arXiv subjects

Stefan A. Maier

Publications and source records attributed to Stefan A. Maier.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2021

Dielectric nano-antennas for strain engineering in atomically thin two-dimensional semiconductors

Atomically thin two-dimensional semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) can withstand large levels of strain before their irreversible damage occurs. This unique property offers a promising route for control of the optical and electronic properties of TMDs, for instance by depositing them on nano-structured surfaces, where position-dependent strain can be produced on the nano-scale. Here, we demonstrate strain-induced modifications of the optical properties of mono- and bilayer TMD WSe$_2 $ placed on photonic nano-antennas made from gallium phosphide (GaP). Photoluminescence (PL) from the strained areas of the TMD layer is enhanced owing to the efficient coupling with the confined optical mode of the nano-antenna. Thus, by following the shift of the PL peak, we deduce the changes in the strain in WSe$_2$ deposited on the nano-antennas of different radii. In agreement with the presented theory, strain up to $\approx 1.4 \%$ is observed for WSe$_2$ monolayers. We also estimate that $>3\%$ strain is achieved in bilayers, accompanied with the emergence of a direct bandgap in this normally indirect-bandgap semiconductor. At cryogenic temperatures, we find evidence of the exciton confinement in the most strained nano-scale parts of the WSe$_2$ layers, as also predicted by our theoretical model. Our results, of direct relevance for both dielectric and plasmonic nano-antennas, show that strain in atomically thin semiconductors can be used as an additional parameter for engineering light-matter interaction in nano-photonic devices.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2021

Optical vortices in nanophotonics

In the last two decades, optical vortices carried by twisted light wavefronts have attracted a great deal of interest, providing not only new physical insights into light-matter interactions, but also a transformative platform for boosting optical information capacity. Meanwhile, advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology lead to the emerging field of nanophotonics, offering an unprecedented level of light manipulation via nanostructured materials and devices. Many exciting ideas and concepts come up when optical vortices meet nanophotonic devices. Here, we provide a mini review on recent achievements made in nanophotonics for the generation and detection of optical vortices and some of their applications.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2021

Optically tunable Mie-resonance VO2 nanoantennas for metasurfaces in the visible

Metasurfaces are ultrathin nanostructured surfaces that can allow arbitrary manipulation of light. Implementing dynamic tunability into their design could allow the optical functions of metasurfaces to be rapidly modified at will. The most pronounced and robust tunability of optical properties is provided by phase-change materials such as vanadium dioxide (VO2) and germanium antimony telluride (GST), but their implementations have been limited only to near-infrared wavelengths. Here, we demonstrate that VO2 nanoantennas with widely tunable Mie resonances can be utilized for designing tunable metasurfaces in the visible range. In contrast to the dielectric-metallic phase transition-induced tunability in previous demonstrations, we show that dielectric Mie resonances in VO2 nanoantennas offer remarkable scattering and extinction modulation depths (5-8 dB and 1-3 dB, respectively) for tunability in the visible. Moreover, these strong resonances are optically switchable using a continuous-wave laser. Our results establish VO2 nanostructures as low-loss building blocks of optically tunable metasurfaces.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2020

Ultrabroad-Band Direct Digital Refractive Index Imaging Based on Suspended Graphene Plasmon Cavities

Mid-infrared spectroscopy is essential for chemical identification and compositional analysis, due to the existence of characteristic molecular absorption fingerprints. However, it is very challenging to determine the refractive index of an analyte at low concentrations using current photonic systems in a broad mid-infrared spectral range. We propose an imaging-based nanophotonic technique for refractive index determination. The technique is based on deeply subwavelength graphene plasmon cavities and allows for the retrieval of molecular concentration. This method features a two-dimensional array of suspended graphene plasmon cavities, in which the extremely high field enhancement and extraordinary compression of graphene plasmons can be realized simultaneously by combining shallow and deep cavities. This enables resonant unit cells to be read out in the spatial absorption pattern of the array at multiple spectral points, and the resulting information is then translated into the refractive index of the analytes. The proposed technique gives complementary information compared with the current nanophotonic techniques based on molecular absorption, including the ability of the refractive index measurement, the ultra-broadband measurable spectral range, and the small volume of the analyte required, thereby pushing the potential for refractometric sensing technologies into the infrared frequencies.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2020

