Zhihui He

Formation and evolution mechanisms of plasmon-induced transparency in MDM waveguide with two stub resonators

We demonstrate the realization of plasmonic analog of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in a system composing of two stub resonators side-coupled to metal-dielectric-metal (MDM) waveguide. Based on the coupled mode theory (CMT) and Fabry-Perot (FP) model, respectively, the formation and evolution mechanisms of plasmon-induced transparency by direct and indirect couplings are exactly analyzed. For the direct coupling between the two stub resonators, the FWHM and group index of transparent window to the inter-space are more sensitive than to the width of one cut, and the high group index of up to 60 can be achieved. For the indirect coupling, the formation of transparency window is determined by the resonance detuning, but the evolution of transparency is mainly attributed to the change of coupling distance. The consistence between the analytical solution and finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations verifies the feasibility of the plasmon-induced transparency system. It is also interesting to notice that the scheme is easy to be fabricated and may pave the way to highly integrated optical circuits.

Combined theoretical analysis for plasmon-induced transparency in waveguide systems.

We propose a novel combination of a radiation field model and the transfer matrix method (TMM) to demonstrate plasmon-induced transparency (PIT) in bright-dark mode waveguide structures. This radiation field model is more effective and convenient for describing direct coupling in bright-dark mode resonators, and is promoted to describe transmission spectra and scattering parameters quantitatively in infinite element structures by combining it with the TMM. We verify the correctness of this novel combined method through numerical simulation of the metal-dielectric-metal (MDM) waveguide side-coupled with typical bright-dark mode, H-shaped resonators; the large group index can be achieved in these periodic H-shaped resonators. These results may provide a guideline for the control of light in highly integrated optical circuits.

Plasmon-induced transparency in a single multimode stub resonator

We investigate electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT)-like effect in a metal-dielectric-metal (MDM) waveguide coupled to a single multimode stub resonator. Adjusting the geometrical parameters of the stub resonator, we can realize single or double plasmon-induced transparency (PIT) windows in the plasmonic structure. Moreover, the consistency between analytical results and finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulations reveals that the PIT results from the destructive interference between resonance modes in the stub resonator. Compared with previous EIT-like scheme based on MDM waveguide, the plasmonic system takes the advantages of easy fabrication and compactness. The results may open up avenues for the control of light in highly integrated optical circuits.

Uniform theoretical description of plasmon-induced transparency in plasmonic stub waveguide

We investigate a classic analog of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in a metal-dielectric-metal (MDM) bus waveguide coupled to two stub resonators. A uniform theoretical model, for both direct and indirect couplings between the two stubs, is established to study spectral features in the plasmonic stub waveguide, and the theoretical results agree well with the finite difference time domain simulations. Adjusting phase difference and coupling strength of the interaction, one can realize the EIT-like phenomena and achieve the required slow light effect. The theoretical results may provide a guideline for the control of light in highly integrated optical circuits.

Sensing analysis based on plasmon induced transparency in nanocavity-coupled waveguide

We report the sensing characteristic based on plasmon induced transparency in nanocavity-coupled metal-dielectric-metal waveguide analytically and numerically. A simple model for the sensing nature is first presented by the coupled mode theory. We show that the coupling strength and the resonance detuning play important roles in optimizing the sensing performance and the detection limit of sensor, and an interesting double-peak sensing is also obtained in such plasmonic sensor. In addition, the specific refractive index width of the dielectric environment is discovered in slow-light sensing and the relevant sensitivity can be enhanced. The proposed model and findings provide guidance for fundamental research of the integrated plasmonic nanosensor applications and designs.

Slow light based on plasmon-induced transparency in dual-ring resonator-coupled MDM waveguide system

We report a theoretical and numerical investigation of the plasmon-induced transparency (PIT) effect in a dual-ring resonator-coupled metal–dielectric–metal waveguide system. A transfer matrix method (TMM) is introduced to analyse the transmission and dispersion properties in the transparency window. A tunable PIT is realized in a constant separation design. The phase dispersion and slow-light effect are discussed in both the resonance and non-resonance conditions. Finally, a propagation constant based on the TMM is derived for the periodic system. It is found that the group index in the transparency window of the proposed structure can be easily tuned by the period p, which provides a new understanding, and a group index ∼51 is achieved. The quality factor of resonators can also be effective in adjusting the dispersion relation. These observations could be helpful to fundamental research and applications for integrated plasmonic devices.

Tunable Multi-switching in Plasmonic Waveguide with Kerr Nonlinear Resonator

We propose a nanoplasmonic waveguide side-coupled with bright-dark-dark resonators in our paper. A multi-oscillator theory derived from the typical two-oscillator model, is established to describe spectral features as well as slow-light effects in bright-dark-dark structures, and confirmed by the finite-difference time domain (FDTD). That a typical plasmon induced transparency (PIT) turns to double PIT spectra is observed in this waveguide structure. At the same time, multi-switching effects with obvious double slow-light bands based on double PIT are also discovered in our proposed structure. What’s more, dynamically tuning the multi-switching is achieved by means of filling Fabry-Perot resonators with the Kerr nonlinear material Ag-BaO. These results may have applications in all-optical devices, moreover, the multi-oscillator theory may play a guiding role in designing plasmonic devices.

Tunable nanoplasmonic sensor based on the asymmetric degree of Fano resonance in MDM waveguide

We first report a simple nanoplasmonic sensor for both universal and slow-light sensing in a Fano resonance-based waveguide system. A theoretical model based on the coupling of resonant modes is provided for the inside physics mechanism, which is supported by the numerical FDTD results. The revealed evolution of the sensing property shows that the Fano asymmetric factor p plays an important role in adjusting the FOM of sensor, and a maximum of ~4800 is obtained when p = 1. Finally, the slow-light sensing in such nanoplasmonic sensor is also investigated. It is found that the contradiction between the sensing width with slow-light (SWS) and the relevant sensitivity can be resolved by tuning the Fano asymmetric factor p and the quality factor of the superradiant mode. The presented theoretical model and the pronounced features of this simple nanoplasmonic sensor, such as the tunable sensing and convenient integration, have significant applications in integrated plasmonic devices.

High-Sensitivity Sensing Based on Plasmon-Induced Transparency

High-sensitivity sensing based on plasmon-induced transparency (PIT) in a rectangular resonator has been investigated in detail. Multimode theory is introduced to explain the redshift and blueshift of the transmission spectrum by adjusting a structural parameter (w or h). In sensing applications, the sensitivity of the proposed structure is about 800 nm/RIU, and its figure of merit (FOM) is as high as 17280. In addition, the influences of structural parameters on FOM are researched in detail. The results indicate that structural parameters play important roles in optimizing the sensing performance, and the length (h) is more sensitive than the width (w) for FOM. The plasmonic configuration has the advantages of easy fabrication and compactness, which may find important applications in highly integrated optics devices, optical communication, and sensitive nanometer-scale refractive index sensors.

Theoretical analysis of ultrahigh figure of merit sensing in plasmonic waveguides with a multimode stub

We propose an expanded coupled mode theory to analyze sensing performance in a plasmonic slot waveguide side-coupled with a multimode stub resonator. It is confirmed by the finite-difference time-domain simulations. Through adjusting the parameters, we can realize figure of merit (FOM) of ∼59,010, and the sensitivity S can reach to 75.7. Compared with the plasmonic waveguide systems in recent Letters, our proposed structure has the advantages of easy fabrication, compactness, sensitivity, and high FOM. The proposed theory model and findings provide guidance for fundamental research of the integrated plasmonic nanosensor applications.