arXiv subjects

Jeremy J. Baumberg

Publications and source records attributed to Jeremy J. Baumberg.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2017

Mapping nanoscale hotspots with single-molecule emitters assembled into plasmonic nanocavities using DNA origami

Fabricating nanocavities in which optically-active single quantum emitters are precisely positioned, is crucial for building nanophotonic devices. Here we show that self-assembly based on robust DNA-origami constructs can precisely position single molecules laterally within sub-5nm gaps between plasmonic substrates that support intense optical confinement. By placing single-molecules at the center of a nanocavity, we show modification of the plasmon cavity resonance before and after bleaching the chromophore, and obtain enhancements of $\geq4\times10^3$ with high quantum yield ($\geq50$%). By varying the lateral position of the molecule in the gap, we directly map the spatial profile of the local density of optical states with a resolution of $\pm1.5$ nm. Our approach introduces a straightforward non-invasive way to measure and quantify confined optical modes on the nanoscale.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2017

A group theoretical route to deterministic Weyl points in chiral photonic lattices

Classical topological phases derived from point degeneracies in photonic bandstructures show intriguing and unique behaviour. Previously identified exceptional points are based on accidental degeneracies and subject to engineering on a case-by-case basis. Here we show that symmetry induced (deterministic) pseudo Weyl points with non-trivial topology and hyper-conic dispersion exist at the centre of the Brillouin zone of chiral cubic systems. We establish the physical implications by means of a $P2_13$ sphere packing, realised as a nano plasmonic system and a photonic crystal.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2017

Suppressed Quenching and Strong Coupling of Purcell-Enhanced Single-Molecule Emission in Plasmonic Nanocavities

An emitter in the vicinity of a metal nanostructure is quenched by its decay through non-radiative channels, leading to the belief in a zone of inactivity for emitters placed within $<$10nm of a plasmonic nanostructure. Here we demonstrate that in tightly-coupled plasmonic resonators forming nanocavities "quenching is quenched" due to plasmon mixing. Unlike isolated nanoparticles, plasmonic nanocavities show mode hybridization which massively enhances emitter excitation and decay via radiative channels. This creates ideal conditions for realizing single-molecule strong-coupling with plasmons, evident in dynamic Rabi-oscillations and experimentally confirmed by laterally dependent emitter placement through DNA-origami.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2016

A one-piece 3D printed flexure translation stage for open-source microscopy

Open source hardware has the potential to revolutionise the way we build scientific instruments; with the advent of readily-available 3D printers, mechanical designs can now be shared, improved and replicated faster and more easily than ever before. However, printed parts are typically plastic and often perform poorly compared to traditionally machined mechanisms. We have overcome many of the limitations of 3D printed mechanisms by exploiting the compliance of the plastic to produce a monolithic 3D printed flexure translation stage, capable of sub-micron-scale motion over a range of $8\times8\times4\,$mm. This requires minimal post-print clean-up, and can be automated with readily-available stepper motors. The resulting plastic composite structure is very stiff and exhibits remarkably low drift, moving less than $20\,μ$m over the course of a week, without temperature stabilisation. This enables us to construct a miniature microscope with excellent mechanical stability, perfect for timelapse measurements in situ in an incubator or fume hood. The ease of manufacture lends itself to use in containment facilities where disposability is advantageous, and to experiments requiring many microscopes in parallel. High performance mechanisms based on printed flexures need not be limited to microscopy, and we anticipate their use in other devices both within the laboratory and beyond.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2016

Understanding the Plasmonics of Nanostructured Atomic Force Microscopy Tips

Structured metallic tips are increasingly important for optical spectroscopies such as tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS), with plasmonic resonances frequently cited as a mechanism for electric field enhancement. We probe the local optical response of sharp and spherical-tipped atomic force microscopy (AFM) tips using a scanning hyperspectral imaging technique to identify plasmonic behaviour. Localised surface plasmon resonances which radiatively couple with far-field light are found only for spherical AFM tips, with little response for sharp AFM tips, in agreement with numerical simulations of the near-field response. The precise tip geometry is thus crucial for plasmon-enhanced spectroscopies, and the typical sharp cones are not preferred.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2016

