Kyookeun Lee

Vector field mapping of local polarization using gold nanoparticle functionalized tips: independence of the tip shape.

We have measured local electric field vectors of local polarizaton on the nanoscale using gold nanoparticle functionalized tips as local field scatterers. In our experiments, the local field induces a dipole-moment in the gold nanoparticle functionalized tip, which then radiates into the far-field, transferring the full information about the local electric field from the near into the far field. The polarization characteristics of the scattered fields are analyzed using a conventional ellipsometry method. The tip dependent scattering function- the polarizability tensor- is fully determined by far field scattering measurements. Once the polarizability tensor for each tip is correctly accounted for in the data analysis, our results show that the finally determined local field polarization vectors are essentially independent of the tip shape.

Optical and terahertz near-field studies of surface plasmons in subwavelength metallic slits

We studied the transmission of the electromagnetic waves through subwavelength slit arrays in terahertz (THz) and optical frequency regions, respectively. In the optical frequency regime, the influences of surface plasmon polaritons on the near-field distribution and on the far-field transmittance are discussed. The near-field electro-optic sampling technique combined with fast Fourier transformation is applied in measuring the THz near-field distribution in time and spectral domains. From these, we discuss the existence of highly confined surface waves in the perfect conductor regime (THz) in comparison with the finite conducting case (visible range) in metallic multi-slit arrays. Our studies provide an integrated view of surface plasmons in the optical regime, and surface-bound waves mimicking surface plasmons in the THz region.

Generation of finite power Airy beams via initial field modulation

We investigate the finite power Airy beams generated by finite extent input beams such as a Gaussian beam, a uniform beam of finite extent, and an inverse Gaussian beam. Each has different propagation behavior: A finite Airy beam generated by a uniform input beam keeps its Airy profile much longer than the conventional finite Airy beam. Also, an inverse Gaussian beam generates a finite Airy beam with a good bent focusing in free space. In this paper, the analysis and experimental results of finite Airy beams are presented.

Surface plasmon polariton detection discriminating the polarization reversal image dipole effects

Image dipole effects are highly dependent on the polarization direction, constructive (destructive) interference between real and image dipoles for the vertically (horizontally) aligned one in the vicinity of metal surfaces, respectively. This polarization-reversal of the image dipole effects is quantitatively investigated by using a gold nanoparticle functionalized tip as a local dipolar scatterer and a propagating surface plasmon polariton as an excitation source of dipoles. The polarization-resolved detection technique is applied to separate the radiations of the vertical and the horizontal dipoles from each other. In our study, the image dipole effects on the far-field detected signals are fully explained by the Fabry-Perot like interference between the radiations from the real and the image dipoles, and by considering the finite size effects of the gold nanoparticle.

Near-field focus steering along arbitrary trajectory via multi-lined distributed nanoslits

The modulation of near-field signals has recently attracted considerable interest because of demands for the development of nano-scale optical devices that are capable of overcoming the diffraction limit of light. In this paper, we propose a new type of tuneable plasmonic lens that permits the foci of surface plasmon polariton (SPP) signals to be continuously steered by adjusting the input polarization state. The proposed structure consists of multi-lined nanoslit arrays, in which each array is tilted at a different angle to provide polarization sensitivity and the nanoslit size is adjusted to balance the relative amplitudes of the excited SPPs from each line. The nanoslits of each line are designed to focus SPPs at different positions; hence, the SPP focal length can be tuned by modifying the incident polarization state. Unlike in previously reported studies, our method enables plasmonic foci to be continuously varied with a smooth change in the incident linear polarization state. The proposed structures provide a novel degree of freedom in the multiplexing of near fields. Such characteristics are expected to enable the realization of active SPP modulation that can be applied in near-field imaging, optical tweezing systems, and integrated nano-devices.

