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Dielectric Mie voids: confining light in air
Mario Hentschel1, Kirill Koshelev2, Florian Sterl3
14th Physics Institute and Research Center SCoPE, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany. m.hentschel@physik.uni-stuttgart.de.
Light, Science & Applications
|December 31, 2022
Summary
Researchers demonstrate resonant light confinement in air using dielectric Mie voids. This breakthrough enables enhanced nanoscale optical devices and pushes metasurface operation into the UV spectral range.
Area of Science:
- Nanophotonics
- Metasurfaces
- Optical Sensors
Background:
- Light manipulation at the nanoscale is crucial for metadevices and sensors.
- Current methods rely on resonant confinement in lossy materials.
- A novel strategy is needed for efficient nanoscale light control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally implement resonant subwavelength light confinement in air.
- To investigate the optical properties of voids in dielectric materials.
- To explore applications in nanoscale colour printing and UV-range metasurfaces.
Main Methods:
- Creating resonant Mie voids by focused ion beam milling in silicon wafers.
- Experimental demonstration of light confinement in air-filled voids.
- Characterization of resonant modes down to the UV spectral range (265 nm).
Main Results:
- Demonstrated resonant light confinement in air within dielectric voids.
- Achieved confinement down to 265 nm (UV spectral range).
- Utilized the resulting colors for nanoscale color printing.
Conclusions:
- Resonant Mie voids offer an alternative to lossy dielectric/metal nanophotonics.
- This approach enables high-index metasurfaces to operate in the blue and UV spectral ranges.
- Mie voids significantly expand design possibilities for optical elements and sensing applications.
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