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arXiv · 0912.0680

Giant nonlinearity of carbon nanotubes in a photonic metamaterial

Andrey E. Nikolaenko·Francesco De Angelis·Stuart A. Boden·Nikitas Papasimakis·Peter Ashburn·Enzo Di Fabrizio·Nikolay I. Zheludev
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Abstract

Metamaterials, artificial media structured on the subwavelength scale offer a rich paradigm for developing unique photonic functionalities ranging from negative index of refraction and directionally asymmetric transmission to slowing light. Here we demonstrate that a combination of carbon nanotubes with a photonic metamaterial offers a new paradigm for the development of nonlinear media with exceptionally strong ultrafast nonlinear response invaluable in photonic applications. It is underpinned by strong coupling between weakly radiating Fano-type resonant plasmonic modes and the excitonic response of single-walled semiconductor carbon nanotubes. Using a "combinatorial" approach to material discovery we show that the optical response of such a composite system can be tailored and optimized by metamaterial design.

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Andrey E. Nikolaenko, Francesco De Angelis, Stuart A. Boden, Nikitas Papasimakis, Peter Ashburn, Enzo Di Fabrizio, Nikolay I. Zheludev. 2009-12-03. Giant nonlinearity of carbon nanotubes in a photonic metamaterial. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.104.153902

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