Polarization-Independent Plasmon-Induced Transparency in a Symmetric Metamaterial

We propose a novel mechanism for generating electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in a symmetric metamaterial. The proposed metamaterial consists of double nanorod pairs, perpendicular to each other in the form of a 2-by-2 matrix. This metamaterial shows a polarization-independent EIT-like effect without breaking its symmetry. Since conventional plasmonic EIT metamaterials induce transparency in the transparent window through the coupling between the localized surface plasmon resonance modes, most of existing structures have asymmetric geometry. This limitation means the EIT-like effect can occur only under a particular linearly polarized incident light. The proposed structure, however, has a simple geometry and polarization independence, so it has the potential to be used in high sensitivity sensors and to slow light in the visible spectral range.

Broadband ultrathin circular polarizer at visible and near-infrared wavelengths using a non-resonant characteristic in helically stacked nano-gratings

Modern imaging and spectroscopy systems require to implement diverse functionalities with thin thickness and wide wavelength ranges. In order to meet this demand, polarization-resolved imaging has been widely investigated with integrated circular polarizers. However, the circular polarizers which operate at the entire visible wavelengths and have a thickness of several tens of nanometers have not been developed yet. Here, a circular polarizer, operating at the entire visible wavelength range, is demonstrated using helically stacked aluminum nano-grating layers. High extinction ratio and broad operation bandwidth are simultaneously achieved by using non-resonant anisotropic characteristics of the nano-grating. It is theoretically verified that the averaged extinction ratio becomes up to 8 over the entire visible wavelength range while having a thickness of 390 nm. Also, the feasibility of the proposed structure and circular polarization selectivity at the visible wavelength range are experimentally verified. It is expected that the proposed structure will lead to extreme miniaturization of a circular polarizer and contribute greatly to the development of mobile/wearable imaging systems such as virtual reality and augmented reality displays.

Reflectionless compact plasmonic waveguide mode converter by using a mode-selective cavity

A compact transmissive plasmonic waveguide mode converter which aims for the elimination of reflection and transmission of unconverted mode is proposed. The proposed scheme exploits a cavity formed by mode selective mirrors, which only allows two output modes: the transmission of the target mode and the reflection of the input mode. By appropriately tuning cavity lengths, the reflection of the input mode can also be suppressed to near zero by destructive interference, thereby all the residual outgoing modes are suppressed. The proposed device might be useful in the design of integrated photonic system since it relaxes the problem of unwanted reflection.

Active directional switching of surface plasmon polaritons using a phase transition material

Active switching of near-field directivity, which is an essential functionality for compact integrated photonics and small optoelectronic elements, has been challenging due to small modulation depth and complicated fabrication methods for devices including active optical materials. Here, we theoretically and experimentally realize a nanoscale active directional switching of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) using a phase transition material for the first time. The SPP switching device with noticeable distinction is demonstrated based on the phase transition of vanadium dioxide (VO2) at the telecom wavelength. As the insulator-to-metal phase transition (IMT) of VO2 induces the large change of VO2 permittivity at telecom wavelengths, the plasmonic response of a nanoantenna made of VO2 can be largely tuned by external thermal stimuli. The VO2-insulator-metal (VIM) nanoantenna and its periodic array, the VIM metagrating, are suggested as optical switches. The directional power distinction ratio is designed to change from 8.13:1 to 1:10.56 by the IMT and it is experimentally verified that the ratio changes from 3.725:1 to 1:3.132 as the VIM metagratings are heated up to 90 °C. With an electro-thermally controllable configuration and an optimized resonant design, we expect potential applications of the active switching mechanism for integrable active plasmonic elements and reconfigurable imaging.

Plasmonic achromatic doublet lens

An achromatic doublet lens (ADL) for surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) is designed. Similar to the conventional ADL, the proposed plasmonic ADL is composed of two lens layers with different dispersion relations. Considering these layers as effective media, their refractive indices with respect to the free-space wavelength are calculated. Geometric parameters of the lens are initially set according to the geometrical optic theory, and then optimized by reduced dimensional calculations. The performance of proposed device is verified by using full-wave simulations and compared with a double-convex plasmonic lens to verify its achromatic characteristics. It is shown that the standard deviation of the focal length shift is reduced from 668 nm to 168 nm, after introducing the ADL.