arXiv subjects

Filippo Capolino

Publications and source records attributed to Filippo Capolino.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

arXiv2016

Photoinduced Magnetic Nanoprobe Excited by Azimuthally Polarized Vector Beam

The concept of magnetic nanoprobes (or magnetic nanoantennas) providing a magnetic near-field enhancement and vanishing electric field is presented and investigated, together with their excitation. It is established that a particular type of cylindrical vector beams called azimuthally electric polarized vector beams yield strong longitudinal magnetic field on the beam axis where the electric field is ideally null. These beams with an electric polarization vortex and cylindrical symmetry are important in generating high magnetic to electric field contrast, i.e., large local field admittance, and in allowing selective excitation of magnetic transitions in matter located on the beam axis. We demonstrate that azimuthally polarized vector beam excitation of a photoinduced magnetic nanoprobe made of a magnetically polarizable nano cluster leads to enhanced magnetic near field with resolution beyond diffraction limit. We introduce two figures of merit as magnetic field enhancement and local field admittance normalized to that of a plane wave that are useful to classify magnetic nanoprobes and their excitation. The performance of magnetic nanoprobe and azimuthal polarized beams is quantified in comparison to other illumination options and with several defect scenarios.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2016

Electric field enhancement with plasmonic colloidal nanoantennas excited by a silicon nitride waveguide

We investigate the feasibility of CMOS-compatible optical structures to develop novel integrated spectroscopy systems. We show that local field enhancement is achievable utilizing dimers of plasmonic nanospheres that can be assembled from colloidal solutions on top of a CMOS-compatible optical waveguide. The resonant dimer nanoantennas are excited by modes guided in the integrated silicon nitride waveguide. Simulations show that 100 fold electric field enhancement builds up in the dimer gap as compared to the waveguide evanescent field amplitude at the same location. We investigate how the field enhancement depends on dimer location, orientation, distance and excited waveguide modes.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2016

Giant Amplification in Degenerate Band Edge Slow-Wave Structures Interacting with an Electron Beam

We propose a new amplification regime based on synchronous operation of four degenerate electromagnetic (EM) modes in a slow-wave structure and the electron beam, referred to as super synchronization. These four EM modes arise in a Fabry-Perot cavity (FPC) when degenerate band edge (DBE) condition is satisfied. The modes interact constructively with the electron beam resulting in superior amplification. In particular, much larger gains are achieved for smaller beam currents compared to conventional structures based on synchronization with only a single EM mode. We demonstrate giant gain scaling with respect to the length of the slow-wave structure compared to conventional Pierce type single mode traveling wave tube amplifiers. We construct a coupled transmission line (CTL) model for a loaded waveguide slow-wave structure exhibiting a DBE, and investigate the phenomenon of giant gain via super synchronization using the Pierce model generalized to multimode interaction.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2016

Low Starting Electron Beam Current in Degenerate Band Edge Oscillators

We propose a new principle of operation in vacuum electron-beam-based oscillators that leads to a low beam current for starting oscillations. The principle is based on super synchronous operation of an electron beam interacting with four degenerate electromagnetic modes in a slow-wave structure (SWS). The four mode super synchronous regime is associated with a very special degeneracy condition in the dispersion diagram of a cold periodic SWS called degenerate band edge (DBE). This regime features a giant group delay in the finitelength SWS and low starting-oscillation beam current. The starting beam current is at least an order of magnitude smaller compared to a conventional backward wave oscillator (BWO) of the same length. As a representative example we consider a SWS conceived by a periodically-loaded metallic waveguide supporting a DBE, and investigate starting-oscillation conditions using Pierce theory generalized to coupled transmission lines (CTL). The proposed super synchronism regime can be straightforwardly adapted to waveguide geometries others than the periodically-loaded waveguide considered here since DBE is a general property that can be realized in a variety of structures.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2015

Giant Gain Enhancement in Photonic Crystals with a Degenerate Band Edge

We propose a new approach leading to giant gain enhancement. It is based on unconventional slow wave resonance associated to a degenerate band edge (DBE) in the dispersion diagram for a special class of photonic crystals supporting two modes at each frequency. We show that the gain enhancement in a Fabry-Perot cavity (FPC) when operating at the DBE is several orders of magnitude stronger when compared to a cavity of the same length made of a standard photonic crystal with a regular band edge (RBE). The giant gain condition is explained by a significant increase in the photon lifetime and in the local density of states. We have demonstrated the existence of DBE operated special cavities that provide for superior gain conditions for solid-state lasers, quantum cascade lasers, traveling wave tubes, and distributed solid state amplifiers. We also report the possibility to achieve low-threshold lasing in FPC with DBE compared to RBE-based lasers.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2015

