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A. Femius Koenderink

Publications and source records attributed to A. Femius Koenderink.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
arXiv2015

Angle-resolved cathodoluminescence imaging polarimetry

Cathodoluminescence spectroscopy (CL) allows characterizing light emission in bulk and nanostructured materials and is a key tool in fields ranging from materials science to nanophotonics. Previously, CL measurements focused on the spectral content and angular distribution of emission, while the polarization was not fully determined. Here we demonstrate a technique to access the full polarization state of the cathodoluminescence emission, that is the Stokes parameters as a function of the emission angle. Using this technique, we measure the emission of metallic bullseye nanostructures and show that the handedness of the structure as well as nanoscale changes in excitation position induce large changes in polarization ellipticity and helicity. Furthermore, by exploiting the ability of polarimetry to distinguish polarized from unpolarized light, we quantify the contributions of different types of coherent and incoherent radiation to the emission of a gold surface, silicon and gallium arsenide bulk semiconductors. This technique paves the way for in-depth analysis of the emission mechanisms of nanostructured devices as well as macroscopic media.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2015

Non-blinking single-photon emitters in silica

Samples for single-emitter spectroscopy are usually prepared by spin-coating a dilute solution of emitters on a microscope cover slip of silicate based glass (such as quartz). Here, we show that both borosilicate glass and quartz contain intrinsic defect colour centres that fluoresce when excited at 532 nm. In a microscope image the defect emission is indistinguishable from spin-coated emitters. The emission spectrum is characterised by multiple peaks, most likely due to coupling to a silica vibration with an energy of 160-180 meV. The defects are single-photon emitters, do not blink, and have photoluminescence lifetimes of a few nanoseconds. Photoluminescence from such defects may previously have been misinterpreted as originating from single nanocrystal quantum dots.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗
arXiv2015

Perturbing open cavities: Anomalous resonance frequency shifts in a hybrid cavity-nanoantenna system

The influence of a small perturbation on a cavity mode plays an important role in fields like optical sensing, cavity quantum electrodynamics and cavity optomechanics. Typically, the resulting cavity frequency shift directly relates to the polarizability of the perturbation. Here we demonstrate that particles perturbing a radiating cavity can induce strong frequency shifts that are opposite to, and even exceed, the effects based on the particles' polarizability. A full electrodynamic theory reveals that these anomalous results rely on a non-trivial phase relation between cavity and nanoparticle radiation, allowing back-action via the radiation continuum. In addition, an intuitive model based on coupled mode theory is presented that relates the phenomenon to retardation. Because of the ubiquity of dissipation, we expect these findings to benefit the understanding and engineering of a wide class of systems.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2015

Angle-resolved polarimetry measurements of antenna-mediated fluorescence

Optical phase-array antennas can be used to control not only the angular distribution but also the polarization of fluorescence from quantum emitters. The emission pattern of the resulting system is determined by the properties of the antenna, the properties of the emitters and the strength of the antenna-emitter coupling. Here we show that Fourier polarimetry can be used to characterize these three contributions. To this end, we measured the angle and Stokes-parameter resolved emission of bullseye plasmon antennas as well as spiral antennas excited by an ensemble of emitters. We estimate the antenna-emitter coupling on basis of the degree of polarization, and determine the effect of anisotropy in the intrinsic emitter orientation on polarization of the resulting emission pattern. Our results not only provide new insights in the behavior of bullseye and spiral antennas, but also demonstrate the potential of Fourier polarimetry when characterizing antenna mediated fluorescence.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2014

Dispersion of guided modes in two-dimensional split ring lattices

We present a semi-analytical point-dipole method that uses Ewald lattice summation to find the dispersion relation of guided plasmonic and bianisotropic modes in metasurfaces composed of 2D periodic lattices of arbitrarily strongly scattering magneto-electric dipole scatterers. This method takes into account all retarded electrodynamic interactions as well as radiation damping selfconsistently. As illustration we analyze the dispersion of plasmon nanorod lattices, and of 2D split ring resonator lattices. Plasmon nanorod lattices support transverse and longitudinal in-plane electric modes. Scatterers that have an in-plane electric and out-of-plane magnetic polarizability, but without intrinsic magnetoelectric coupling, result in two bands that are mixtures of the bands of electric-only and magnetic-only lattices. Thereby bianisotropy through mutual coupling, in absence of building-block bianisotropy, is evident. Once strong bi-anisotropy is included in each building block, the Bloch modes become even more strongly magnetoelectric. Our results are important to understand spatial dispersion and bianisotropy of metasurface and metamaterial designs.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2014

