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Characterisation of a micrometer-scale active plasmonic element by means of complementary computational and
Ciarán Barron1, Giulia Di Fazio1, Samuel Kenny1
1School of Physics, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology
|February 6, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed an active plasmonic element for photonic devices, controlling optical properties with electrical current. This breakthrough enables precise modulation of electromagnetic fields for advanced optical applications.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Plasmonics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Active plasmonic elements are crucial for future photonic devices.
- Modulating optical constants locally offers external control over electromagnetic fields.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate an active plasmonic element for modulating optical constants.
- To characterize the element's response using optical and thermal measurements.
- To enable external control over electromagnetic near and far fields.
Main Methods:
- Utilized enhanced surface plasmon resonance in a Kretschmann configuration.
- Employed a lock-in amplifier to detect dynamic reflectivity changes from Joule heating.
- Applied scanning Joule expansion microscopy to measure thermal expansion.
- Integrated optical and thermal data with finite element method simulations.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated current-induced modulation of optical constants via Joule heating.
- Quantified changes in reflectivity sensitive to input current.
- Mapped localized temperature distributions and optical constant modulation.
- Validated experimental findings with finite element method simulations.
Conclusions:
- The active plasmonic element provides a viable method for modulating optical properties.
- Dual optical and thermal characterization effectively probes the element's behavior.
- Simulations aid in optimizing designs for enhanced modulation depth and localization.