Photo-induced Magnetic Force Between Nanostructures

Photo-induced magnetic force between nanostructures, at optical frequencies, is investigated theoretically. Till now optical magnetic effects are not used in scanning probe microscopy because of the vanishing natural magnetism with increasing frequency. On the other hand, artificial magnetism in engineered nanostructures led to the development of measurable optical magnetism. Here, two examples of nanoprobes that are able to generate strong magnetic dipolar fields at optical frequency are investigated: first an ideal magnetically polarizable nanosphere and then a circular cluster of silver nanospheres that has a loop-like collective plasmonic resonance equivalent to a magnetic dipole. Magnetic forces are evaluated based on nanostructure polarizabilities, i.e. induced magnetic dipoles, and magnetic-near field evaluations. As an initial assessment on the possibility of a magnetic nanoprobe to detect magnetic forces, we consider two identical magnetically polarizable nanoprobes and observe magnetic forces in the order of piconewtons thereby bringing it within detection limits of conventional atomic force microscopes at ambient pressure and temperature. The detection of magnetic force is a promising method in studying optical magnetic transitions that can be the basis of innovative spectroscopy applications.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2015

Theory and New Amplification Regime in Periodic Multi Modal Slow Wave Structures with Degeneracy Interacting with an Electron Beam

We present the theory of a new amplification regime in Travelling Wave Tubes (TWTs) composed of a slow-wave periodic structure that supports multiple electromagnetic modes that can all be synchronized with the electron beam. The interaction between the multimodal slow-wave structure and the electron beam is quantified using a Multi Transmission Line approach (MTL) based on a generalized Pierce model and transfer matrix analysis leading to the identification of modes with complex Bloch wavenumber. In particular, we address a new possible operation condition for TWTs based on the super synchronism between an electron beam and four modes exhibiting a degeneracy condition near a band edge of the periodic slowwave MTL. We show a phenomenological change in the band structure of periodic MTL where we observe at least two growing modal cooperating solutions as opposed to a uniform MTL interacting with an electron beam where there is rigorously only one growing modal solution. We discuss the advantage of using such a degeneracy condition in TWTs that leads to larger gain conditions in amplifier regimes and also to very lowstarting beam current in high power oscillators.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2015

Silicon Nitride Waveguides for Plasmon Optical Trapping and Sensing Applications

We demonstrate a silicon nitride trench waveguide deposited with bowtie antennas for plasmonic enhanced optical trapping. The sub-micron silicon nitride trench waveguides were fabricated with conventional optical lithography in a low cost manner. The waveguides embrace not only low propagation loss and high nonlinearity, but also the inborn merits of combining micro-fluidic channel and waveguide together. Analyte contained in the trapezoidal trench channel can interact with the evanescent field from the waveguide beneath. The evanescent field can be further enhanced by plasmonic nanostructures. With the help of gold nano bowtie antennas, the studied waveguide shows outstanding trapping capability on 10 nm polystyrene nanoparticles. We show that the bowtie antennas can lead to 60-fold enhancement of electric field in the antenna gap. The optical trapping force on a nanoparticle is boosted by three orders of magnitude. A strong tendency shows the nanoparticle is likely to move to the high field strength region, exhibiting the trapping capability of the antenna. Gradient force in vertical direction is calculation by using a point-like dipole assumption, and the analytical solution matches the full-wave simulation well. The investigation indicates that nanostructure patterned silicon nitride trench waveguide is suitable for optical trapping and nanoparticle sensing applications.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2015

Theory of Optical Leaky-Wave Antenna Integrated in a Ring Resonator for Radiation Control

The integration of a leaky-wave antenna with a ring resonator is presented using analytical guided wave models. The device consists of a ring resonator fed by a directional coupler, where the ring resonator path includes a leaky-wave antenna segment. The resonator integration provides two main advantages: the high-quality factor ensures effective control of radiation intensity by controlling the resonance conditions and the efficient radiation from a leaky-wave antenna even when its length is much smaller than the propagation length of the leaky wave. We devise an analytical model of the guided wave propagation along a directional coupler and the ring resonator path including the antenna and non-radiating segments. The trade-offs regarding the quality factor of resonance and the antenna efficiency of such a design is reported in terms of the coupler parameters, leaky-wave constant and radiation length. Finally a CMOS-compatible OLWA design suitable for the ring resonator integration is designed where Silicon is utilized as the waveguide material for a possible electronic control of radiation intensity. The simulation results together with the analytical model show that slight variations in the leaky-wave's propagation constant, realized through excitation of excess carriers in Si domain, is sufficient to control the far-field radiation modulation with high extinction ratio.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2015

