Edge Plasmons Research Articles

Propagation, dissipation, and breakdown in quantum anomalous Hall edge states probed by microwave edge plasmons

The quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) effect, with its single chiral, topologically protected edge state, offers a platform for flying Majorana states as well as nonreciprocal microwave devices. While recent research showed the nonreciprocity of edge plasmons in Cr-doped (BixSb1−x)2Te3, the understanding of their dissipation remains incomplete. Our study explores edge plasmon dissipation in V-doped (BixSb1−x)2Te3 films, analyzing microwave transmission across various conditions. We identify interactions with charge puddles as a primary source, providing insights critical for developing improved QAH-based technologies. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Valley-polarized edge plasmons in graphene p–n junctions with pseudomagnetic fields

Abstract Owing to the inherent characteristics of collective excitations in graphene, electrical control of edge plasmons is highly desirable for nanoplasmonic applications. This study investigates valley-polarized edge pseudomagneplasmons in a graphene p–n junction subjected to a strain-induced pseudomagnetic field. A four-component hydrodynamic model is employed and solved via the Wiener–Hopf method, revealing the coexistence of three plasmon modes, including counterpropagating acoustic edge modes, gapless topological edge states, and zero modes. The valley polarization, as determined from the numerically exact solution, is stronger than that predicted by the approximate models. Notably, the confinement of edge plasmons at the graphene p–n junction significantly exceeds that at the graphene/vacuum interface, possibly because of the electron–hole attraction. Furthermore, gate-controlled subwavelength confinement is successfully achieved by applying an appropriate gate voltage, thereby highlighting a unique and promising attribute of edge pseudomagnetoplasmons in graphene p–n junctions.

Long-range molecular energy transfer mediated by strong coupling to plasmonic topological edge states

Abstract Strong coupling between light and molecular matter is currently attracting interest both in chemistry and physics, in the fast-growing field of molecular polaritonics. The large near-field enhancement of the electric field of plasmonic surfaces and their high tunability make arrays of metallic nanoparticles an interesting platform to achieve and control strong coupling. Two dimensional plasmonic arrays with several nanoparticles per unit cell and crystalline symmetries can host topological edge and corner states. Here we explore the coupling of molecular materials to these edge states using a coupled-dipole framework including long-range interactions. We study both the weak and strong coupling regimes and demonstrate that coupling to topological edge states can be employed to enhance highly-directional long-range energy transfer between molecules.

Unleashing 2D MXene's Plasmonic Effect for Advanced Photonic Device Applications

AbstractMXenes, the largest family of 2D transition metal carbides/nitrides, have emerged as promising materials for various applications due to their exceptionally fascinating properties. In this study, the potential of MXenes is investigated in plasmonic applications, particularly focusing on surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and broadband photodetection. The study explored a broader range of light‐matter interactions based on edge plasmons that emerge at sub‐monolayer coverage of MXene, while existing studies have primarily focused on thicknesses exceeding tens of nanometers. Additionally, by incorporating MXenes onto 3D trench nanostructures, To maximize their plasmonic properties is aimed by enhancing the manifestation of edge plasmons, leading to intensified light amplification. The fabricated opto‐electronic devices exhibit remarkable sensitivity in SERS detection, achieving a detection limit as low as ≈0.1 nm for the target dye molecule, significantly surpassing typical thresholds for non‐metal‐based detection. Additionally, the enhancement factor exceeds that of commercially available Au‐based SERS substrates. Furthermore, MXene‐based photodetectors demonstrate competitive photoresponsivity and response time, particularly toward the near‐infrared (NIR) wavelength bands, which are challenging to achieve with MXene‐based photodetectors. Through a comprehensive analysis, including electric field calculations, the mechanisms driving the observed enhancements are unveiled, primarily attributing them to edge plasmons.

Edge magnetoplasmon dispersion and time-resolved plasmon transport in a quantum anomalous Hall insulator

A quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) insulator breaks reciprocity by combining magnetic polarization and spin-orbit coupling to generate a unidirectional transmission of signals in the absence of an external magnetic field. Such behavior makes QAH materials a good platform for the innovation of circulator technologies. However, it remains elusive as to how the wavelength of the chiral edge plasmon relates to its frequency and how the plasmon wave packet is excited in the time domain in a QAH insulator. Here, we investigate the edge magnetoplasmon (EMP) resonances in Cr-(Bi,Sb)2Te3 by frequency and time domain measurements. From disk shaped samples with various dimensions, we obtain the dispersion relation of EMPs and extract the drift velocity of the chiral edge state. From the time-resolved transport measurements, we identify the velocity of the plasmon wave packet and observe a transition from the edge to bulk transport at an elevated temperature. We show that the frequency and time domain measurements are well modeled by loss from the microwave induced dissipative channels in the bulk area. Our results demonstrate that the EMP decay rate can be significantly reduced by applying a low microwave power and fabricating devices of larger diameter ≥100µm. In a R=125µm sample, a nonreciprocity of 20 dB has been realized at 1.3 GHz, shining light on using QAH insulators to develop on-chip nonreciprocal devices. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Isotropic optical response and edge plasmons in MoS[formula omitted] monolayer induced by oxygen absorption

