Xiao-gang Yin

Manipulating optical rotation in extraordinary transmission by hybrid plasmonic excitations

Polarized optical transmission properties through the L-shaped holes array in silver film was investigated at near infrared wavelength. Besides the enhanced transmission due to the combined plasmonic excitations, strong optical rotation was definitely observed at specific polarized incidences. After elaborate analyses, two eigenmodes were clearly characterized as the results of the hybrid localized plasmon resonances. Any polarization states from the incidences will degenerate into these two eigenstates after transmissions, suggesting a practical method to manipulate the polarization of light. Our result demonstrates the giant rotation rate achieved by the nanothin sample, indicating potential applications in the micro-optical devices.

Optical switching of a metamaterial by temperature controlling

We have fabricated a metamaterial of metal/semiconductor/metal sandwich nanostrips structure comprising a pair of gold strips and a vanadium dioxide (VO2) strip. The optical response of the metamaterial has been studied. The results indicate the nanostructure with VO2 strips can be used as a temperature-controlling optical switch and the mechanism of this switch can be explained by the magnetic resonance.

Enhanced optical transmission : Role of the localized surface plasmon

We report the observation of enhanced optical transmission through the metal subwavelength hole arrays with nanoparticle inside the hole, and demonstrate the transmission enhancement and the suppression due to the excitation of the localized surface plasmon (LSP). We interpret this phenomenon with the Fano theory considering the real and imaginary parts of the polarizability of the LSP.

Study of plasmon resonance in a gold nanorod with an LC circuit model

Gold nanorod has generated great research interest due to its tunable longitudinal plasmon resonance. However, little progress has been made in the understanding of the effect. A major reason is that, except for the metallic spheres and ellipsoids, the interaction between light and nanoparticles is generally insoluble. In this paper, a new scheme has been proposed to study the plasmon resonance of gold nanorod, in which the nanorod is modeled as an LC circuit with an inductance and a capacitance. The obtained resonance wavelength is dependent on not only aspect ratio but also rod radius, suggesting the importance of self-inductance and the breakdown of linear scaling. Moreover, the cross sections for light scattering and absorption have been deduced analytically, giving rise to a Lorentzian line-shape for the extinction spectrum. The result provides us with new insight into the phenomenon.

Long-Wavelength Optical Properties of a Plasmonic Crystal

The optical properties of a plasmonic crystal composed of gold nanorod particles have been studied. Because of the strong coupling between the incident light and vibrations of free electrons, the long-wavelength optical properties such as the dielectric abnormality and polariton excitation etc., which were suggested originally in ionic crystals, can also be present in the plasmonic crystal. The results show that the plasmonic and ionic lattices may share a common physics.

Enhanced optical transmission through metal-dielectric multilayer gratings

The optical transmission properties of metal-dielectric multilayer gratings have been investigated both experimentally and numerically. A remarkable transmission resonance, which makes a significant difference from that of traditional single/triple-layer analogs, has been reported. To understand its physical origin, a field-interference mechanism of dipole arrays induced by the lateral and vertical plasmon coupling has been suggested.

Transmission resonance in a composite plasmonic structure

The design, fabrication, and optical properties of a composite plasmonic structure, a two-dimensional array of split-ring resonators inserted into periodic square holes of a metal film, have been reported. A type of transmission resonance, which makes a significant difference from the conventional peaks, has been suggested both theoretically and experimentally. To understand this effect, a mechanism of ring-resonance-induced dipole emission is proposed.

Splitting of transmission peak due to the hole symmetry breaking

We studied experimentally and theoretically the optical transmission through asymmetrical holes of a metal film, which is constructed by introducing small protuberances to the sides of individual square holes. Due to the symmetry breaking of the hole shape, an interesting transmission feature appears: both the Ag-glass (1, 0) and Ag-glass (1, 1) peaks split distinctly. Detailed studies indicate that the peak splitting is actually associated with the two asymmetrical waveguide surface-plasmon (WSP) modes confined on the surface of opposite hole walls. The finding demonstrates the crucial role of WSP modes and enriches our understanding of the phenomenon.

Fanolike resonance due to plasmon excitation in linear chains of metal bumps

We report the transmission anomaly in a modified slit grating, which is dressed, on the slit sidewalls, with the linear chains of metal bumps. An asymmetric lineshape, which is characteristic of the Fano resonance, has been found in a narrow frequency range of the spectrum. The effect can be attributed to the interference between nonresonant background transmission and resonant plasmonic wave excitation in the linear chains. The dispersion of chain plasmon mode has been suggested, enabling the dynamic tuning of spectral position of the Fano effect.

Light reflection from a metal surface with subwavelength cavities

The interaction of light with the localized/delocalized system, i.e., a metal surface with rectangular cavities of finite depth, has been studied. Reflection spectrum has been measured in the optical frequencies, and resonant minima have been observed. We have developed an analytical model, which agrees well with the experiment. The localized waveguide resonance and delocalized surface resonance have been identified and discussed. The results may be useful for manipulating the coupling between light and matters.