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Updated: Aug 5, 2025
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Spectral and Angle-Resolved Magneto-Optical Characterization of Photonic Nanostructures
Published on: November 21, 2019
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Step-Index (Semi-Immersed) Model for Photonic Nanojet and Experimental Characterization via Near-Field Optical
Tal Elbaz1, Ankit Chauhan1, Aviran Halstuch1
1School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 29, 2023
Summary
Researchers demonstrate a practical method for creating and measuring intense light beams called photonic nanojets (PNJs) and photonic hooks (PHs) using simple fiber optics and microcylinders. This breakthrough enables new applications in imaging and nanolithography.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Optics
- Electromagnetism
Background:
- Experimental challenges like design complexity and low optical throughput have hindered the characterization of photonic nanojets (PNJs) and photonic hooks (PHs).
- Near-field optical microscopy offers a potential solution to overcome these limitations for detecting localized electromagnetic beams.
Purpose of the Study:
- To model and experimentally validate the formation of localized PNJs and PHs in step-index media.
- To demonstrate the feasibility of generating these beams using a practical fiber source and silica microcylinder.
Main Methods:
- Electromagnetic simulations were used to model PNJ and PH formation in step-index media with low refractive index contrast.
- Experimental characterization of a PNJ generated from an optical fiber and its near-fields was performed.
- Comparison of simulation results with experimental data to validate the model.
Main Results:
- PNJ and PH formation was observed in water (n=1.33) with a silica microcylinder (n≈1.1), showing performance comparable to microcylinders in air.
- Experimental and simulation results for the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the PNJ showed excellent agreement with a relative error of 0.64%.
Conclusions:
- A practical and accessible method for realizing and characterizing fiber-based PNJs has been established.
- This system holds significant potential for applications in optics, laser engineering, super-resolution imaging, and nanolithography.