Demonstration of a Degenerate Band Edge in Periodically-Loaded Circular Waveguides

We demonstrate the existence of a special degeneracy condition, called degenerate band edge (DBE), between two Bloch modes in periodically loaded circular all-metallic waveguides at microwave frequencies. The DBE condition has been associated with a dramatic reduction in group velocity and with some unique resonance properties, but it has not been shown in hollow waveguide structures yet. Hence, we show here its existence in two periodic waveguide examples. The unit cell of the first case is composed of a circular waveguide loaded with two inner cylinders with elliptical irises with misaligned angles. The second structure is composed of loading the waveguide with elliptical rings. The demonstration of DBE in those waveguide is explained through a simple multi transmission line approach where the conditions to obtain DBE are clarified, and suggests that the DBE can occur in several other analogous periodic waveguide. These structures can be potentially used to investigate unconventional gain schemes in traveling wave tubes or other kinds of distributed amplifiers and novel pulse compressors.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2015

Experimental demonstration of directive Si3N4 optical leaky wave antenna with semiconductor perturbations at near infrared frequencies

Directive optical leaky wave antennas (OLWAs) with tunable radiation pattern are promising integrated optical modulation and scanning devices. OLWAs fabricated using CMOS-compatible semiconductor planar waveguide technology have the potential of providing high directivity with electrical tunability for modulation and switching capabilities. We experimentally demonstrate directive radiation from a silicon nitride ($Si_3N_4$) waveguide-based OLWA. The OLWA design comprises 50 crystalline Si perturbations buried inside the waveguide, with a period of 1 μm, each with a length of 260 nm and a height of 150 nm, leading to a directive radiation pattern at telecom wavelengths. The measured far-field radiation pattern at the wavelength of 1540 nm is very directive, with the maximum intensity at the angle of 84.4° relative to the waveguide axis and a half-power beam width around 6.2°, which is consistent with our theoretical predictions. The use of semiconductor perturbations facilitates electronic radiation control thanks to the refractive index variation induced by a carrier density change in the perturbations. To assess the electrical modulation capability, we study carrier injection and depletion in Si perturbations, and investigate the Franz-Keldysh effect in germanium as an alternative way. We theoretically show that the silicon wire modulator has a -3 dB modulation bandwidth of 75 GHz with refractive index change of $3\times10^{-4}$ in depletion mode, and 350 MHz bandwidth with refractive index change of $1.5\times10^{-2}$ in injection mode. The Franz-Keldysh effect has the potential to generate very fast modulation in radiation control at telecom wavelengths.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2014

Fano collective resonance as complex mode in a two dimensional planar metasurface of plasmonic nanoparticles

Fano resonances are features in transmissivity/reflectivity/absorption that owe their origin to the interaction between a bright resonance and a dark (i.e., sub-radiant) narrower resonance, and may emerge in the optical properties of planar two-dimensional (2D) periodic arrays (metasurfaces) of plasmonic nanoparticles. In this Letter, we provide a thorough assessment of their nature for the general case of normal and oblique plane wave incidence, highlighting when a Fano resonance is affected by the mutual coupling in an array and its capability to support free modal solutions. We analyze the representative case of a metasurface of plasmonic nanoshells at ultraviolet frequencies and compute its absorption under TE- and TM-polarized, oblique plane-wave incidence. In particular, we find that plasmonic metasurfaces display two distinct types of resonances observable as absorption peaks: one is related to the Mie, dipolar resonance of each nanoparticle; the other is due to the forced excitation of free modes with small attenuation constant, usually found at oblique incidence. The latter is thus an array-induced collective Fano resonance. This realization opens up to manifold flexible designs at optical frequencies mixing individual and collective resonances. We explain the physical origin of such Fano resonances using the modal analysis, which allows to calculate the free modes with complex wavenumber supported by the metasurface. We define equivalent array dipolar polarizabilities that are directly related to the absorption physics at oblique incidence and show a direct dependence between array modal phase and attenuation constant and Fano resonances. We thus provide a more complete picture of Fano resonances that may lead to the design of filters, energy-harvesting devices, photodetectors, and sensors at ultraviolet frequencies.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2014

Generation of Vortex Beams with Strong Longitudinally Polarized Magnetic Field by Using a Metasurface