Lasing at the band edges of plasmonic lattices

We report room temperature lasing in two-dimensional diffractive lattices of silver and gold plasmon particle arrays embedded in a dye-doped polymer that acts both as waveguide and gain medium. As compared to conventional dielectric distributed feedback lasers, a central question is how the underlying band structure from which lasing emerges is modified by both the much stronger scattering and the disadvantageous loss of metal. We use spectrally resolved back-focal plane imaging to measure the wavelength- and angle dependence of emission below and above threshold, thereby mapping the band structure. We find that for silver particles, the band structure is strongly modified compared to dielectric reference DFB lasers, since the strong scattering gives large stop gaps. In contrast, gold particles scatter weakly and absorb strongly, so that thresholds are higher, but the band structure is not strongly modified. The experimental findings are supported by finite element and fourier modal method calculations of the single particle scattering strength and lattice extinction.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2013

Optical properties of 2D magnetoelectric point scattering lattices

We explore the electrodynamic coupling between a plane wave and an infinite two-dimensional periodic lattice of magneto-electric point scatterers, deriving a semi-analytical theory with consistent treatment of radiation damping, retardation, and energy conservation. We apply the theory to arrays of split ring resonators and provide a quantitive comparison of measured and calculated transmission spectra at normal incidence as a function of lattice density, showing excellent agreement. We further show angle-dependent transmission calculations for circularly polarized light and compare with the angle-dependent response of a single split ring resonator, revealing the importance of cross coupling between electric dipoles and magnetic dipoles for quantifying the pseudochiral response under oblique incidence of split ring lattices.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2013

Calibrating and Controlling the Quantum Efficiency Distribution of Inhomogeneously Broadened Quantum Rods Using a Mirror Ball

We demonstrate that a simple silver coated ball lens can be used to accurately measure the entire distribution of radiative transition rates of quantum dot nanocrystals. This simple and cost-effective implementation of Drexhage's method that uses nanometer-controlled optical mode density variations near a mirror, not only allows to extract calibrated ensemble-averaged rates, but for the first time also to quantify the full inhomogeneous dispersion of radiative and non radiative decay rates across thousands of nanocrystals. We apply the technique to novel ultra-stable CdSe/CdS dot-in-rod emitters. The emitters are of large current interest due to their improved stability and reduced blinking. We retrieve a room-temperature ensemble average quantum efficiency of 0.87+-0.08 at a mean lifetime around 20 ns. We confirm a log-normal distribution of decay rates as often assumed in literature and we show that the rate distribution-width, that amounts to about 30% of the mean decay rate, is strongly dependent on the local density of optical states.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2013

Plasmonic Antennas Hybridized with Dielectric Waveguides

For the purpose of using plasmonics in an integrated scheme where single emitters can be probed efficiently, we experimentally and theoretically study the scattering properties of single nano-rod gold antennas as well as antenna arrays placed on one-dimensional dielectric silicon nitride waveguides. Using real space and Fourier microscopy correlated with waveguide transmission measurements, we quantify the spectral properties, absolute strength and directivity of scattering. The scattering processes can be well understood in the framework of the physics of dipolar objects placed on a planar layered environment with a waveguiding layer. We use the single plasmonic structures on top of the waveguide as dipolar building blocks for new types of antennas where the waveguide enhances the coupling between antenna elements. We report on waveguide hybridized Yagi-Uda antennas which show directionality in out-coupling of guided modes as well as directionality for in-coupling into the waveguide of localized excitations positioned at the feed element. These measurements together with simulations demonstrate that this system is ideal as a platform for plasmon quantum optics schemes as well as for fluorescence lab-on-chip applications.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2013

Probing the electrodynamic local density of states with magnetoelectric point scatterers

