Xiaowei Li

Integrated plasmonic semi-circular launcher for dielectric-loaded surface plasmon-polariton waveguide

A semi-circular plasmonic launcher integrated with dielectric-loaded surface plasmon-polaritons waveguide (DLSPPW) is proposed and analyzed theoretically, which can focus and efficiently couple the excited surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) into the DLSPPW via the highly matched spatial field distribution with the waveguide mode in the focal plane. By tuning the incident angle or polarization of the illuminating beam, it is shown that the launcher may be conveniently used as a switch or a multiplexer that have potential applications in plasmonic circuitry. Furthermore, from an applicational point of view, it is analyzed how the coupling performance of the launcher can be further improved by employing multiple semi-circular slits.

Experimental demonstration of tunable directional excitation of surface plasmon polaritons with a subwavelength metallic double slit

We demonstrate experimentally the directional excitation of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) on a metal film by a subwavelength double slit under backside illumination, based on the interference of SPPs generated by the two slits. By varying the incident angle, the SPPs can be tunably directed into two opposite propagating directions with a predetermined splitting ratio. Under certain incident angle, unidirectional SPP excitation can be achieved. This compact directional SPP coupler is potentially useful for many on-chip applications. As an example, we show the integration of the double-slit couplers with SPP Bragg mirrors, which can effectively realize selective coupling of SPPs into different ports in an integrated plasmonic chip.

Broadband Hybrid Holographic Multiplexing with Geometric Metasurfaces

An effective way for broadband holographic multiplexing based on geometric metasurfaces is demonstrated by the integration of several recording channels into a single device. Each image can be individually addressed with a unique set of parameters, such as circular polarization, position, and angle. Such a technique paves the way for a wide range of applications related to optical patterning, encryption, and information processing.

Non-spectroscopic refractometric nanosensor based on a tilted slit-groove plasmonic interferometer.

Plasmonic nanosensors are promising for chip-based refractometric detections, most of which are based on spectroscopic monitoring of surface plasmon resonance. Here, we propose a simple non-spectroscopic refractometric sensing scheme based on a plasmonic interferometer integrating a metallic groove array and a tilted nanoslit. Owing to the interference of the directly transmitted light from the nanoslit and that mediated by the surface plasmon polaritons launched from the groove array, high-contrast intensity fringe can be detected under the illumination of monochromatic light. By inspecting the spatial shift of the interference fringe, the refractive index change of the cover analyte can be derived. In our experiment, the interferometer shows a sensitivity up to 5 × 10³ μm/RIU and a figure of merit as high as 250. This sensor shows great potential for low-cost, portable, and high-throughput sensing applications due to its simple, robust, and non-spectroscopic scheme.

Plasmonic leak-free focusing lens under radially polarized illumination

A plasmonic leak-free focusing lens with two asymmetric concentric ring slits under radially polarized illumination is proposed. Each ring slit in the plasmonic lens is designed to generate surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) with a relative initial phase controlled by the ring slit parameters. Through mutual interference of the SPPs with different phases excited by the two concentric ring slits at the output metal?dielectric interface, the field intensity towards the center of the focusing lens can be enhanced while that leaking to the counter-focus direction is effectively suppressed. The optimal parameters of the plasmonic leak-free lens are theoretically obtained by satisfying the above condition and its focusing performance is demonstrated by numerical simulation. Furthermore, a plasmonic leak-free lens with multiple double-slit groups is proposed and discussed, which exhibits a higher energy density at the focusing spot of the output interface.

Selective Diffraction with Complex Amplitude Modulation by Dielectric Metasurfaces

Metasurfaces have attracted extensive interests due to their ability to locally manipulate optical parameters of light and easy integration to complex optical systems. Particularly, metasurfaces can provide a novel platform for splitting and diffracting light into several beams with desired profile, which is in contrast to traditional gratings. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a novel method for generating independently selective diffraction orders. Our method is based on complex amplitude modulation with ultrathin dielectric metasurfaces. By tailoring the geometric parameters of silicon nanofin structures, we can spatially control the geometric and dynamic phase as well as the amplitude simultaneously. We compare the results with a metasurface that uses a phase-only modulation, to verify such selective diffraction can be solely efficiently achieved with complex amplitude modulation. Besides, the diffraction angles of each order have been measured, which are consistent with standard grating theory. Our developed method for achieving selective diffraction with metasurfaces has potential applications in beam shaping, parallel laser fabrication, and nanoscale optical detection.

