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Viktor A. Podolskiy

Publications and source records attributed to Viktor A. Podolskiy.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
arXiv2008

Hyper-gratings: nanophotonics in planar anisotropic metamaterials

We present a technique capable of producing subwavelength focal spots in the far-field of the source in planar non-resonant structures. The approach combines the diffraction gratings that generate the high-wavevector-number modes and planar slabs of homogeneous anisotropic metamaterials that propagate these waves and combine them at the subwavelength focal spots. In a sense, the technique combines the benefits of Fresnel lens, near-field zone plates, hyperlens, and superlens, and at the same time resolves their fundamental limitations. Several realizations of the proposed technique for visible, near-IR, and mid-IR frequencies are proposed, and their performance is analyzed theoretically and numerically. Generalization of the developed approach for sub-diffractional on-chip photonics is suggested.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2008

Scattering-free plasmonic optics with anisotropic metamaterials

We develop an approach to utilize anisotropic metamaterials to solve one of the fundamental problems of modern plasmonics -- parasitic scattering of surface waves into free-space modes, opening the road to truly two-dimensional plasmonic optics. We illustrate the developed formalism on examples of plasmonic refractor and plasmonic crystal, and discuss limitations of the developed technique and its possible applications for sensing and imaging structures, high-performance mode couplers, optical cloaking structures, and dynamically reconfigurable electro-plasmonic circuits.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2007

Far field imaging by a planar lens: diffraction versus superresolution

We resolve the long standing controversy regarding the imaging by a planar lens made of left-handed media and demonstrate theoretically that its far field image has a fundamentally different origin depending on the relationship between losses {inside} the lens and the wavelength of the light $λ$. At small enough $λ$ the image is always governed by diffraction theory, and the resolution is independent of the absorption if both Im$ε\ll 1$ and Im$μ\ll 1$. For any finite $λ$, however, a critical absorption exists below which the superresolution regime takes place, though this absorption is extremely low and can hardly be achieved. We demonstrate that the transition between diffraction limited and superresolution regimes is governed by {the} universal parameter combining absorption, wavelength, and lens thickness. Finally, we show that this parameter is related to the resonant excitation of the surface plasma waves.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2007

Active metamaterials: sign of refraction index and gain-assisted dispersion management

We derive an approach to define the causal direction of the wavevector of modes in optical metamaterials, which in turn, determines signs of refractive index and impedance as a function of {\it real and imaginary} parts of dielectric permittivity and magnetic permeability. We use the developed technique to demonstrate that the interplay between resonant response of constituents of metamaterials can be used to achieve efficient dispersion management. Finally we demonstrate broadband dispersion-less index and impedance matching in active nanowire-based negative index materials. Our work opens new practical applications of negative index composites for broadband lensing, imaging, and pulse-routing.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2007

Non-local effects in effective medium response of nano-layered meta-materials

We analyze electromagnetic modes in multi-layered nano-composites and demonstrate that the response of a majority of realistic layered structures is strongly affected by the non-local effects originating from strong field oscillations across the system, and is not described by conventional effective-medium theories. We develop the analytical description of the relevant phenomena and confirm our results with numerical solutions of Maxwell equations. Finally, we use the developed formalism to demonstrate that multi-layered plasmonic nanostructures support high-index volume modes, confined to deep subwavelength areas, opening a wide class of applications in nanoscale light management.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2007

Metamaterial Coatings for Broadband Asymmetric Mirrors

We report on design and fabrication of nano-composite metal-dielectric thin film coatings with high reflectance asymmetries. Applying basic dispersion engineering principles to model a broadband and large reflectance asymmetry, we obtain a model dielectric function for the metamaterial film, closely resembling the effective permittivity of disordered metal-dielectric nano-composites. Coatings realized using disordered nanocrystalline silver films deposited on glass substrates confirm the theoretical predictions, exhibiting symmetric transmittance, large reflectance asymmetries and a unique flat reflectance asymmetry.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2006

Nanowire metamaterials with extreme optical anisotropy

We study perspectives of nanowire metamaterials for negative-refraction waveguides, high-performance polarizers, and polarization-sensitive biosensors. We demonstrate that the behavior of these composites is strongly influenced by the concentration, distribution, and geometry of the nanowires, derive an analytical description of electromagnetism in anisotropic nanowire-based metamaterials, and explore the limitations of our approach via three-dimensional numerical simulations. Finally, we illustrate the developed approach on the examples of nanowire-based high energy-density waveguides and non-magnetic negative index imaging systems with far-field resolution of one-sixth of vacuum wavelength.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2006

