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Spatially and spectrally resolved orbital angular momentum interactions in plasmonic vortex generators.
Jordan A Hachtel1, Sang-Yeon Cho2, Roderick B Davidson3,4,5
11Center for Nanophase Materials Science, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA.
Light, Science & Applications
|March 27, 2019
Summary
Researchers studied plasmonic vortices carrying optical orbital angular momentum (OAM) in nanostructures. They demonstrated OAM coupling in nested nanospirals, enhancing luminescence for potential applications in chiral nanophotonics.
Area of Science:
- Nanophotonics
- Plasmonics
- Quantum Optics
Background:
- Optical orbital angular momentum (OAM) is key for advanced optical applications.
- Near-field electromagnetic interactions in nanostructures are vital for controlling OAM.
- Integrating twisted light into nanotechnology requires understanding these interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate plasmonic vortices carrying OAM in nanospiral structures.
- To analyze the spatial and spectral properties of OAM in these nanostructures.
- To explore the coupling of OAM between nested nanospirals.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing cathodoluminescence (CL) spectroscopy in a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM).
- Fabricating and characterizing nanospiral and nested nanospiral structures.
- Mapping spectral dispersion and analyzing luminescence enhancement.
Main Results:
- Successfully generated and characterized plasmonic vortices with varying topological charges in nanospirals.
- Demonstrated efficient coupling of OAM between concentric, nested nanospirals.
- Observed enhanced luminescence in nanospirals with matching handedness.
Conclusions:
- Nanospiral geometry effectively generates and controls plasmonic vortices.
- OAM coupling in nested chiral nanostructures offers new avenues for optical manipulation.
- These findings highlight potential for sensitive detection and manipulation of optical OAM in nanophotonics.
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