Q-Han Park

Enhanced light extraction from GaN-based light-emitting diodes with holographically generated two-dimensional photonic crystal patterns

We observed a significant enhancement in light output from GaN-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in which two-dimensional photonic crystal (PC) patterns were integrated. Two-dimensional square-lattice air-hole array patterns with a period that varied from 300 to 700 nm were generated by laser holography. Unlike the commonly utilized electron-beam lithographic technique, the holographic method can make patterns over a large area with high throughput. The resultant PC-LED devices with a pattern period of ∼500nm had more than double the output power, as measured from the top of the device. The experimental observations are qualitatively consistent with the results of three-dimensional finite-difference-time-domain simulation.

Active terahertz nanoantennas based on VO2 phase transition.

Unusual performances of metamaterials such as negative index of refraction, memory effect, and cloaking originate from the resonance features of the metallic composite atom(1-6). Indeed, control of metamaterial properties by changing dielectric environments of thin films below the metallic resonators has been demonstrated(7-11). However, the dynamic control ranges are still limited to less than a factor of 10,(7-11) with the applicable bandwidth defined by the sharp resonance features. Here, we present ultra-broad-band metamaterial thin film with colossal dynamic control range, fulfilling present day research demands. Hybridized with thin VO(2) (vanadium dioxide) (12-18) films, nanoresonator supercell arrays designed for one decade of spectral width in terahertz frequency region show an unprecedented extinction ratio of over 10000 when the underlying thin film experiences a phase transition. Our nanoresonator approach realizes the full potential of the thin film technology for long wavelength applications.

Single nanowire on a film as an efficient SERS-active platform.

Fabricating well-defined and highly reproducible platforms for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is very important in developing practical SERS sensors. We report a novel SERS platform composed of a single metallic nanowire (NW) on a metallic film. Optical excitation of this novel sandwich nanostructure provides a line of SERS hot spots (a SERS hot line) at the gap between the NW and the film. This single nanowire on a film (SNOF) architecture can be easily fabricated, and the position of hot spots can be conveniently located in situ by using an optical microscope during the SERS measurement. We show that high-quality SERS spectra from benzenethiol, brilliant cresyl blue, and single-stranded DNA can be obtained on a SNOF with reliable reproducibility, good time stability, and excellent sensitivity, and thus, SNOFs can potentially be employed as effective SERS sensors for label-free biomolecule detection. We also report detailed studies of polarization- and material-dependent SERS enhancement of the SNOF structure.

Polyhedral Au Nanocrystals Exclusively Bound by {110} Facets : The Rhombic Dodecahedron

The rhombic dodecahedral Au nanocrystals enclosed by 12 {110} facets could be readily prepared without the use of any seeds, surfactants, or foreign metal ions but only with N,N-dimethylformamide as both reductant and solvent.

Fourier-transform terahertz near-field imaging of one-dimensional slit arrays: mapping of electric-field-, magnetic-field-, and Poynting vectors

We present 2D measurements of the full THz electric field behind a sample consisting of multiple slits in a metal foil. Our measurements, which have a sub-wavelength spatial, and a sub-period temporal resolution, reveal electric field lines, electric field vortices and saddle points. From our measurements we are able to reconstruct the magnetic field and, finally, the position and time-dependent Poynting vector which shows the flow of energy behind the sample. Our results show that it is possible to study the flow of light near sub-wavelength plasmonic structures such as slit-arrays and, by implication, other metamaterial samples.

Lagrangian formulation of symmetric space sine-Gordon models

Abstract The symmetric space sine-Gordon models arise by conformal reduction of ordinary 2-dim σ-models, and they are integrable exhibiting a black-hole type metric in target space. We provide a Lagrangian formulation of these systems by considering a triplet of Lie groups F ⊃ G ⊃ H . We show that for every symmetric space F G , the generalized sine-Gordon models can be derived from the G H WZW action, plus a potential term that is algebraically specified. Thus, the symmetric space sine-Gordon models describe certain integrable perturbations of coset conformal field theories at the classical level. We also briefly discuss their vacuum structure, Backlund transformations, and soliton solutions.

Shape resonance omni-directional terahertz filters with near-unity transmittance

Terahertz transmission filters have been manufactured by perforating metal films with various geometric shapes using femtosecond laser machining. Two dimensional arrays of square, circular, rectangular, c-shaped, and epsilon-shaped holes all support over 99% transmission at specific frequencies determined by geometric shape, symmetry, polarization, and lattice constant. Our results show that plasmonic structures with different geometric shaped holes are extremely versatile, dependable, easy to control and easy to make terahertz filters.

Optical antennas and plasmonics

Optical antenna is a nanoscale miniaturisation of radio or microwave antennas that is also governed by the rule of plasmonics. We introduce various types of optical antenna and make an overview of recent developments in optical antenna research. The role of local and surface plasmons in optical antenna is explained through antenna resonance and resonance conditions for specific metal structures are explicitly obtained. A strong electric field is shown to exist within a highly localised region of optical antennas such as antenna feed gap or apertures. We describe physical properties of field enhancement in apertures (circular and rectangular holes) and gaps (infinite slit and feed gap), as well as experimental techniques measuring enhanced electric vector field. We discuss the analogies and differences between conventional and optical antennas with a projection for future developments.

Advanced terahertz electric near-field measurements at sub-wavelength diameter metallic apertures

Using terahertz-light excitation, we have measured with sub-wavelength spatial, and sub-cycle temporal resolution the time- and frequency-dependent electric-field and surface-charge density in the vicinity of small metallic holes. In addition to a singularity like concentration of the electric field near the hole edges, we observe, that holes can act as differential operators whose near-field output is the time-derivative of the incident electric field. Our results confirm the well-known predictions made by Bouwkamp, Philips Res. Rep. 5, 321-332 (1950), and reveal, with unprecedented detail, what physically happens when light passes through a small hole.

Control of surface plasmon generation efficiency by slit-width tuning

We demonstrate control of surface plasmon polariton (SPP) generation efficiency via varying the width of a single slit that acts as a SPP launcher. Generated SPP intensities are directly measured through a near-field scanning microscope measuring both the transmitted and the scattered light. These results demonstrate enhancement as well as suppression of surface plasmon generation efficiency at specific slit widths. The experimentally observed sinusoidal width dependence can be explained by diffraction theory.