A novel method of generation and synthesis of azimuthally E-polarized vortex beams is presented. Along the axis of propagation such beams have a strong longitudinally polarized magnetic field where ideally there is no electric field. We show how these beams can be constructed through the interference of Laguerre-Gaussian beams carrying orbital angular momentum. As an example, we present a metasurface made of double-split ring slot pairs and report a good agreement between simulated and analytical results. Both a high magnetic-to-electric-field contrast ratio and a magnetic field enhancement are achieved. We also investigate the metasurface physical constraints to convert a linearly polarized beam into an azimuthally E- polarized beam and characterize the performance of magnetic field enhancement and electric field suppression of a realistic metasurface. These findings are potentially useful for novel optical spectroscopy related to magnetic dipolar transitions and for optical manipulation of particles with spin and orbital angular momentum.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2014

Radiative Emission Enhancement Using Nano-antennas Made of Hyperbolic Metamaterial Resonators

A hyperbolic metamaterial (HM) resonator is analyzed as a nano-antenna for enhancing the radiative emission of quantum emitters in its vicinity. It has been shown that the spontaneous emission rate by an emitter near a hyperbolic metamaterial substrate is enhanced dramatically due to very large density of states. However, enhanced coupling to the free-space, which is central to applications such as solid-state lighting, has not been investigated significantly. Here, we numerically demonstrate approximately 100 times enhancement of the free-space radiative emission at 660 nm wavelength by utilizing a cylindrical HM resonator with a radius of 54 nm and a height of 80 nm on top of an opaque silver-cladded substrate. We also show how the free-space radiation enhancement factor depends on the dipole orientation and the location of the emitter near the subwavelength resonator. Furthermore, we calculate that an array of HM resonators with subwavelength spacings can maintain most of the enhancement effect of a single resonator.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2014

A thin anisotropic metasurface for simultaneous light focusing and polarization manipulation

The possibility of integration of two important categories of optical components, i.e., circular polarizer and lens, into a thin plasmonic metasurface is examined. After exploring general theoretical formulation, optimal designs to realize polarizing lenses at mid-infrared frequencies are presented, for the cases when metal losses cannot be neglected. A two-dimensional array of Y-shaped nanoantennas with polarization dependent and spatially varying phase response is the basis for such a unique compact polarizing lens, whose properties can have a high impact in integrated optics.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2014

Electrodynamic modeling of strong coupling between a metasurface and intersubband transitions in quantum wells

Strong light-matter coupling has recently been demonstrated in sub-wavelength volumes by coupling engineered optical transitions in semiconductor heterostructures (e.g., quantum wells) to metasurface resonances via near fields. It has also been shown that different resonator shapes may lead to different Rabi splittings, though this has not yet been well explained. In this paper, our aim is to understand the correlation between resonator shape and Rabi splitting, and in particular determine and quantify the physical parameters that affect strong coupling by developing an equivalent circuit network model whose elements describe energy and dissipation. Because of the subwavelength dimension of each metasurface element, we resort to the quasi-static (electrostatic) description of the near-field and hence define an equivalent capacitance associated to each dipolar element of a flat metasurface, and we show that this is also able to accurately model the phenomenology involved in strong coupling between the metasurface and the intersubband transitions in quantum wells. We show that the spectral properties and stored energy of a metasurface/quantum-well system obtained using our model are in good agreement with both full-wave simulation and experimental results. We then analyze metasurfaces made of three different resonator geometries and observe that the magnitude of the Rabi splitting increases with the resonator capacitance in agreement with our theory, providing a phenomenological explanation for the resonator shape dependence of the strong coupling process.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2014

Optical Leaky-Wave Antenna Integrated in Ring Resonator

A leaky-wave antenna at optical frequencies is designed and integrated with a ring resonator at 1550 nm wavelength. The leaky wave is generated by using periodic perturbations in the integrated dielectric waveguide that excite the -1 spatial harmonic. The antenna consists of a dielectric waveguides with semiconductor corrugations, and it is compatible with CMOS fabrication technology. We show that integrating the leaky wave antenna in an optical ring resonator that is fed by directional couplers, we can improve the electronic control of the radiation through carrier injection into the semiconductor corrugations.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2013

Novel concept for pulse compression via structured spatial energy distribution

We present a novel concept for pulse compression scheme applicable at RF, microwave and possibly to optical frequencies based on structured energy distribution in cavities supporting degenerate band-edge (DBE) modes. For such modes a significant fraction of energy resides in a small fraction of the cavity length. Such energy concentration provides a basis for superior performance for applications in microwave pulse compression devices (MPC) when compared to conventional cavities. The novel design features: larger loaded quality factor of the cavity and stored energy compared to conventional designs, robustness to variations of cavity loading, energy feeding and extraction at the cavity center, substantial reduction of the cavity size by use of equivalent lumped circuits for low energy sections of the cavity, controlled pulse shaping via engineered extraction techniques. The presented concepts are general, in terms of equivalent transmission lines, and can be applied to a variety of realistic guiding structures.

physics.optics↗