Mode-matching enhancement of second-harmonic generation with plasmonic nanopatch antennas

Plasmonic enhancement of nonlinear optical processes confront severe limitations arising from the strong dispersion of metal susceptibilities and small interaction volumes that hamper desirable phase-matching-like conditions. Maximizing nonlinear interactions in nanoscale systems require simultaneous excitation of resonant modes that spatially and constructively overlap at all wavelengths involved in the process. Here, we present a hybrid rectangular patch antenna design for optimal second harmonic generation (SHG) that is characterized by a non-centrosymmetric dielectric/ferroelectric material at the plasmonic hot spot. The optimization of the rectangular patch allows for the independent tuning of various modes of resonances that can be used to enhance the SHG process. We explore the angular dependence of SHG in these hybrid structures and highlight conditions necessary for maximal SHG efficiency. Furthermore, we propose a novel configuration with a periodically-poled ferroelectric layer for orders-of-magnitude enhanced SHG at normal incidence. Such a platform may enable the development of integrated nanoscale light sources and on-chip frequency converters.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2020

Electrical control of single-photon emission in highly-charged individual colloidal quantum dots

Electron transfer to an individual quantum dot promotes the formation of charged excitons with enhanced recombination pathways and reduced lifetimes. Excitons with only one or two extra charges have been observed and exploited for very efficient lasing or single quantum dot LEDs. Here, by room-temperature time-resolved experiments on individual giant-shell CdSe/CdS quantum dots, we show the electrochemical formation of highly charged excitons containing more than twelve electrons and one hole. We report the control over intensity blinking, along with a deterministic manipulation of quantum dot photodynamics, with an observed 210-fold increase of the decay rate, accompanied by 12-fold decrease of the emission intensity, while preserving single-photon emission characteristics. These results pave the way for deterministic control over the charge state, and room-temperature decay-rate engineering for colloidal quantum dot-based classical and quantum communication technologies.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2020

Near- and Far-Field Excitation of Topological Plasmonic Metasurfaces

The breathing honeycomb lattice hosts a topologically non-trivial bulk phase due to the crystalline-symmetry of the system. Pseudospin-dependent edge states which emerge at the interface between trivial and non-trivial regions can be used for directional propagation of energy. Using the plasmonic metasurface as an example system, we probe these states in the near and far-field using a semi-analytical model. We give the conditions under which directionality is observed and show that it is source position dependent. By probing with circularly-polarized magnetic dipoles out of the plane, we first characterize modes along the interface in terms of the enhancement of source emission due to the metasurface. We then excite from the far-field with non-zero orbital angular momentum beams. The position dependent directionality holds true for all classical wave systems with a breathing honeycomb lattice. Our results show that a metasurface in combination with a chiral two-dimensional material could be used to guide light effectively on the nanoscale.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

Size-Selective Optical Printing of Silicon Nanoparticles through Their Dipolar Magnetic Resonance

Silicon nanoparticles possess unique size-dependent optical properties due to their strong electric and magnetic resonances in the visible range. However, their widespread application has been limited, in comparison to other (e.g. metallic) nanoparticles, because their preparation on monodisperse colloids remains challenging. Exploiting the unique properties of Si nanoparticles in nano- and micro-devices calls for methods able to sort and organize them from a colloidal suspension onto specific positions of solid substrates with nanometric precision. Here, we demonstrate that surfactant-free Silicon nanoparticles of a predefined and narrow ($σ$ < 10 nm) size range can be selectively immobilized on a substrate by optical printing from a polydisperse colloidal suspension. The size selectivity is based on differential optical forces that can be applied on nanoparticles of different sizes by tuning the light wavelength to the size-dependent magnetic dipolar resonance of the nanoparticles.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2019

Manipulating Topological Valley Modes in Plasmonic Metasurfaces

The coupled light-matter modes supported by plasmonic metasurfaces can be combined with topological principles to yield subwavelength topological valley states of light. We give a systematic presentation of the topological valley states available for lattices of metallic nanoparticles: All possible lattices with hexagonal symmetry are considered, as well as valley states emerging on a square lattice. Several unique effects which have yet to be explored in plasmonics are identified, such as robust guiding, filtering and splitting of modes, as well as dual-band effects. We demonstrate these by means of scattering computations based on the coupled dipole method that encompass the full electromagnetic interactions between nanoparticles.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Exciting Pseudospin Dependent Edge States in Plasmonic Metasurfaces

