Compact all-fiber plasmonic Airy-like beam generator

In the present work, a compact all-fiber plasmonic focusing beam generator with single and multiple spots is proposed and demonstrated in a conventional multimode fiber. Here, the focusing beam generator is composed of air slit arrays perforated through the gold films deposited on the end facet of a multimode fiber. The array of nanoscale slits with varying widths is used to modulate phase distribution of the focused light. An all-fiber focusing beam generator provides many advantages, such as self-alignment, high flexibility, lower insert loss, and easy portability, which is of importance to realize optical trapping, micromanipulation, beam shaping, and fiber integrated devices.

We report the generation and focusing of surface plasmon polariton (SPP) waves from normally incident light on a planar circular grating milled into a silver film. The focusing mechanism is explained by using a simple coherent interference model of SPP generation on the circular grating by the incident field. Experimental results concur well with theoretical predictions and highlight the requirement for the phase matching of SPP sources in the grating to achieve the maximum enhancement of the SPP wave at the focal point. NSOM measurements show that the plasmonic lens achieves more than a 10-fold intensity enhancement over the intensity of a single ring of the in-plane field components at the focus when the grating design is tuned to the SPP wavelength. We discuss the technique's adaptability for surface enhanced nano-scale spectroscopy.

We design and demonstrate experimentally a plasmonic directional beaming device with an expected beam angle, which consists of a slit-grooves structure in Au/Cr metal layers. The directional beaming phenomenon is achieved by modulating the phases of the radiation light diffracted by grooves from surface plasmon polariton and controlling the wavefront of the transmitted light to propagate toward the desired direction. The transmitted field through the demonstration beaming device is simulated with finite-difference time-domain method and visualized using scanning near-field optical microscope. The simulation and experimental results both show a significant directional beaming effect and are in good agreement with theoretical expectation. Such a plasmonic beaming device has potential applications in optical interconnection, display, and illumination.

Access to surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) with directional control excited by electrical means is important for applications in (on-chip) nano-optoelectronic devices and to circumvent limitations inherent to approaches where SPPs are excited by optical means (e.g., diffraction limit). This paper describes directional excitation of surface plasmon polaritons propagating along a plasmonic strip waveguide integrated with an aperiodic groove array electrically driven by an Al–Al2O3–Au tunnel junction. The aperiodic groove array consists of six grooves and is optimized to specifically reflect the SPPs by 180° in the desired direction (+x or −x) along the plasmonic strip waveguide. We used constrained nonlinear optimization of the groove array based on the sequential quadratic programming algorithms coupled with finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations to achieve the optimal structures. Leakage radiation microscopy (Fourier and real plane imaging) shows that the propagation direction of selectively only one SPP mode (propagating along the metal–substrate interface) is controlled. In our experiments, we achieved a directionality (i.e., +x/−x ratio) of close to 8, and all of our experimental findings are supported by detailed theoretical simulations.

The role of quasicylindrical waves and surface plasmon polaritons in beam shaping with resonant nanogratings is investigated. It is shown that the field on the grating surface can be strongly influenced by plasmons and quasicylindrical waves in the infrared. A method that combines far-field measurements with the fast Fourier transform to map the field amplitude at the grating surface is demonstrated. For samples with a small degree of geometric asymmetry, it is shown that the imaginary part of the transform (with null zeroth-order component) can better map the amplitude of the resonant surface waves than the full complex-valued transform. Our results will impact the study, design, and footprint of resonant nanogratings.

<sec>Optical nanoantennas can achieve electromagnetic-field enhancement under far-field excitation or spontaneous-emission enhancement under excitation by radiating emitters. Among them, nanoantennas on a metallic substrate (i.e. the so-called nanoparticle-on-mirror antennas) have aroused great research interest due to their ease in forming metallic gaps of sizes down to a few nanometers or even subnanometer. Here we propose an optical dipole nanoantenna on a metallic substrate with a broadband enhancement of spontaneous emission. Its total and radiative emission-rate enhancement factors can reach up to 5454 and 1041, respectively. In the near-infrared band, the wavelength range of spontaneous-emission enhancement (Purcell factor over 1000) can reach 260nm. By changing the width of the slit between the two antenna arms and also the length of the antenna arms, the spontaneous-emission enhancement bandwidth and enhancement factors can be adjusted, respectively, which brings great freedom and simplicity to the design process. The antenna can achieve a strong far-field radiation within a central anglular zone (polar angle <i>θ</i>≤60°) corresponding to a certain numerical aperture of objective lens, and therefore can increase the intensity of the fluorescence collected by the objective lens. Based on the above performances, the antenna can provide a broadband enhancement of spontaneous emission for fluorescent molecules or quantum dots (whose fluorescence spectrum usually covers a certain wavelength range), which is of great significance for the applications such as in high-speed and super-bright nanoscale light sources and high-sensitivity fluorescent-molecule sensing.</sec><sec>To clarify the underlying physical mechanisms, we build up a semi-analytical model by considering an intuitive excitation and multiple-scattering process of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) that propagate along the antenna arms. All the parameters used in the model (such as the SPP scattering coefficients) are obtained via rigorous calculations based on the first principle of Maxwell's equations without any fitting process, which ensures that the model has a solid electromagnetic foundation and can provide quantitative predictions. The SPP model can comprehensively reproduce all the radiation properties of the antenna, such as the total radiative emission rate and the far-field radiation pattern. Two phase-matching conditions are derived from the model for predicting the antenna resonance, and show that under these conditions, the SPPs on the antenna arms form a pair of Fabry-Perot resonance and therefore are enhanced, and the enhanced SPPs propagate to the emitter in the nanogap (or scattered into the free space), so as to enhance the total spontaneous emission rate (or the far-field radiative emission rate). Besides, this pair of Fabry-Perot resonance results in a pair of resonance peaks close to each other, then enhancing the spontaneous emission with a broadband.</sec>

