Jon R Pugh

Analysis and design of a cross dipole nanoantenna for fluorescence-sensing applications

This paper introduces the novel concept of a cross dipole nanoantenna for use in fluorescence based sensing applications. The dual-arm nature of the cross nanoantenna allows a dual resonant structure to be designed such that the shorter arm resonates with the pump wavelength and the longer arm with the emission wavelength. This is expected to further enhance emission from any fluorescent molecule that can couple to both nanoantenna arms when compared with a singly resonant structure. The paper uses the finite-difference time-domain method to first analyze the two-arm nanoantenna case and then shows how intensity enhancement depends on the antenna geometry and tapering of arms in the antenna gap. The results show that smaller gap sizes always produce larger enhancement compared with lightning rod effects due to tapering. A four-arm cross nanoantenna is then studied, highlighting differences from the two-arm case. Finally, the effect of a diagonally aligned molecule transiting the central gap region is studied. The results show that two hotspots occur on either side of the central gap region when the molecule is aligned perpendicular to the transit direction and only a single central hotspot occurs when the alignment is parallel to the transit direction.

Single lateral mode mid-infrared laser diode using wavelength-scale modulation of the facet reflectivity

The characteristics of mid-infrared laser diodes have been investigated before and after the patterning of sub-wavelength metallic apertures on the emitting facet. Before modification of the facet the emitted spectrum consisted of a large number of peaks associated with different spatial modes, whereas afterwards the spectrum was dominated by a single peak. Simulations showed that the patterning of the facet caused the effective reflectivity to be different for each lateral mode, suggesting that the peak in the measured spectra is associated with the single lateral mode which is most strongly reflected from the modified facet.

Deep-groove nickel gratings for solar thermal absorbers

This paper presents measured and modelled optical absorptance and reflectance for deep-groove nickel nano-gratings in the 450–950 nm wavelength range. The structures have been fabricated using focused ion beam etching and characterised using Fourier spectroscopy and the field distributions on the gratings have been studied using finite difference time domain modelling. Realistic grating structures have been modelled based on focused ion beam cross sections and these results are in good agreement between measured and modelled results. The roles of surface plasmon polaritons and slot modes are highlighted in the strong broadband absorbance that can be achieved with these structures.

Novel high-Q modes in thick 2D photonic crystal slabs

The periodic nature of photonic crystals (PCs) (Yablonovitch 1987 Phys. Rev. Lett. 58 2059?62; John 1987 Phys. Rev. Lett. 58 2486?9) has been extensively exploited for the past quarter of a century using photonic bandgap (PBG) effects to manipulate photons in engineered electromagnetic structures. Structures such as photonic crystal nanocavities are widely considered to be key in realizing future nanoscale optoelectronic devices. These cavities are capable of creating resonant modes with high-quality factor (Q) and small mode volume, in other words a large Purcell factor (Purcell 1946 Phys. Rev. 69 681), and have been widely researched in the two-dimensional photonic crystal slab (PCS) defect cavity configuration (Painter et?al 1999 J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 16 275?85). Here, we demonstrate for the first time how three confinement mechanisms are thought to coincide to give rise to a high-Q resonance for a slab containing a modified L3 defect where the slab thickness is such that the guiding in the slab is no longer single moded (Tandaechanurat et?al 2008 Opt. Express 16 448?55). This is in contrast to the conventional design approach, where the PCS thickness is chosen to be of the order of half a lattice constant to ensure that a PBG exists to confine cavity modes strongly within the slab (Painter et?al 1999 J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 16 275?85; Johnson et?al 1999 Phys. Rev. B 60 5751?8; Khankhoje et?al 2010 Nanotechnology 21 065202). These newly identified high-Q modes can be important in terms of the fabrication of slabs and other devices such as vertical pillars since they allow high-Q factors in thicker and more fabrication tolerant geometries.