We study a plasmonic metasurface that supports pseudospin dependent edge states confined at a subwavelength scale, considering full electrodynamic interactions including retardation and radiative effects. The spatial symmetry of the lattice of plasmonic nanoparticles gives rise to edge states with properties reminiscent of the quantum spin Hall effect in topological insulators. However, unlike the spin-momentum locking characteristic of topological insulators, these modes are not purely unidirectional and their propagation properties can be understood by analysing the spin angular momentum of the electromagnetic field, which is inhomogenous in the plane of the lattice. The local sign of the spin angular momentum determines the propagation direction of the mode under a near-field excitation source. We also study the optical response under far-field excitation and discuss in detail the effects of radiation and retardation.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Nanoscale design of the local density of optical states

We propose a design concept for tailoring the local density of optical states (LDOS) in dielectric nanostructures, based on the phase distribution of the scattered optical fields induced by point-like emitters. First we demonstrate that the LDOS can be expressed in terms of a coherent summation of constructive and destructive contributions. By using an iterative approach, dielectric nanostructures can be designed to effectively remove the destructive terms. In this way dielectric Mie resonators, featuring low LDOS for electric dipoles, can be reshaped to enable enhancements of three orders of magnitude. To demonstrate the generality of the method, we also design nanocavities that enhance the radiated power of a circular dipole, a quadrupole and an arbitrary collection of coherent dipoles. Our concept provides a powerful tool for high-performance dielectric resonators, and affords fundamental insights into light-matter coupling at the nanoscale.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2018

Extraordinarily transparent compact metallic metamaterials

Metals are highly opaque, yet we show that densely packed arrays of metallic nanoparticles can be more transparent to infrared radiation than dielectrics such as germanium, even for arrays that are over 75% metal by volume. Despite strong interactions between the metallic particles, these arrays form effective dielectrics that are virtually dispersion-free, making possible the design of optical components that are achromatic over ultra-broadband ranges of wavelengths from a few microns up to millimetres or more. Furthermore, the local refractive indices may be tuned by altering the size, shape, and spacing of the nanoparticles, allowing the design of gradient-index lenses that guide and focus light on the microscale. The electric field is also strongly concentrated in the gaps between the metallic nanoparticles, and the simultaneous focusing and squeezing of the electric field produces strong `doubly-enhanced' hotspots which could boost measurements made using infrared spectroscopy and other non-linear processes over a broad range of frequencies, with minimal heat production.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2018

Optimizing hot electron harvesting at planar metal-semiconductor interfaces with titanium oxynitride thin films

Understanding metal-semiconductor interfaces is critical to the advancement of photocatalysis and sub-bandgap solar energy harvesting where sub-bandgap photons can be excited and extracted into the semiconductor. In this work, we compare the electron extraction efficiency across Au/TiO2 and titanium oxynitride/TiO2-x interfaces, where in the latter case the spontaneously forming oxide layer (TiO2-x) creates a metal-semiconductor contact. Time-resolved pump-probe spectroscopy is used to study the electron recombination rates in both cases. Unlike the nanosecond recombination lifetimes in Au/TiO2, we find a bottleneck in the electron relaxation in the TiON system, which we explain using a trap-mediated recombination model. Using this model, we investigate the tunability of the relaxation dynamics with oxygen content in the parent film. The optimized film (TiO0.5N0.5) exhibits the highest carrier extraction efficiency, slowest trapping and an appreciable hot electron population reaching the surface oxide. Our results demonstrate the productive role oxygen can play in enhancing electron harvesting and elongating electron lifetimes providing an optimized metal-semiconductor interface using only the native oxide of titanium oxynitride.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Second harmonic generation from strongly coupled localized and propagating phonon-polariton modes