The antenna-mediated coupling of light into Ag nanowire is investigated both in experiments and simulations. The coupling efficiency is strongly depended on the architecture of the metallic particles related to the Ag nanowire. Different incident angles of excitation laser are also tested for the maximum coupling effiecieny. The results demonstrate three-arm triangle antenna group fabricated at the incident end can effectively enhance the surface plasmon polariton (SPP) coupling and propagation. The SPP resonance and the Fabry-Perot cavity theory are used to explain the plasmon enhancement and propagation phenomena. The suggested structure can be served as an enhanced plasmonic waveguide for the nanophotonic and plasmonic circuits in the future.

Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) play crucial roles in a wide-range of applications, such as plasmonic imaging, sensors, plasmonic tweezers, etc. However, the excitation of SPPs gives rise to a big challenge to manipulate SPP fields in a dynamical way. Here, we propose a full optics-controlled method to manipulate SPP fields with Dammann grating (DG) in a tightly focusing system, rather than customizing a special structure on the metal film. Owing to the coupling between free-space incident vector beam and SPPs, the phase of SPPs can be controlled directly by that of the incident vector beam, which is modulated by the DG in free space. Thus, by adjusting the parameters of the DG, a plasmonic focus array with tunable number, position and topological charge can be created flexibly on the metal film, while the light intensity distribution of each plasmonic focus is only dependent on the polarized state of the incident vector beam. This work presents an important step for the manipulation of SPP fields with wavefront techniques and may open new avenues to extend holography for dynamical SPP field control.

Integrating surface plasmon resonance (SPR) devices upon single-mode fiber (SMF) end facets renders label-free biosensing systems that have a dip-and-read configuration, high compatibility with fiber-optic techniques, and in vivo monitoring capability, which however meets the challenge to match the performance of free-space counterparts. We report a second-order distributed feedback (DFB) SPR cavity on an SMF end facet and its application in protein interaction analysis. In our device, a periodic array of nanoslits in a gold film is used to couple fiber guided lightwaves to surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) with its first order spatial Fourier component, while the second order spatial Fourier component provides DFB to SPP propagation and produces an SPP bandgap. A phase shift section in the DFB structure introduces an SPR defect state within the SPP bandgap, whose mode profile is optimized to match that of the SMF to achieve a reasonable coupling efficiency. We report an experimental refractive index sensitivity of 628 nm RIU−1, a figure-of-merit of 80 RIU−1, and a limit of detection of 7 × 10−6 RIU. The measurement of the real-time interaction between human immunoglobulin G molecules and their antibodies is demonstrated.

In a recent publication [Opt. Lett.42, 1512 (2017)OPLEDP0146-959210.1364/OL.42.001512], a novel class of partially coherent sources with circular coherence was introduced. In this paper, we examine the propagation behavior of the spectral density and the spectral degree of spatial coherence of a beam generated by such a source in free space and in oceanic turbulent media. It is found that the beam exhibits self-focusing, which is dependent on the initial coherence and the parameters of oceanic turbulence. The self-focusing phenomenon disappears when the initial coherence is high enough or the oceanic turbulence is strong. The area of high coherence appears in the center and along two diagonal lines. With increasing turbulence, the coherence area reduces gradually along one diagonal line and is retained along the other one. A physical interpretation of the self-focusing phenomenon is presented, and potential applications in optical underwater communication and beam shaping are considered.

This paper investigates the propagation properties and orbital angular momentum (OAM) flux density distribution of partially coherent beams embedded with noncanonical vortex pairs in free space. Based on the generalized Huygens–Fresnel integral, an analytical model of the cross-spectral density (CSD) is derived. Numerical simulations are performed to analyze how key parameters—including off-axis distance, topological charge, noncanonical strength, and coherence length—affect the spatial structure and evolution of the OAM flux density. The results show that the OAM flux density transitions from a symmetric ring to a bifurcated lobe structure as the off-axis distance increases. Both topological charge and noncanonical strength significantly enhance the magnitude and alter the morphology of the OAM flux density. Furthermore, under noncanonical conditions, the coherence length modulates the rotational behavior and spatial extent of the OAM profile. These findings provide insights into the control of OAM in structured partially coherent beams and suggest potential applications in optical communications, particle manipulation, and beam shaping.