Gain-assisted slow to superluminal group velocity manipulation in nano-waveguides

We study the energy propagation in subwavelength waveguides and demonstrate that the mechanism of material gain, previously suggested for loss compensation, is also a powerful tool to manipulate dispersion and propagation characteristics of electromagnetic pulses at the nanoscale. We show theoretically that the group velocity in lossy nano-waveguides can be controlled from slow to superluminal values by the material gain and waveguide geometry and develop an analytical description of the relevant physics. We utilize the developed formalism to show that gain-assisted dispersion management can be used to control the transition between ``photonic-funnel'' and ``photonic-compressor'' regimes in tapered nano-waveguides. The phenomenon of strong modulation of group velocity in subwavelength structures can be realized in waveguides with different geometries, and is present for both volume and surface-modes.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2005

Meta-material photonic funnels for sub-diffraction light compression and propagation

We present waveguides with photonic crystal cores, supporting energy propagation in subwavelength regions with a mode structure similar to that in telecom fibers. We design meta-materials for near-, mid-, and far-IR frequencies, and demonstrate efficient energy transfer to and from regions smaller than 1/25-th of the wavelength. Both positive- and negative-refractive index light transmissions are shown. Our approach, although demonstrated here in circular waveguides for some specific frequencies, is easily scalable from optical to IR to THz frequency ranges, and can be realized in a variety of waveguide geometries. Our design may be used for ultra high-density energy focusing, nm-resolution sensing, near-field microscopy, and high-speed all-optical computing.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2005

Optimizing the Superlens: manipulating geometry to enhance the resolution

We analyze the performance of a planar lens based on realistic negative index material in a generalized geometry. We demonstrate that the conventional superlens design (where the lens is centered between the object and the image) is not optimal from the resolution point-of-view, develop an analytical expression for the resolution limit of a generalized lens, use it to find the optimum lens configuration, and calculate the maximum absorption practical nearfield superlenses may have. We demonstrate that in contrast to the conventional superlens picture, planar imaging is typically accompanied by excitation of surface waves at both interfaces of the lens.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2005

Non-magnetic nano-composites for optical and infrared negative refraction index media

We develop an approach to use nanostructured plasmonic materials as a non-magnetic negative-refractive index system at optical and near-infrared frequencies. In contrast to conventional negative refraction materials, our design does not require periodicity and thus is highly tolerant to fabrication defects. Moreover, since the proposed materials are intrinsically non-magnetic, their performance is not limited to proximity of a resonance so that the resulting structure has relatively low loss. We develop the analytical description of the relevant electromagnetic phenomena and justify our analytic results via numerical solutions of Maxwell equations.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2004

Resonant light interaction with plasmonic nanowire systems

We compare the optical response of isolated nanowires, double-wire systems, and Pi-structures, and show that their radiation is well described in terms of their electric and magnetic dipole moments. We also show that both dielectric permittivity and magnetic permeability can be negative at optical and near infrared frequencies, and demonstrate the connection between the geometry of the system and its resonance characteristics. We conclude that plasmonic nanowires can be employed for developing novel negative-index materials. Finally, we demonstrate that it is possible to construct a nanowire-based "transparent nanoresonator" with dramatically enhanced intensity and metal concentration below 5 %.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2004

Near-sighted superlens

We consider the problem of subwavelength imaging via a slab of a left handed media (LHM) in the presence of material losses. We derive the expression for the resolution limit of LHM-based lens and demonstrate that the area of its subwavelength performance is usually limited to the near-field zone.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2004

Non-magnetic left-handed material

We develop a new approach to build a material with negative refraction index. In contrast to conventional designs which make use of a resonant behavior to achieve a non-zero magnetic response, our material is intrinsically non-magnetic and relies on an anisotropic dielectric constant to provide a left-handed response in waveguide geometry. We demonstrate that the proposed material can support surface (polariton) waves, and show the connection between polaritons and the enhancement of evanescent fields, also referred to as super-lensing.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2003

Universal level-spacing distribution in quantum systems

Classical counterparts of a great variety of quantum systems, from atomic physics to quantum wells and quantum dots, to optical, microwave, and acoustic resonators exhibit partially chaotic dynamics. Since it is often impossible to measure the temporal dynamics in qunatum systems, the main and probably the most dramatic manifestation of classical chaos in their phase space is seen in the distribution of spacing between the neighboring energy levels. While the mechanism leading to the onset of chaotic dynamics is different in every system, the level spacing distribution obeys the universal law, changing from Poissonian in the completely integrable systems to Wigner in completely chaotic ones.

nlin.CD↗