Anomalous complete opaqueness in a sparse array of gold nanoparticle chains

We report on an anomalous polarization-switching extinction effect in a sparse array of gold nanoparticle chains: under normal incidence of light, the array is almost transparent for one polarization; whereas it is fully opaque (with nearly zero transmittance) for the orthogonal polarization within a narrow band, even though the nanoparticles cover only a tiny fraction (say, 3.5%) of the transparent substrate surface. We reveal that the strong polarization-dependent short-range dipolar coupling and long-range radiative coupling of gold nanoparticles in this highly asymmetric array is responsible for this extraordinary effect.

Near-field plasmonic beam engineering by complex amplitude modulation based on metasurface (Conference Presentation)

Metasurfaces provide great feasibilities for tailoring both propagation waves and surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs). Manipulation of SPPs with arbitrary complex field distribution is an important issue in integrated nanophotonics due to their capability of guiding waves with subwavelength footprint. Here, with metasurface composed of nano aperture arrays, a novel approach is proposed and experimentally demonstrated which can effectively manipulate complex amplitude of SPPs in the near-field regime. Positioning the azimuthal angles of nano aperture arrays and simultaneously tuning their geometric parameters, the phase and amplitude are controlled based on Pancharatnam-Berry phases and their individual transmission coefficients. For the verification of the proposed design, Airy plasmons and axisymmetric Airy beams are generated. The results of numerical simulations and near-field imaging are well consistent with each other. Besides, 2D dipole analysis is also applied for efficient simulations. This strategy of complex amplitude manipulation with metasurface can be used for potential applications in plasmonic beam shaping, integrated optoelectronic systems and surface wave holography.

Near-field plasmonic beam engineering with complex amplitude modulation based on metasurface

Metasurfaces have recently intrigued extensive interest due to their ability to locally manipulate electromagnetic waves, which provide great feasibility for tailoring both propagation waves and surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs). Manipulation of SPPs with arbitrary complex fields is an important issue in integrated nanophotonics due to their capability of guiding waves with subwavelength footprints. Here, an approach with metasurfaces composed of nanoaperture arrays is proposed and experimentally demonstrated which can effectively manipulate the complex amplitude of SPPs in the near-field regime. Tailoring the azimuthal angles of individual nanoapertures and simultaneously tuning their geometric parameters, the phase and amplitude are controlled based on the Pancharatnam-Berry phases and their individual transmission coefficients. For the verification of the concept, Airy plasmons and axisymmetric Airy-SPPs are generated. The results of numerical simulations and near-field imaging are consistent with each other. Besides the rigorous simulations, we applied a 2D dipole analysis for additional analysis. This strategy of complex amplitude manipulation with metasurfaces can be used for potential applications in plasmonic beam shaping, integrated optoelectronic systems, and surface wave holography.Metasurfaces have recently intrigued extensive interest due to their ability to locally manipulate electromagnetic waves, which provide great feasibility for tailoring both propagation waves and surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs). Manipulation of SPPs with arbitrary complex fields is an important issue in integrated nanophotonics due to their capability of guiding waves with subwavelength footprints. Here, an approach with metasurfaces composed of nanoaperture arrays is proposed and experimentally demonstrated which can effectively manipulate the complex amplitude of SPPs in the near-field regime. Tailoring the azimuthal angles of individual nanoapertures and simultaneously tuning their geometric parameters, the phase and amplitude are controlled based on the Pancharatnam-Berry phases and their individual transmission coefficients. For the verification of the concept, Airy plasmons and axisymmetric Airy-SPPs are generated. The results of numerical simulations and near-field imaging are consistent with each...

Nanoscale Polarization Manipulation and Encryption Based on Dielectric Metasurfaces

Manipulating the polarization of light is highly desired for versatile applications ranging from super resolution, optical trapping, to particle acceleration. The enormous freedom in metasurface design motivates the implementation of polarization control in ultrathin and compact optical systems. However, the majority of proposed strategies based on metasurfaces have been demonstrated only a spatially homogeneous polarization generation, while less attention has been devoted to spatially variant inhomogeneous vector beams. Here, we demonstrate a novel method for generating arbitrary radial and azimuthal polarization beams with high efficiencies of up to 80% by utilizing transmission-type dielectric metasurfaces. Polarization conversion metasurfaces are suitable candidates for the implementation of polarization encryption, which we demonstrate by encoding a hidden image into the spatial polarization distribution. In addition, we show that the image pattern can be modified by appropriate polarization selection of the transmitted light. Such a method may provide a practical technique for a variety of applications such as imaging, encryption and anti-counterfeiting.