Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 25, 2026
07:39
Determination of the Excitation and Coupling Rates Between Light Emitters and Surface Plasmon Polaritons
Published on: July 21, 2018
7.3K
Tunable surface plasmon polaritons in a Weyl semimetal waveguide
S Oskoui Abdol1, A Soltani Vala1, B Abdollahipour1
1Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Tabriz, Tabriz 51666-16471, Iran.
Summary
Novel asymmetric structures in Weyl semimetals enable unidirectional surface plasmon polariton propagation. These findings pave the way for advanced optical devices utilizing tailored topological properties.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Photonics
Background:
- Weyl semimetals exhibit unique topological properties due to their anomalous band structure.
- Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) are electromagnetic waves coupled to electron oscillations on metal surfaces.
- Slot waveguides offer a platform for confining and guiding SPPs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate novel features of SPPs in slot waveguides made of Weyl semimetals.
- To explore asymmetric structures for nonreciprocal SPP propagation.
- To analyze hybrid configurations for unique SPP behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical investigation of SPP dispersion relations in Weyl semimetal slot waveguides.
- Analysis of symmetric (Voigt-Voigt, Faraday-Faraday) and asymmetric configurations.
- Study of a hybrid Voigt-Faraday configuration.
Main Results:
- Symmetric configurations exhibit bidirectional SPP propagation.
- Asymmetric structures demonstrate significant nonreciprocal dispersion and unidirectional SPP propagation.
- The hybrid Voigt-Faraday configuration supports unidirectional SPPs above the bulk plasmon frequency and exhibits combined Voigt-Faraday features.
- Waveguide thickness and chemical potential are identified as key tuning parameters.
Conclusions:
- Weyl semimetal slot waveguides offer tunable control over SPP propagation.
- Asymmetric and hybrid configurations enable unprecedented control over SPP directionality.
- The findings have potential applications in optical devices requiring unidirectional signal transmission.
Related Concept Videos
01:16Surface Tension and Surface Energy
3.2K
When a paint brush is immersed in water, the bristles wave freely inside the water. When it is taken out, the bristles stick together. The reason behind this effect is surface tension.
Consider a beaker filled with liquid. The bulk molecules in the liquid experience equal attractive forces on all sides with the surrounding molecules. However, the surface molecules experience a net attractive force downward due to the bulk molecules. The surface of the liquid behaves like a stretched membrane,...
Consider a beaker filled with liquid. The bulk molecules in the liquid experience equal attractive forces on all sides with the surrounding molecules. However, the surface molecules experience a net attractive force downward due to the bulk molecules. The surface of the liquid behaves like a stretched membrane,...
3.2K
01:14Wood Surfacing
351
Wood surfacing is a critical finishing process designed to smoothen the wood surface, enhance its dimensional accuracy, and make handling safer. This process compensates for potential shrinkage during the seasoning phase by marginally increasing the wood dimensions before surfacing. It also helps correct some distortions that may occur as the wood dries.
The equipment used in the surfacing process is a plane equipped with rotating blades. This tool efficiently smoothens the wood surface and can...
The equipment used in the surfacing process is a plane equipped with rotating blades. This tool efficiently smoothens the wood surface and can...
351
01:21Cell-surface Signaling
54.0K
Hormones—or any molecule that binds to a receptor, known as a ligand—that are lipid-insoluble (water-soluble) are not able to diffuse across the cell membrane. In order to be able to affect a cell without entering it, these hormones bind to receptors on the cell membrane. When a first messenger, a hormone, binds to a receptor, a signal cascade is set off, causing second messengers, proteins inside the cell, to become activated, resulting in downstream effects.
54.0K
01:23Surface Appendages of Archaea
623
Archaeal surface appendages are highly specialized structures essential for environmental adaptation, encompassing roles in adhesion, biofilm formation, and motility. Among these appendages, pili and archaella stand out for their distinct morphologies and functionalities, enabling archaea to thrive in diverse and often extreme environments.Pili: Adhesion and Biofilm FormationPili are filamentous structures assembled from pilin protein subunits, primarily contributing to adhesion and biofilm...
623
01:18Surface Membrane Barriers
2.7K
The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
2.7K
01:16Response Surface Methodology
638
Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is a collection of statistical and mathematical techniques used to develop, improve, and optimize processes. It is particularly valuable when many input variables or factors potentially influence a response variable.
The process of RSM involves several key steps:
The process of RSM involves several key steps:
638