arXiv subjects

Costanza Toninelli

Publications and source records attributed to Costanza Toninelli.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2017

Beaming light from a quantum emitter with a planar optical antenna

The efficient interaction of light with quantum emitters is crucial to most applications in nano and quantum photonics, such as sensing or quantum information processing. Effective excitation and photon extraction are particularly important for the weak signals emitted by a single atom or molecule. Recent works have introduced novel collection strategies, which demonstrate that large efficiencies can be achieved by either planar dielectric antennas combined with high numerical-aperture objectives or optical nanostructures that beam emission into a narrow angular distribution. However, the first approach requires the use of elaborate collection optics, while the latter is based on accurate positioning of the quantum emitter near complex nanoscale architectures; hence, sophisticated fabrication and experimental capabilities are needed. Here, we present a theoretical and experimental demonstration of a planar optical antenna that beams light emitted by a single molecule, which results in increased collection efficiency at small angles without stringent requirements on the emitter position. The proposed device exhibits broadband performance and is spectrally scalable, and it is simple to fabricate and therefore applies to a wide range of quantum emitters. Our design finds immediate application in spectroscopy, quantum optics and sensing.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2015

Robust luminescence of the silicon-vacancy center in diamond at high temperatures

We performed high-temperature luminescence studies of silicon-vacancy color centers obtained by ion implantation in single crystal diamond. We observed reduction of the integrated fluorescence upon increasing temperature, ascribable to a transition channel with an activation energy of 180 meV that populates a shelving state. Nonetheless, the signal decreased only 50% and 75% with respect to room temperature at 500 K and 700 K, respectively. In addition, the color center is found highly photostable at temperatures exceeding 800 K. The luminescence of this color center is thus extremely robust even at large temperatures and it holds promise for novel diamond-based light-emitting devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

Deducing effective light transport parameters in optically thin systems

We present an extensive Monte Carlo study on light transport in optically thin slabs, addressing both axial and transverse propagation. We completely characterize the so-called ballistic-to-diffusive transition, notably in terms of the spatial variance of the transmitted/reflected profile. We test the validity of the prediction cast by diffusion theory, that the spatial variance should grow independently of absorption and, to a first approximation, of the sample thickness and refractive index contrast. Based on a large set of simulated data, we build a freely available look-up table routine allowing reliable and precise determination of the microscopic transport parameters starting from robust observables which are independent of absolute intensity measurements. We also present the Monte Carlo software package that was developed for the purpose of this study.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2015

Diffusion of light in semitransparent media

Light diffusion is usually associated with thick, opaque media. Indeed, multiple scattering is necessary for the onset of the diffusive regime and such condition is generally not met in almost transparent media. Nonetheless, at long enough times, transport in an infinite thin slab is still determined by a multiple scattering process whose complete characterization is lacking. In this paper we show that, after a short transient, the mean square width of the transmitted intensity still exhibits a simple linear increase with time as predicted by diffusion theory, even at optical thickness as low as one. Interestingly, such linear growth is predicted not to depend neither on the slab thickness nor on its refractive index contrast, yet the accuracy of this simple approximation in the ballistic-to-diffusive regime hasn't been investigated so far. By means of Monte Carlo simulations, we find clear evidence that boundary conditions play an active role in redefining the very asymptotic value of the diffusion coefficient by directly modifying the statistical distributions underlying light transport in such media. In this respect, we demonstrate the need to distinguish between a set of intrinsic and effective transport parameters, whose relation and interplay with boundary conditions remains to be fully understood.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2015

Electro-mechanical control of an optical emitter using graphene

Active, in situ control of light at the nanoscale remains a challenge in modern physics and in nanophotonics in particular. A promising approach is to take advantage of the technological maturity of nano-electromechanical systems (NEMS) and to combine it with on-chip optics. However, in scaling down the dimensions of such integrated devices, the coupling of a NEMS to optical fields becomes challenging. Despite recent progress in nano-optomechanical coupling, active control of optical fields at the nanoscale has not been achieved with an on-chip NEMS thus far. Here, we show a new type of hybrid system, which consists of an on-chip graphene NEMS suspended a few tens of nanometers above nitrogen-vacancy centres (NVC), which are stable single photon emitters embedded in nano-diamonds. Electromechanical control of the photons emitted by the NVC is provided by electrostatic tuning of the graphene NEMS position, which is transduced to a modulation of NVC emission intensity. The optomechanical coupling between the graphene displacement and the NVC emission is based on near-field dipole-dipole interaction. This class of optomechanical coupling increases strongly for smaller distances, making it suitable for devices with nanoscale dimensions. These achievements hold promise for the selective control of single-emitter arrays on chip, optical spectroscopy of individual nano-objects, integrated optomechanical information processing and quantum optomechanics.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Key components for nano-assembled plasmon-excited single molecule non-linear devices

Tremendous enhancement of light-matter interaction in plasmon-excited molecular hybrid devices allows for non-linearities on the level of single emitters and few photons. This promises a plethora of novel applications like single photon transistors. Nevertheless, building the components of such devices is technologically extremely challenging. We tackle this task by lithographically fabricating on-chip plasmonic waveguides, efficiently connected to far-field in- and out-coupling ports via low-loss dielectric waveguides. Furthermore, a nano-assembling technology is developed, enabling the controlled coupling of single organic emitters to the plasmonic waveguides. Dibenzoterrylene fluorescent molecules hosted in anthracene crystals are investigated for this purpose. Here we present all key-components and technologies for a plasmon-excited single molecule non-linear device.

physics.optics↗