Nanoassembly of Polydisperse Photonic Crystals based on Binary and Ternary Polymer Opal Alloys

Ordered binary and ternary photonic crystals, composed of different sized polymer-composite spheres with diameter ratios up to 120%, are generated using bending induced oscillatory shearing (BIOS). This viscoelastic system creates polydisperse equilibrium structures, producing mixed opaline colored films with greatly reduced requirements for particle monodispersity, and very different sphere size ratios, compared to other methods of nano-assembly.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Anomalous spectral shift of near- and far-field plasmonic resonances in nano-gaps

The near-field and far-field spectral response of plasmonic systems are often assumed to be identical, due to the lack of methods that can directly compare and correlate both responses under similar environmental conditions. We develop a widely-tuneable optical technique to probe the near-field resonances within individual plasmonic nanostructures that can be directly compared to the corresponding far-field response. In tightly-coupled nanoparticle-on-mirror constructs with nanometer-sized gaps we find >40meV blueshifts of the near-field compared to the dark-field scattering peak, which agrees with full electromagnetic simulations. Using a transformation optics approach, we show such shifts arise from the different spectral interference between different gap modes in the near- and far-field. The control and tuning of near-field and far-field responses demonstrated here is of paramount importance in the design of optical nanostructures for field-enhanced spectroscopy, as well as to control near-field activity monitored through the far-field of nano-optical devices.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2015

Generalized circuit model for coupled plasmonic systems

We develop an analytic circuit model for coupled plasmonic dimers separated by small gaps that provides a complete account of the optical resonance wavelength. Using a suitable equivalent circuit, it shows how partially conducting links can be treated and provides quantitative agreement with both experiment and full electromagnetic simulations. The model highlights how in the conducting regime, the kinetic inductance of the linkers set the spectral blue-shifts of the coupled plasmon.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2013

Controlling Sub-nm Gaps in Plasmonic Dimers using Graphene

Graphene is used as the thinnest possible spacer between gold nanoparticles and a gold substrate. This creates a robust, repeatable, and stable sub-nanometre gap for massive plasmonic field enhancements. White light spectroscopy of single 80 nm gold nanoparticles reveals plasmonic coupling between the particle and its image within the gold substrate. While for a single graphene layer, spectral doublets from coupled dimer modes are observed shifted into the near infra-red, these disappear for increasing numbers of layers. These doublets arise from plasmonic charge transfer, allowing the direct optical measurement of out-of-plane conductivity in such layered systems. Gating the graphene can thus directly produce plasmon tuning.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2012

Exploiting quantum coherence of polaritons for ultra sensitive detectors

Besides being superfluids, microcavity exciton-polariton condensates are capable of spontaneous pattern formation due to their forced-dissipative dynamics. Their macroscopic and easily detectable response to small perturbations can be exploited to create sensitive devices. We show how controlled pumping in the presence of a peak-dip shaped potential can be used to detect small externally applied velocities which lead to the formation of traveling holes in one dimension and vortex pairs in two dimensions. Combining an annulus geometry with a weak link, the set up that we describe can be used to create a sensitive polariton gyroscope.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2012

Polariton ring condensates and sunflower ripples in an expanding quantum liquid

Optically pumping high quality semiconductor microcavities allows for the spontaneous formation of polariton condensates, which can propagate over distances of many microns. Tightly focussed pump spots here are found to produce expanding incoherent bottleneck polaritons which coherently amplify the ballistic polaritons and lead to the formation of unusual ring condensates. This quantum liquid is found to form a remarkable sunflower-like spatial ripple pattern which arises from self interference with Rayleigh-scattered coherent polariton waves in the Cerenkov regime.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2011

Oriented polaritons in strongly-coupled asymmetric double quantum well microcavities

Replacing independent single quantum wells inside a strongly-coupled semiconductor microcavity with double quantum wells produces a special type of polariton. Using asymmetric double quantum wells in devices processed into mesas allows the alignment of the electron levels to be voltage-tuned. At the resonant electronic tunnelling condition, we demonstrate that `oriented polaritons' are formed, which possess greatly enhanced dipole moments. Since the polariton-polariton scattering rate depends on this dipole moment, such devices could reach polariton lasing, condensation and optical nonlinearities at much lower threshold powers.

cond-mat.other↗