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Infrared Polarizer Based on Direct Coupling to Surface Plasmon Polaritons
Alireza Shahsafi1, Jad Salman1, Bryan E Rubio Perez1
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1415 Engineering Dr., Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States.
Nano Letters
|November 16, 2020
Summary
We developed a novel, inexpensive reflective polarizer using surface plasmon polaritons. This device achieves high extinction ratios and efficiency, demonstrating potential for advanced optical applications.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Traditional polarizers can be expensive or inefficient.
- Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) offer unique light-matter interaction properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and demonstrate a new type of reflective polarizer based on SPP coupling.
- To achieve high extinction ratios and efficiency using a low-cost fabrication method.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical proposal of a polarizer leveraging polarization-dependent coupling to SPPs.
- Experimental realization using nanoporous aluminum oxide fabricated via aluminum anodization.
- Operation demonstrated at a wavelength of 10.6 μm (CO2 laser).
Main Results:
- Calculated extinction ratio of up to 1000 and efficiency of up to 95% for the desired polarization.
- Experimental validation of the nanoporous aluminum oxide polarizer.
- Potential for stacking to achieve ultra-high extinction ratios (10^6 or more).
Conclusions:
- The proposed reflective polarizer based on SPP coupling is a viable, low-cost technology.
- Nanoporous aluminum oxide is a suitable material for fabricating such polarizers.
- The device shows promise for applications requiring high-performance polarization control.