Multi-wavelength emission from a single InGaN/GaN nanorod analyzed by cathodoluminescence hyperspectral imaging

Multiple luminescence peaks emitted by a single InGaN/GaN quantum-well(QW) nanorod, extending from the blue to the red, were analysed by a combination of electron microscope based imaging techniques. Utilizing the capability of cathodoluminescence hyperspectral imaging it was possible to investigate spatial variations in the luminescence properties on a nanoscale. The high optical quality of a single GaN nanorod was demonstrated, evidenced by a narrow band-edge peak and the absence of any luminescence associated with the yellow defect band. Additionally two spatially confined broad luminescence bands were observed, consisting of multiple peaks ranging from 395 nm to 480 nm and 490 nm to 650 nm. The lower energy band originates from broad c-plane QWs located at the apex of the nanorod and the higher energy band from the semipolar QWs on the pyramidal nanorod tip. Comparing the experimentally observed peak positions with peak positions obtained from plane wave modelling and 3D finite difference time domain(FDTD) modelling shows modulation of the nanorod luminescence by cavity modes. By studying the influence of these modes we demonstrate that this can be exploited as an additional parameter in engineering the emission profile of LEDs.

Monolithically multi-color lasing from an InGaN microdisk on a Si substrate

An optically pumped multi-color laser has been achieved using an InGaN/GaN based micro-disk with an undercut structure on a silicon substrate. The micro-disk laser has been fabricated by means of a combination of a cost-effective microsphere lithography technique and subsequent dry/wet etching processes. The microdisk laser is approximately 1 μm in diameter. The structure was designed in such a way that the vertical components of the whispering gallery (WG) modes formed can be effectively suppressed. Consequently, three clean lasing peaks at 442 nm, 493 nm and 522 nm have been achieved at room temperature by simply using a continuous-wave diode laser as an optical pumping source. Time–resolved micro photoluminescence (PL) measurements have been performed in order to further confirm the lasing by investigating the excitonic recombination dynamics of these lasing peaks. A three dimensional finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) simulation has been used for the structure design.

Purcell enhancement and focusing effects in plasmonic nanoantenna arrays

This paper presents measured fluorescence results for PMMA dye-coated 5×5 gold plasmonic nanoantenna arrays. We use numerical electromagnetic modeling to show how array size and element spacing can be used to control emitted beam shape and compare this with experimental data. The Friis formula from RF antenna theory is used to calculate the intensity enhancement produced by the array. A figure of merit is then developed, which accounts for the very small mode volume from which the array emission is occurring.

Optical properties and resonant cavity modes in axial InGaN/GaN nanotube microcavities

Microcavities based on group-III nitride material offer a notable platform for the investigation of light-matter interactions as well as the development of devices such as high efficiency light emitting diodes (LEDs) and low-threshold nanolasers. Disk or tube geometries in particular are attractive for low-threshold lasing applications due to their ability to support high finesse whispering gallery modes (WGMs) and small modal volumes. In this article we present the fabrication of homogenous and dense arrays of axial InGaN/GaN nanotubes via a combination of displacement Talbot lithography (DTL) for patterning and inductively coupled plasma top-down dry-etching. Optical characterization highlights the homogeneous emission from nanotube structures. Power-dependent continuous excitation reveals a non-uniform light distribution within a single nanotube, with vertical confinement between the bottom and top facets, and radial confinement within the active region. Finite-difference time-domain simulations, taking into account the particular shape of the outer diameter, indicate that the cavity mode of a single nanotube has a mixed WGM-vertical Fabry-Perot mode (FPM) nature. Additional simulations demonstrate that the improvement of the shape symmetry and dimensions primarily influence the Q-factor of the WGMs whereas the position of the active region impacts the coupling efficiency with one or a family of vertical FPMs. These results show that regular arrays of axial InGaN/GaN nanotubes can be achieved via a low-cost, fast and large-scale process based on DTL and top-down etching. These techniques open a new perspective for cost effective fabrication of nano-LED and nano-laser structures along with bio-chemical sensing applications.

Enhancing the performance of Mid-InfraRed lasers using structured facets

This paper will show how wavelength scale patterning of metallic apertures and gratings on the facet of a Mid-InfraRed Fabry-Perot laser can enhance its performance. In particular improved side mode suppression ratio has been observed and preliminary results for beam shaping and focusing will be shown.

Design and fabrication techniques for a mid-infrared photonic crystal defect cavity in indium antimonide

Simulation results and fabrication details are presented for a two-dimensional Al<inf>x</inf>Ga<inf>y</inf>In<inf>1-x-y</inf>Sb photonic crystal membrane defect cavity. Peak emission is predicted at λ = 3.372 with a Q factor of 26233 for an optimized membrane thickness of 1000 nm.