Defects play a crucial role in altering the electronic and optical characteristics of two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors, which is highly significant for the advancement of next-generation electronic and optoelectronic devices. In this study, we employ first-principles density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT calculations to explore the impact of oxygen defects on the electronic, optical, and plasmonic properties of monolayer MoS2. Our calculations reveal that the presence of an oxygen defect in the absorption position of the MoS2 monolayer leads to a predominant photoabsorption in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum, as well as an isotropic optical response and the emergence of edge plasmons. Conversely, when an oxygen defect is located in the adsorption position of the MoS2 monolayer, it generates deep midgap states within the bandgap, resulting in an anisotropic optical response and the partial decay of edge plasmons. By obtaining a comprehensive understanding of the effects of defects on photoabsorption and plasmonics, our study provides valuable insights for enhancing the performance of optical and plasmonic devices based on 2D materials.

Enhancing second harmonic generation of monolayer WS2 with edge plasmon

Transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMD) monolayers possess large second-order nonlinear susceptibility and have shown great potentials in on-chip nonlinear optical devices. However, the thickness of TMD monolayers is less than 1[Formula: see text]nm, resulting in a rather low second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency. In this paper, we propose a physical scheme of enhancing SHG of TMD monolayers with edge plasmon. As a proof of concept demonstration, we constructed a hexagonal gold nanoplates/monolayer WS2 heterostructure with high interface quality. By performing SHG measurements, we show that SHG was enhanced by a factor of about 60. Our results set a foundation for on-chip nonlinear optical applications with TMD monolayers.

Valley filtering and valley-polarized collective modes in bulk graphene monolayers

The presence of two sublattices in hexagonal graphene brings two energetically degenerate extremes in the conduction and valence bands, which are identified by the valley quantum number. Recently, this valley degree of freedom has been suggested to encode and process information, which develops a new carbon-based electronics named graphene valleytronics. In this topical review, we present and discuss valley-related transport properties in bulk graphene monolayers, which are due to strain-induced pseudomagnetic fields and associated vector potential, sublattice-stagger potential, and the valley-Zeeman effect. These valley-related interactions can be utilized to obtain valley filtering, valley spatial separation, valley-resolved guiding modes, and valley-polarized collective modes such as edge or surface plasmons. The present challenges and the perspectives on graphene valleytronics are also provided in this review.

Nondegenerate two-way edge channels of plasmons in networks

An effective one-dimensional channel is formed at the periphery of a two-dimensional electron gas by electronic edge states. Robust edge states with suppressed dissipation arise from the Landau quantization in a strong magnetic field, and propagation through an edge channel formed by these states is one-way. In general, two-way edge channels rather than one-way ones have more advantages for applications and are the main topic of topological insulators. However, two-way edge channels of these are degenerate in their energies, which causes backscattering and dissipation. Here, we show that excited states in networks composed of capacitively coupled integer quantum Hall systems exhibit macroscopic two-way edge channels with different energies. Theoretical results are derived on the basis of two known effects; each system has plasmonic excitations known as edge magnetoplasmons, and the chirality of each system is diverted only locally by the capacitive interaction between nearest-neighbor systems. Because of the simplicity of the model, various extensions from regular networks to more complicated higher-dimensional networks are possible. The networks provide an ideal platform to test the functionality of plasmonic one-dimensional edge channels and suggest a dynamical model of fractional Quantum Hall systems.

Velocity and confinement of edge plasmons in HgTe-based two-dimensional topological insulators

Velocity and confinement of edge plasmons in HgTe-based two-dimensional topological insulators

Plasmons in Z2 topological insulators

We study plasmonic excitations in the Kane-Mele model, a two-dimensional ${\mathbb{Z}}_{2}$ topological insulator on the honeycomb lattice, using the random phase approximation (RPA). In the topologically nontrivial phase, the model has conducting edge states that traverse the bulk energy gap and display spin-momentum locking. Such a state of matter is called the quantum spin hall (QSH) phase, which is robust against time-reversal (TR) invariant perturbations. We find that in the QSH phase, gapless spin-polarized plasmons can be excited on the edges of the system. The propagation of these plasmons is chiral for each individual spin component and shows spin-momentum locking for both spin components on the same edge. Moreover, we study the effect of external magnetic fields on the gapless edge plasmons. Specifically, out-of-plane magnetic fields delocalize edge plasmons propagating in one direction without affecting the other one, while an in-plane magnetic field can be applied to selectively excite a specific spin-plasmon branch with proper doping or gating to the system. Our findings may have potential applications in novel plasmonic and spintronic devices. We also investigate plasmons in the Kane-Mele model on a finite-sized diamond-shaped nanoflake and observe low-energy plasmons circulating the boundary of the material.