Plasmonics takes advantage of the properties of surface plasmon polaritons, which are localized or propagating quasiparticles in which photons are coupled to the quasi-free electrons in metals. In particular, plasmonic devices can confine light in regions with dimensions that are smaller than the wavelength of the photons in free space, and this makes it possible to match the different length scales associated with photonics and electronics in a single nanoscale device. Broad applications of plasmonics that have been demonstrated to date include biological sensing, sub-diffraction-limit imaging, focusing and lithography and nano-optical circuitry. Plasmonics-based optical elements such as waveguides, lenses, beamsplitters and reflectors have been implemented by structuring metal surfaces or placing dielectric structures on metals to manipulate the two-dimensional surface plasmon waves. However, the abrupt discontinuities in the material properties or geometries of these elements lead to increased scattering of surface plasmon polaritons, which significantly reduces the efficiency of these components. Transformation optics provides an alternative approach to controlling the propagation of light by spatially varying the optical properties of a material. Here, motivated by this approach, we use grey-scale lithography to adiabatically tailor the topology of a dielectric layer adjacent to a metal surface to demonstrate a plasmonic Luneburg lens that can focus surface plasmon polaritons. We also make a plasmonic Eaton lens that can bend surface plasmon polaritons. Because the optical properties are changed gradually rather than abruptly in these lenses, losses due to scattering can be significantly reduced in comparison with previously reported plasmonic elements.

High power laser sources are used in various production tools for cutting, welding and hardening of metal parts and patterning, annealing and lithography of flat panel displays, solar cells and microelectronic devices. Beside the right choice of the laser source suitable high performance optical beam delivery and shaping systems are needed for generating the appropriate beam profile and intensity distribution are of high importance for the right processing speed, quality and yield. In addition to the typical laser processes with circular beam shapes LIMO has developed laser sources with line shaped beams for large area processing for e.g. crystallization and tempering of conducting and semi-conducting films on glass for FPD, PV and thermal processing of semiconductor wafer, coated float glass and sheet metal. Due to the high power density of several 100kW/cm2 and line length up to several hundred millimetres a treatment capacity of several m2 per minute and processing speeds up to 1 m/s can be achieved per laser head with typical scan & repeat processes. The use of multiple laser heads in one machine scales the productivity to the individual needs. The high scanning speed together with line widths of 0,01mm to 0,1mm is the basis for heating only a few microns of the surfaces layers and no costly cooling time is needed like with regular heating technologies. With this controlled surface heating even more sensitive materials can be processes like inks on polymers and paper for RFIDs, printed solar absorbers and coatings. For industrial applications equally important is an adequate understanding of the physics of the light-matter interaction behind the process. In advance simulations of the tool performance can minimize technical and financial risk as well as lead times for prototyping and introduction into series production. Based on this knowledge together with a unique free-form micro-lens array production technology and patented micro-optics beam shaping designs a number of novel production tool sub-systems have been built by LIMO: 1. a multi-kilowatt direct diode illumination modules for solar cell annealing, and crystallization; 2. a novel green laser beam line for the annealing of silicon thin films on glass; 3. a novel wavefront shaping optics that generates a top hat beam profile from a TEM00 high-power laser source for accurate thin film structuring. For each of these sub-system basic functionalities, design principles and performance results are presented with a special emphasis on resilience, cost reduction and process reliability.

Guiding surface states through disorders recently has attracted attention of scientists from diverse backgrounds. In this work, we report a robust method to guide surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) through arbitrary distorted metal surfaces (a kind of disorder), including slopes, bumps, and sharp corners. Almost total transmissions over a broad frequency range can be achieved by use of infinitely anisotropic metamaterials (IAMs). The SPPs are coupled into and out of the bulk modes in the IAMs, where the bulk modes are routed by altering the principle axis of the IAMs. Due to unique non-diffraction property of the IAMs, all processes are of high efficiency, which are explained from both microscopic and macroscopic perspectives. Several functional SPP devices, including adapter, cloak, and sharp bending waveguide, are presented in the simulations. Two proof-of-concept SPP devices are experimentally demonstrated, where the SPPs are mimicked by the designer SPPs at microwave frequency.

We introduce a nano-optical platform based on Bloch surface waves (BSWs) capable of exploiting the entire cleaved end facet of a multicore optical fiber. Interconnecting various fiber cores with BSWs directly at the end of a multicore fiber opens the perspective of highly compact complex optical functionalities for the design of "lab on fiber" devices. In counterpart, optical fibers provide a unique opportunity to obtain turnkey nano-optical functions addressing a vast application domain ranging from telecommunications to medical sensing. To show the full potential of our platform, we demonstrate a multiplexing function between three fiber cores.