In a scattering experiment, the induced dipole moments of a magnetoelectric point scatterer in response to driving fields are given by its polarizability tensor α. Its linewidth will be dictated by the local density of optical states (LDOS) at the scatterer's position. To retrieve the magnetoelectric cross coupling components of αfor an archetypical magnetoelectric scatterer - a split ring resonator - we study the frequency dependent extinction cross section as a function of distance to an interface. Rather than following a purely electric or purely magnetic LDOS, we find a dependence which reflects the interplay of both dipole moments in a 'mixed' magnetoelectric LDOS. For a strongly magnetoelectric cross-coupled microwave scatterer, we compare analytical point dipole with finite element method calculations.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2013

Gray-Tone Lithography Implementation of Drexhage's Method for Calibrating Radiative and Nonradiative Decay Constants of Fluorophores

We present a straightforward method to realize non-planar dielectric structures with a controlled height profile for use in calibration of fluorophores. Calibration of fluorescence quantum efficiency and intrinsic radiative and nonradiative decay rates of emitters is possible by using changes in the local density of optical states, provided one can control the emitter-surface distance with nanometer accuracy. We realize a method that is accurate yet fast to implement. We fabricate PMMA wedges (4 mm x 4 mm x 2 μm) by gray-tone UV-lithography of Shipley S1813G2. Its applicability as dielectric spacer is demonstrated in Drexhage experiments for three different emitters in the visible and near-infrared wavelength regime. The decay-rate dependence of the fluorescent state of emitters on the distance to a silver mirror is observed and compared to calculations based on the local density of states. Quantitative values for (non)radiative decay rates and quantum efficiencies are extracted. Furthermore, we discuss how Drexhage experiments can help to scrutinize the validity of effective material parameters of metamaterials in the near field regime.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2012

Spontaneous Emission Control in a Tunable Hybrid Photonic System

We experimentally demonstrate control of the rate of spontaneous emission in a tunable hybrid photonic system that consists of two canonical building blocks for spontaneous emission control, an optical antenna and a mirror, each providing a modification of the local density of optical states (LDOS).We couple fluorophores to a plasmonic antenna to create a superemitter with an enhanced decay rate. In a superemitter analog of the seminal Drexhage experiment we probe the LDOS of a nanomechanically approached mirror. Due to the electrodynamic interaction of the antenna with its own mirror image the superemitter traces the inverse LDOS of the mirror, in stark contrast to a bare source, whose decay rate is proportional to the mirror LDOS.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2012

Nanomechanical method to gauge emission quantum yield applied to NV-centers in nanodiamond

We present a technique to nanomechanically vary the distance between a fluorescent source and a mirror, thereby varying the local density of optical states at the source position. Our method can therefore serve to measure the quantum efficiency of fluorophores. Application of our technique to NV defects in diamond nanocrystals shows that their quantum yield can significantly differ from unity. Relying on a lateral scanning mechanism with shear-force probe-sample distance control our technique is straightforwardly implemented in most state-of-the-art near-field microscopes.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2012

Suitability of nanodiamond NV centers for spontaneous emission control experiments

NV centers in diamond are generally recognized as highly promising as indefinitely stable highly efficient single-photon sources. We report an experimental quantification of the brightness, radiative decay rate, nonradiative decay rate and quantum efficiency of single NV centers in diamond nanocrystals. Our experiments show that the commonly observed large spread in fluorescence decay rates of NV centers in nanodiamond is inconsistent with the common explanation of large nanophotonic mode-density variations in the ultra-small high-index crystals at near-unity quantum efficiency. We report that NV centers in 25 nm nanocrystals are essentially insensitive to local density of states (LDOS) variations that we induce at a dielectric interface by using liquids to vary the refractive index, and propose that quantum efficiencies in such nanocrystals are widely distributed between 0% and 20%. For single NV centers in larger 100 nm nanocrystals, we show that decay rate changes can be reversibly induced by nanomechanically approaching a mirror to change the LDOS. Using this scanning mirror method, for the first time we report calibrated quantum efficiencies of NV centers, and show that different but nominally identical nanocrystals have widely distributed quantum efficiencies between 10% and 90%. Our measurements imply that nanocrystals that are to be assembled into hybrid photonic structures for cavity QED should first be individually screened to assess fluorescence properties in detail.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2012

