J. Gómez Rivas

Universal scaling of the figure of merit of plasmonic sensors

We demonstrate an improvement by more than 1 order of magnitude of the figure of merit (FoM) of plasmonic nanoparticle sensors by means of the diffractive coupling of localized surface plasmon resonances. The coupling in arrays of nanoparticles leads to Fano resonances with narrow line widths known as surface lattice resonances, which are very suitable for the sensitive detection of small changes in the refractive index of the surroundings. We focus on the sensitivity to the bulk refractive index and find that the sensor FoM scales solely with the frequency difference between the surface lattice resonance and the diffracted order grazing to the surface of the array. This result, which can be extended to other systems with coupled resonances, enables the design of plasmonic sensors with a high FoM over broad spectral ranges with unprecedented accuracy.

Optical scattering resonances of single and coupled dimer plasmonic nanoantennas

The optical resonances of individual plasmonic dimer antennas are investigated using confocal darkfield spectroscopy. Experiments on an array of antennas with varying arm lengths and interparticle gap sizes show large spectral shifts of the plasmon modes due to a combination of geometrical resonances and plasmon hybridization. The resonances of the coupled-dimer antennas are considerably broadened compared to those of single nanorods, which is attributed to a superradiant damping of the coupled antenna modes. The scattering spectra are compared with electrodynamic model calculations that demonstrate both the near-field and far-field characteristics of a half-wave antenna.

Transmission of THz radiation through InSb gratings of subwavelength apertures

We demonstrate the extraordinary transmission of terahertz THz radiation through gratings of subwavelength apertures structured in indium antimonide InSb. This transmission can be attributed to the tunneling of surface plasmons polaritons which are excited in semiconductors at THz frequencies. By thermally controlling the permittivity of the grating the transmittance increases by more than one order of magnitude. This increase might be associated to the larger the skin depth in InSb at low temperatures, nwhich gives rise to a larger effective size of the apertures.

Coherent and Broadband Enhanced Optical Absorption in Graphene

We experimentally demonstrate a broadband enhancement of the light absorption in graphene over the whole visible spectrum. This enhanced absorption is obtained in a multilayer structure by using an Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) configuration and it is explained in terms of coherent absorption arising from interference and dissipation. The interference mechanism leading to the phenomenon of coherent absorption allows for its precise control by varying the refractive index and/or thickness of the medium surrounding the graphene.

Low-frequency active surface plasmon optics on semiconductors

A major challenge in the development of surface plasmon optics or plasmonics is the active control of the propagation of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs). Here, we demonstrate the feasibility of low-frequency active plasmonics using semiconductors. We show experimentally that the Bragg scattering of terahertz SPPs on a semiconductor grating can be modified by thermal excitation of free carriers. The transmission of SPPs through the grating at certain frequencies can be switched completely by changing the temperature less than 100°C. This semiconductor switch provides a basis for the development of low-frequency surface-plasmon optical devices.

Nanoscale free-carrier profiling of individual semiconductor nanowires by infrared near-field nanoscopy

We report quantitative, noninvasive and nanoscale-resolved mapping of the free-carrier distribution in InP nanowires with doping modulation along the axial and radial directions, by employing infrared near-field nanoscopy. Owing to the techniques capability of subsurface probing, we provide direct experimental evidence that dopants in interior nanowire shells effectively contribute to the local free-carrier concentration. The high sensitivity of s-SNOM also allows us to directly visualize nanoscale variations in the free-carrier concentration of wires as thin as 20 nm, which we attribute to local growth defects. Our results open interesting avenues for studying local conductivity in complex nanowire heterostructures, which could be further enhanced by near-field infrared nanotomography.

All-optical switching of the transmission of electromagnetic radiation through subwavelength apertures.

Unprecedented optical control of the surface plasmon polariton assisted transmission of terahertz radiation through subwavelength apertures is rendered possible by carrier-induced changes to the dielectric properties of a semiconductor grating. Although the study presented is static, the extension of our approach to dynamic switching and tuning is deemed straightforward, opening the way for the realization of ultrafast surface plasmon based devices.

Quantum rod emission coupled to plasmonic lattice resonances: A collective directional source of polarized light

We demonstrate that an array of optical antennas may render a thin layer of randomly oriented semiconductor nanocrystals into an enhanced and highly directional source of polarized light. The array sustains collective plasmonic lattice resonances, which are in spectral overlap with the emission of the nanocrystals over narrow angular regions. Consequently, different photon energies of visible light are enhanced and beamed into definite directions.

Enhanced and directional emission of semiconductor nanowires tailored through leaky/guided modes

Photoluminescence from finite semiconductor nanowires is theoretically investigated, exploring and predicting their antenna-like properties for light emission in a variety of configurations of interest in Nanophotonics. The theoretical analysis is based on the leaky/guided mode dispersion relation for infinite nanowires, which govern the local density of available electromagnetic states. Light emission from finite nanowires is then numerically investigated in various scenarios with regard to its enhancement and directionality. A simple analytical model is derived that, upon tuning leaky/guided mode coupling through dipole position/orientation and nanowire length, allows us to predict their antenna-like behavior and thus to tailor photoluminescence (including magnetic dipole transitions) at will, with regard to both enhancement/inhibition and associated radiation patterns.

Coupling Bright and Dark Plasmonic Lattice Resonances

We demonstrate the coupling of bright and dark surface lattice resonances (SLRs), which are collective Fano resonances in 2D plasmonic crystals. As a result of this coupling, a frequency stop gap in the dispersion relation of SLRs is observed. The different field symmetries of the low- and high-frequency SLR bands lead to pronounced differences in their coupling to free-space radiation. Standing waves of very narrow spectral width compared to localized surface-plasmon resonances are formed at the high-frequency band edge, while subradiant damping onsets at the low-frequency band edge, leading the resonance into darkness. We introduce a coupled-oscillator analog to the plasmonic crystal, which serves to elucidate the physics of the coupled plasmonic resonances and which is used to estimate very high quality factors for SLRs.