A. Dereux

Thermo-optic plasmo-photonic mode interference switches based on dielectric loaded waveguides

We demonstrate an efficient thermo-optic dielectric loaded surface plasmon polariton waveguide (DLSPPW) 2u2009×u20092 switch using a high thermo-optic coefficient polymer and a dual mode interference configuration. Unlike previous configurations relying on single-mode waveguide circuitry, the switch we consider is based on the interference between a plasmonic and a low-damping photonic mode of the DLSPPW, thus leading to the minimization of insertion losses of the device. Switching extinction ratios of 7u2009dB are measured for a compact 119u2009μm-long device. The overall device performances are in good agreement with numerical simulations performed using the beam propagation method.

Purcell factor for a point-like dipolar emitter coupled to a two-dimensional plasmonic waveguide

(Received 1 June 2011; published 11 August 2011)We theoretically investigate the spontaneous emission of a point-like dipolar emitter located near a two-dimensional plasmonic waveguide of arbitrary form. We invoke an explicit link with the density of modes of thewaveguide describing the electromagnetic channels into which the emitter can couple. We obtain a closed formexpressionforthecouplingtopropagativeplasmon,extendingthusthePurcellfactortoplasmonicconfigurations.Radiative and nonradiative contributions to the spontaneous emission are also discussed in detail.DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.84.073403 PACS number(s): 42

Energy transfer in near-field optics.

When the probe tip of a near-field optical microscope illuminates nanoparticles with marked absorption bands, a large number of photons are absorbed before reaching the detector. These energy losses enhance the dark contrast usually observed in the vicinity of metallic nanoparticles. We demonstrate theoretically that this phenomenon can be exploited to image, in the optical frequency range, dissipative domains with a nanometer scale resolution. Simulations performed with noble-metal particles indicate that the detected signal significantly drops down when the excitation frequency is approaching the plasmon resonance of the particles.

Plasmonic Purcell factor and coupling efficiency to surface plasmons. Implications for addressing and controlling optical nanosources

The Purcell factor F p is a key quantity in cavity quantum electrodynamics (cQED) that quantifies the coupling rate between a dipolar emitter and a cavity mode. Its simple form

Mie Plasmons: Modes Volumes, Quality Factors, and Coupling Strengths (Purcell Factor) to a Dipolar Emitter

{F}_{{rm{p}}}propto Q/V

Surface plasmon routing in dielectric-loaded surface plasmon polariton waveguides

unravels the possible strategies to enhance and control light–matter interaction. Practically, efficient light–matter interaction is achieved thanks to either (i) high quality factor Q at the basis of cQED or (ii) low modal volume V at the basis of nanophotonics and plasmonics. In the last decade, strong efforts have been done to derive a plasmonic Purcell factor in order to transpose cQED concepts to the nanocale, in a scale-law approach. In this work, we discuss the plasmonic Purcell factor for both delocalized (SPP) and localized (LSP) surface-plasmon-polaritons and briefly summarize the expected applications for nanophotonics. On the basis of the SPP resonance shape (Lorentzian or Fano profile), we derive closed form expression for the coupling rate to delocalized plasmons. The quality factor factor and modal confinement of both SPP and LSP are quantified, demonstrating their strongly subwavelength behavior.

Parametric study of dielectric loaded surface plasmon polariton add-drop filters for hybrid silicon/plasmonic optical circuitry

Using either quasistatic approximation or exact Mie expansion, we characterize the localized surface plasmons supported by a metallic spherical nanoparticle. We estimate the quality factor and define the effective volume of the th mode in such a way that coupling strength with a neighbouring dipolar emitter is proportional to the ratio (Purcell factor). The role of Joule losses, far-field scattering, and mode confinement in the coupling mechanism is introduced and discussed with simple physical understanding, with particular attention paid to energy conservation.

SUBWAVELENGTH OPTICAL DEVICES FOR NANOMETER SCALE APPLICATIONS

Waveguiding by dielectric-loaded surface plasmon-polaritons (DLSPP) structures are numerically and experimentally investigated. We used the effective index model to understand the influence of basic waveguide parameters such as width and thickness on the properties of the surface plasmon guided modes. A waveguide was fabricated and experimentally studied. The effective indices of the modes supported by the waveguide and their propagation length are evaluated by leakage radiation microscopy in both the Fourier and imaging planes. Several excitation schemes were tested including surface plasmon coupling by diascopic or episcopic illumination as well as defectmediated excitation of guided modes. We found good agreement between theoretical values predicted by the effective index model and experimental values deduced from leakage radiation images.

A directional coupling scheme for efficient coupling between Si3N4 photonic and hybrid slot-based plasmonic waveguides

Surface plasmons polaritons are electromagnetic waves propagating along the surface of a conductor. Surface plasmons photonics is a promising candidate to satisfy the constraints of miniaturization of optical interconnects. This contribution reviews an experimental parametric study of dielectric loaded surface plasmon waveguides ring resonators and add-drop filters within the perspective of the recently suggested hybrid technology merging plasmonic and silicon photonics on a single board (European FP7 project PLATON Merging Plasmonic and Silicon Photonics Technology towards Tb/s routing in optical interconnects). Conclusions relevant for dielectric loaded surface plasmon switches to be integrated in silicon photonic circuitry will be drawn. They rely on the opportunity offered by plasmonic circuitry to carry optical signals and electric currents through the same thin metal circuitry. The heating of the dielectric loading by the electric current enables to design low foot-print thermo-optical switches driving the optical signal flow.

Co-integrating plasmonics with Si3N4 photonics towards a generic CMOS compatible PIC platform for high-sensitivity multi-channel biosensors: the H2020 PlasmoFab approach (Conference Presentation)

Recent progress in near-field optics instrumentation led to a new class of subwavelength optical experiments in which it is intended to use either the optical tunnel effect (OTE) or the lower mode based transmission (LMBT) in order to control the optical transfer between several delocalized detection or injection centers. This paper presents a panel of new theoretical and experimental results computed or observed near various dielectric or metallic patterns, linear, curved, or dashed, integrated in coplanar geometry. In particular, we demonstrate, how an efficient control of light evanescent waves can allow structures of subwavelength cross sections to be addressed.