Superemitters in Hybrid Photonic Systems: A Simple Lumping Rule for the Local Density of Optical States and its Break-Down at the Unitary Limit

We theoretically investigate how the enhancement of the radiative decay rate of a spontaneous emitter provided by coupling to an optical antenna is modified when this "superemitter" is introduced into a complex photonic environment that provides an enhanced local density of optical states (LDOS) itself, such as a microcavity. We show that photonic environments with increased LDOS further boost the performance of antennas that scatter weakly, i.e. that are far from the unitary limit, for which a simple multiplicative LDOS lumping rule holds. In contrast, enhancements provided by antennas close to the unitary limit, i.e. antennas close to the limit of maximally possible scattering strength, are strongly reduced by an enhanced LDOS of the environment. Thus, we identify multiple scattering in hybrid photonic systems as a powerful mechanism for LDOS engineering.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2011

Signature of a Fano-resonance in a plasmonic meta-molecule's local density of optical states

We present measurements on plasmonic meta-molecules under local excitation using cathodoluminescence which show a spatial redistribution of the local density of optical states (LDOS) at the same frequency where a sharp spectral Fano-feature in the extinction cross section has been observed. Our analytical model shows that both near- and far-field effects arise due to interference of the same two eigenmodes of the system. We present quantitative insights both in a bare state, and in a dressed state picture that describe plasmonic Fano interference either as near-field amplitude transfer between three coupled bare states, or as interference of two uncoupled eigenmodes in the far field. We identify the same eigenmode causing a dip in extinction to strongly enhance the radiative LDOS, making it a promising candidate for spontaneous emission control.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2011

Coherent single-photon absorption by single emitters coupled to 1D nanophotonic waveguides

We study the dynamics of single-photon absorption by a single emitter coupled to a one-dimensional waveguide that simultaneously provides channels for spontaneous emission decay and a channel for the input photon. We have developed a time-dependent theory that allows us to specify any input single-photon wavepacket guided by the waveguide as initial condition, and calculate the excitation probability of the emitter, as well as the time evolution of the transmitted and reflected field. For single-photon wavepackets with a gaussian spectrum and temporal shape, we obtain analytical solutions for the dynamics of absorption, with maximum atomic excitation $\thicksim 40%$. We furthermore propose a terminated waveguide to aid the single-photon absorption. We find that for an emitter placed at an optimal distance from the termination, the maximum atomic excitation due to an incident single-photon wavepacket can exceed 70%. This high value is a direct consequence of the high spontaneous emission $β$-factor for emission into the waveguide. Finally, we have also explored whether waveguide dispersion could aid single-photon absorption by pulse shaping. For a gaussian input wavepacket, we find that the absorption efficiency can be improved by a further 4% by engineering the dispersion. Efficient single-photon absorption by a single emitter has potential applications in quantum communication and quantum computation.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2011

Coherent single-photon absorption by single emitters coupled to 1D nanophotonic waveguides (Chen, et al.)

We study the dynamics of single-photon absorption by a single emitter coupled to a one-dimensional waveguide that simultaneously provides channels for spontaneous emission decay and a channel for the input photon. We have developed a time-dependent theory that allows us to specify any input single-photon wavepacket guided by the waveguide as initial condition, and calculate the excitation probability of the emitter, as well as the time evolution of the transmitted and reflected field. For single-photon wavepackets with a gaussian spectrum and temporal shape, we obtain analytical solutions for the dynamics of absorption, with maximum atomic excitation $\thicksim 40%$. We furthermore propose a terminated waveguide to aid the single-photon absorption. We find that for an emitter placed at an optimal distance from the termination, the maximum atomic excitation due to an incident single-photon wavepacket can exceed 70%. This high value is a direct consequence of the high spontaneous emission $β$-factor for emission into the waveguide. Finally, we have also explored whether waveguide dispersion could aid single-photon absorption by pulse shaping. For a gaussian input wavepacket, we find that the absorption efficiency can be improved by a further 4% by engineering the dispersion. Efficient single-photon absorption by a single emitter has potential applications in quantum communication and quantum computation.

physics.optics↗