We experimentally investigate second harmonic generation from strongly coupled localized and propagative phonon polariton modes in arrays of silicon carbide nanopillars. Our results clearly demonstrate the hybrid nature of the system's eigenmodes and distinct manifestation of strong coupling in the linear and nonlinear response. While in linear reflectivity the intensity of the two strongly-coupled branches is essentially symmetric and well explained by their respective localized or propagative components, the second harmonic signal presents a strong asymmetry. Analyzing it in detail, we reveal the importance of interference effects between the nonlinear polarization terms originating in the bulk and in the phonon polariton modes, respectively.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

A metal-dielectric parabolic antenna to direct single photons

Quantum emitters radiate light omni-directionally, making it hard to collect and use the generated photons. Here we propose a 3D metal-dielectric parabolic antenna surrounding an individual quantum dot as a source of collimated single photons which can then be easily extracted and manipulated. Our fabrication method relies on a single optically-induced polymerization step, once the selected emitter has been localized by confocal microscopy. Compared to conventional nano-antennas, our geometry does not require near-field coupling and it is therefore very robust against misalignment issues, and minimally affected by absorption in the metal. The parabolic antenna provides one of the largest reported experimental directivities (D=106) and the lowest beam divergences (Θ=13.5 deg), a broadband operation over all the visible and near-IR range, together with more than 96% extraction efficiency, offering a practical advantage for quantum technological applications.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2018

Multiphase strontium molybdate thin films for plasmonic local heating applications

In the search for alternative plasmonic materials SrMoO3 has recently been identified as possessing a number of desirable optical properties. Owing to the requirement for many plasmonic devices to operate at elevated temperatures however, it is essential to characterize the degradation of these properties upon heating. Here, SrMoO3 thin films are annealed in air at temperatures ranging from 75 - 500° C. Characterizations by AFM, XRD, and spectroscopic ellipsometry after each anneal identify a loss of metallic behaviour after annealing at 500° C, together with the underlying mechanism. Moreover, it is shown that by annealing the films in nitrogen following deposition, an additional crystalline phase of SrMoO4 is induced at the film surface, which suppresses oxidation at elevated temperatures.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2017

Stability of Thin Film Refractory Plasmonic Materials Taken to High Temperatures in Air

Materials such as W, TiN, and SrRuO3 (SRO) have been suggested as promising alternatives to Au and Ag in plasmonic applications owing to their refractory properties. However, investigation of the reproducibility of the optical properties after thermal cycling at high operational temperatures is so far lacking. Here, thin films of W, Mo, Ti, TiN, TiON, Ag, Au, and SrRuO3 are investigated to assess their viability for robust refractory plasmonic applications. Films ranging in thickness from 50 - 180 nm are deposited on MgO and Si substrates by RF magnetron sputtering and, in the case of SrRuO3, pulsed laser deposition, prior to characterisation by means of AFM, XRD, spectroscopic ellipsometry, and DC resistivity. Measurements are conducted before and after annealing in air at temperatures ranging from 300 - 1000° C for one hour, to establish the maximum cycling temperature and potential longevity at temperature for each material. It is found that SrRuO3 retains metallic behaviour after annealing at 800° C, however, importantly, the optical properties of TiN and TiON are degraded as a result of oxidation. Nevertheless, both TiN and TiON may be better suited than Au or SRO for high temperature applications operating under vacuum conditions.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2017

Nanoscale mapping and spectroscopy of non-radiative hyperbolic modes in hexagonal boron nitride nanostructures

The inherent crystal anisotropy of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) sustains naturally hyperbolic phonon polaritons, i.e. polaritons that can propagate with very large wavevectors within the material volume, thereby enabling optical confinement to exceedingly small dimensions. Indeed, previous research has shown that nanometer-scale truncated nanocone hBN cavities, with deep subwavelength dimensions, support three-dimensionally confined optical modes in the mid-infrared. Due to optical selection rules, only a few of many such modes predicted theoretically have been observed experimentally via far-field reflection and scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy. The Photothermal induced resonance (PTIR) technique probes optical and vibrational resonances overcoming weak far-field emission by leveraging an atomic force microscope (AFM) probe to transduce local sample expansion due to light absorption. Here we show that PTIR enables the direct observation of previously unobserved, dark hyperbolic modes of hBN nanostructures. Leveraging these optical modes could yield a new degree of control over the electromagnetic near-field concentration, polarization and angular momentum in nanophotonic applications.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