Physics Discovery in Nanoplasmonic Systems via Autonomous Experiments in Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy.

Physics-driven discovery in an autonomous experiment has emerged as a dream application of machine learning in physical sciences. Here, this work develops and experimentally implements a deep kernel learning (DKL) workflow combining the correlative prediction of the target functional response and its uncertainty from the structure, and physics-based selection of acquisition function, which autonomously guides the navigation of the image space. Compared to classical Bayesian optimization (BO) methods, this approach allows to capture the complex spatial features present in the images of realistic materials, and dynamically learn structure-property relationships. In combination with the flexible scalarizer function that allows to ascribe the degree of physical interest to predicted spectra, this enables physical discovery in automated experiment. Here, this approach is illustrated for nanoplasmonic studies of nanoparticles and experimentally implemented in a truly autonomous fashion for bulk- and edge plasmon discovery in MnPS3 , a lesser-known beam-sensitive layered 2D material. This approach is universal, can be directly used as-is with any specimen, and is expected to be applicable to any probe-based microscopic techniques including other STEM modalities, scanning probe microscopies, chemical, and optical imaging.

Quantum edge plasmon excitations and electron spill-out effect

In this paper, by using the effective Schrödinger–Poisson model, we investigate quantum edge plasmon excitations and electron spill-out effect in an arbitrary degenerate electron gas in the presence of perpendicular electron drift momentum. It is found that the single-electron Schrödinger equation solution produces a nonoscillatory electron number density distribution on the interface showing characteristic surface-dipole and electron spill-out effects. However, the Schrödinger–Poisson model produces large amplitude dual-tone density distribution due to both wave-like and particle-like plasmon dispersion other than surface-dipole and electron spill-out effects. The variations in the density structure are investigated in terms of different parameters such as the chemical potential, temperature, quantum electron tunneling parameter, and perpendicular electron de Broglie's wavenumber. Furthermore, we extend our study to the case of collective electron tunneling and reveal that the interface potential energy significantly differs from the case of single-electron quantum tunneling and strongly depends on the electron gas parameters. The current study reveals interesting features of the transverse plasmon excitations and electron spill-out in a current carrying narrow metal slab or metal–dielectric quantum sandwich interfaces incorporating both single-electron and collective quantum tunneling.

Switching performance of optically generated spin current at the graphene edge

We investigate the response of the optically generated spin current as a function of time at the graphene edge for a possible application of optospintronic devices. The spin current is generated by optically excited edge plasmon in which the induced electric field is rotating on the graphene plane. According to the inverse Faraday effect, the in-plane rotation of electric field generates magnetization in the direction perpendicular to the graphene plane. The diffusive spin current flows by decaying distribution of the magnetization from the edge. By solving the time-dependent, diffusion equation in the presence/absence of the spin-source term, we evaluate the on/off response of spin current. The switching speed becomes fast when the spin-diffusion length is sufficiently large compared with the decaying length of the magnetization.

Nanoscale acoustic waves detection enhanced by edge plasmon mode resonance in nanoapertures

Nanoapertures in metal films confine light to subwavelength dimensions generating enhanced electromagnetic fields. Acoustic resonances of nanostructures can be directly excited by dual frequency lasers due to intensity beating and induce the change of the refractive index in nanoaperture. Here we present that nanoapertures consisting of two intersecting holes support edge plasmons in the form of whispering-gallery modes which are highly sensitive to the refractive index of the surrounding environment. The refractive index variation caused by acoustic resonances in the nanostructure results in a significant change of transmission through the nanoaperture. Experimental results indicate that edge plasmons in the cavity of double nanohole help to minimize radiative losses via stronger confinement and increase acoustic detecting sensitivity. The edge plasmon modes in nanostructures may find applications in nanoparticle trapping, biosensors and light matter interactions in nanofluidics.

Wavelength-tunable dual-band edge plasmon mode based on gold edge-hole plasmonic nanostructure

Metal nanostructures have attracted attention because of their unique optical characteristics derived from localized surface plasmon resonance. In this study, gold nanoholes with edge structures were designed and characterized to possess two plasmon bands at different wavelengths. These bands were assigned to the plasmon modes that generated a concentrated electric field at the tip of the individual edge structures. Furthermore, wavelengths of these bands were independently tuned from the visible to near-infrared wavelengths with shape and size of the gold nanoholes and edge structures as variables. To demonstrate wavelength tuning, a gold nanostructure with edge plasmon bands at wavelengths of approximately 785 and 1064 nm (typical laser wavelengths for surface-enhanced Raman scattering and optical tweezers, respectively) was successfully obtained via optical simulation. The results indicate that the structure designed in this study provides a guideline for the design of optical devices with efficient multiple optical functions.

