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Metal-Dielectric Polarization-Preserving Anisotropic Mirror for Chiral Optical Tamm State
Natalya V Rudakova1,2, Rashid G Bikbaev1,2, Pavel S Pankin1,2
1Kirensky Institute of Physics, Federal Research Center KSC SB RAS, 660036 Krasnoyarsk, Russia.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 21, 2022
Summary
Researchers numerically show a chiral optical Tamm state can be excited at an interface using a cholesteric liquid crystal and a metasurface-conjugated mirror. This structure enables fewer mirror layers while maintaining a high Q-factor, suggesting use in vertically emitting lasers.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Nanomaterials
- Liquid Crystal Optics
- Metasurface Applications
Background:
- Chiral optical Tamm states are exotic surface-bound electromagnetic modes.
- Cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) exhibit unique chiral photonic properties.
- Metasurfaces offer advanced control over light-matter interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the excitation of a chiral optical Tamm state at a CLC-metasurface interface.
- To investigate the role of a metasurface in optimizing the structure for optical applications.
- To explore the potential of this structure in developing novel laser devices.
Main Methods:
- Numerical simulations were employed to model the optical response of the proposed structure.
- The structure consists of a cholesteric liquid crystal interfaced with a polarization-preserving anisotropic mirror enhanced by a metasurface.
- The Q-factor and localization properties of the optical Tamm state were analyzed.
Main Results:
- The study successfully demonstrated the possibility of exciting a chiral optical Tamm state.
- The integration of a metasurface significantly reduced the required number of layers in the anisotropic mirror (by over two times).
- The Q-factor of the localized state was maintained despite the reduction in mirror layers.
Conclusions:
- The proposed CLC-metasurface hybrid structure provides an efficient platform for chiral optical Tamm states.
- Metasurfaces offer a pathway to miniaturize and enhance optical components.
- The developed structure holds promise for applications in vertically emitting lasers.
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