a four-level gain system and time-domain analysis.
- Investigating the effect of nanoparticle size and superlattice symmetry.
Main Results:
- Plasmonic superlattices support multiple band-edge modes for multi-modal nanolasing.
- Lasing modes exhibit distinct input-output characteristics and decay dynamics tunable by nanoparticle size.
- Population inversion accumulation is spatially modulated by diffractive coupling.
- Symmetry-broken superlattices allow switchable single-mode or multi-modal nanolasing.
Conclusions:
- Plasmonic superlattices offer a novel platform for advanced nanolaser functionalities.
- Control over multi-modal operation and emission properties is achievable.
- Potential for developing sophisticated tunable and switchable nanoscale light sources.