Three-dimensional topological plasmons in Weyl semimetals

We systematically investigate the properties of bulk, surface and edge plasmons in Weyl semimetals in presence of a magnetic field. It is found that unidirectional plasmons with different properties exist on different surfaces, which is in consistent with the nontrivial topology of the three-dimensional (3D) bulk plasmons. These novel plasmons possess momentum-location lock and may travel between surfaces. The anomalous Hall conductivity brings about abundant anisotropic plasmon dispersions, from linear to parabolic or even hyperbolic bands. With the help of a semiclassical picture for the formation of the Weyl orbits, we point out the Fermi-arc plasmons at opposite surfaces can make up another unique 3D topological plasmon. Furthermore, there is a gapless unidirectional edge plasmon protected by the topology whose direction and position can be controlled by external field. Our work thus uncovers topological features of Weyl plasmons, which may have important applications in photoelectric devices based on chiral/topological plasmonics.

Near-Field Imaging and Time-Domain Dynamics of Photonic Topological Edge States in Plasmonic Nanochains.

Time-domain dynamic evolution properties of topological states play an important role in both fundamental physics study and practical applications of topological photonics. However, owing to the absence of available ultrafast time-domain dynamic characterization methods, studies have mostly focused on the frequency-domain-based properties, and there are few reports demonstrating the time-domain-based properties. Here, we measured the dynamic near-field responses of plasmonic topological structures of gold nanochains with the configuration of the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model by using ultrahigh spatial-temporal resolution photoemission electron microscopy. The dephasing time of plasmonic topological edge states increases with increasing the bulk lattice number that has a threshold requirement and finally reaches saturation. We directly revealed through simulation that there is a transient bulk state in the evolution of topological edge states, that is, the energy undergoes relaxation from oscillation between the bulk lattice and the edge. This work shows a new perspective of time-domain dynamic topological photonics.

Suppressed Transmission of Long-Range Surface Plasmon Polariton by TE-Induced Edge Plasmon.

Work on controlling the propagation of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) through the use of external stimuli has attracted much attention due to the potential use of SPPs in nanoplasmonic integrated circuits. We report that the excitation of edge plasmon by TE-polarized light passing across gapped-SPP waveguides (G-SPPWs) leads to the suppressed transmission of long-range SPPs (LRSPPs) propagating along G-SPPWs. The induced current density by highly confined edge plasmon is numerically investigated to characterize the extended radiation length of decoupled LRSPPs by the TE-induced edge plasmon. The suppressed transmission of LRSPPs is confirmed using the measured extinction ratio of the plasmonic signals which are generated from the modulated optical signals, when compared to the extended radiation length calculated for a wide range of the input power. It is also shown that LRSPP transmission is sensitive to the excited power of edge plasmon in the gap through the permittivity change near the gap. Such a control of SPPs through the use of light could be boosted by the hybridized edge plasmon mode and a huge field enhancement using nanogap, gratings or metasurfaces, and could provide opportunities for ultrafast nano-plasmonic signal generation that is compatible with pervasive optical communication systems.

Growth of High-Quality Monolayer Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Nanocrystals by Chemical Vapor Deposition and Their Photoluminescence and Electrocatalytic Properties.

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) nanocrystals (NCs) exhibit unique optical and electrocatalytic properties. However, the growth of uniform and high-quality NCs of monolayer TMDC remains a challenge. Until now, most of them are synthesized via a solution-based hydrothermal process or ultrasonic exfoliation method, in which the capping ligands introduced from organic solution often quench the optical and electrocatalytic properties of TMDC NCs. Moreover, it is difficult to homogeneously disperse the solution-based TMDC NCs on a substrate for device fabrication, since the dispersed NCs can easily aggregate. Here, we put forward a novel CVD method to grow closely spaced MoS2 NCs around 5 nm in lateral size. TEM and AFM characterizations demonstrate the monolayer and high-crystalline nature of MoS2 NCs. An obvious blue-shift with 130 meV in photoluminescence signals can be observed. The MoS2 NCs also show an outstanding surface-enhanced Raman scattering for organic molecules due to their localized surface plasmon and abundant edge sites and exhibit excellent electrocatalytic properties for the hydrogen-evolution reaction with a very low onset potential of ∼50 mV and Tafel slope of ∼57 mV/decade. Finally, we further demonstrate this kind of CVD method as a versatile platform for the growth of other TMDC NCs, such as WSe2 and MoSe2 NCs.