Sangmo Cheon

Nanoscale patterning of colloidal quantum dots on transparent and metallic planar surfaces.

The patterning of colloidal quantum dots with nanometer resolution is essential for their application in photonics and plasmonics. Several patterning approaches, such as the use of polymer composites, molecular lock-and-key methods, inkjet printing and microcontact printing of quantum dots have been recently developed. Herein, we present a simple method of patterning colloidal quantum dots for photonic nanostructures such as straight lines, rings and dot patterns either on transparent or metallic substrates. Sub-10 nm width of the patterned line could be achieved with a well-defined sidewall profile. Using this method, we demonstrate a surface plasmon launcher from a quantum dot cluster in the visible spectrum.

Directional radiation of Babinet-inverted optical nanoantenna integrated with plasmonic waveguide

We present a Babinet-inverted optical nanoantenna integrated with a plasmonic waveguide. Using an integrated nanoantenna, we can couple the plasmon guide mode in a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) structure into the resonant antenna feed directly. The resonantly excited feed slot then radiates to free space and generates a magnetic dipole-like far-field pattern. The coupling efficiency of the integrated nanoantenna is calculated as being approximately 19% using a three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain (3D FDTD) simulation. By adding an auxiliary groove structure along with the feed, the radiation direction can be controlled similar to an optical Yagi-Uda antenna. We also determine, both theoretically and experimentally, that groove depth plays a significant role to function groove structure as a reflector or a director. The demonstrated Babinet-inverted optical nanoantenna integrated with a plasmonic waveguide can be used as a “plasmonic via” in plasmonic nanocircuits.

Nanoscale patterning of colloidal quantum dots for surface plasmon generation

The patterning of colloidal quantum dots with nanometer resolution is essential for their application in photonics and plasmonics. Several patterning approaches, such as the use of polymer composites, molecular lock-and-key methods, inkjet printing, and microcontact printing of quantum dots, have limits in fabrication resolution, positioning and the variation of structural shapes. Herein, we present an adaptation of a conventional liftoff method for patterning colloidal quantum dots. This simple method is easy and requires no complicated processes. Using this method, we formed straight lines, rings, and dot patterns of colloidal quantum dots on metallic substrates. Notably, patterned lines approximately 10 nm wide were fabricated. The patterned structures display high resolution, accurate positioning, and well-defined sidewall profiles. To demonstrate the applicability of our method, we present a surface plasmon generator elaborated from quantum dots.

Tunable Optical Responses of a Graphene-Gold Nanoparticle Composite for Visible Light

Applying Maxwell-Garnett’ s effective medium model, we theoretically study the optical properties of graphene with gold nanoparticles as a function of the particle volume fraction, size of the particles, chemical potential, and temperature. To account for the visible spectrum at energies less than 3 eV, we consider up to the second order of the optical conductivity calculated using the tightbinding model. Randomly distributed gold nanoparticles have a strong influence on the optical responses of graphene, such as its absorption, reflection, and transmission, thus allowing enhanced optoelectronic properties. We find that the composite can be made to serve as a potential tunable photonic material for a reflective optical modulator by controlling the local plasmonic resonance of the nanoparticle, volume fraction, and chemical potential.

Tunable directional radiation of a dipole inside a cuboid slot on a dielectric substrate

Far-field directional radiation of a single dipole in a cuboid slot is investigated in the presence of a dielectric substrate. Due to strong near field coupling between the dipole source and the surfaces of the slot and the dielectric, the far-field radiation shows strongly anisotropic pattern depending on the dipole radiation energy. By tuning local resonances within the air-slot interface or the substrate-slot interface, highly directional radiation either to free space or to the substrate space can be obtained. In the visible spectrum ranging from 1.2 eV to 3.5 eV, up to 18 fold directivity can be obtained. The up-to-down ratio can be tuned from −7.5 dB to 10 dB. We identify induced eigenmodes responsible for highly unidirectional radiations as a function of the emitter spectrum and slot thickness to assess controllability of radiation power and direction.

Patterning of colloidal quantum dots for the generation of surface plasmon

Abstract. Patterning of colloidal quantum dot (QD) of a nanometer resolution is important for potential applications in micro- or nanophotonics. Several patterning techniques such as polymer composites, molecular key-lock methods, inkjet printing, and the microcontact printing of QDs have been successfully developed and applied to various plasmonic applications. However, these methods are not easily adapted to conventional complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible processes because of either limits in fabrication resolutions or difficulties in sub-100-nm alignment. Here, we present an adaptation of a conventional lift-off method for the patterning of colloidal QDs. This simple method can be later applied to CMOS processes by changing electron beam lithography to photolithography for building up photon-generation elements in various planar geometries. Various shapes formed by colloidal QD clusters such as straight lines, rings, and dot patterns with sub-100-nm size could be fabricated. The patterned structures show sub-10-nm positioning with good fluorescence properties and well-defined sidewall profiles. To demonstrate the applicability of our method, we present a surface plasmon generator from a QD cluster.