Metallo-dielectric Photonic Band Gap Structure Research Articles

Semiconductor-based superlens for subwavelength resolution below the diffraction limit at extreme ultraviolet frequencies

We theoretically demonstrate negative refraction and subwavelength resolution below the diffraction limit in the UV and extreme UV ranges using semiconductors. The metal-like response of typical semiconductors such as GaAs or GaP makes it possible to achieve negative refraction and superguiding in resonant semiconductor/dielectric multilayer stacks, similar to what has been demonstrated in metallodielectric photonic band gap structures. The exploitation of this basic property in semiconductors raises the possibility of yet-untapped applications in the UV and soft x-ray ranges.

Tailoring metallodielectric structures for superresolution and superguiding applications in the visible and near-ir ranges

We discuss propagation effects in realistic, transparent, metallodielectric photonic band gap structures in the context of negative refraction and super-resolution in the visible and near infrared ranges. In the resonance tunneling regime, we find that for transverse-magnetic incident polarization, field localization effects contribute to a waveguiding phenomenon that makes it possible for the light to remain confined within a small fraction of a wavelength, without any transverse boundaries, due to the suppression of diffraction. This effect is related to negative refraction of the Poynting vector inside each metal layer, balanced by normal refraction inside the adjacent dielectric layer: The degree of field localization and material dispersion together determine the total momentum that resides within any given layer, and thus the direction of energy flow. We find that the transport of evanescent wave vectors is mediated by the excitation of quasistationary, low group velocity surface waves responsible for relatively large losses. As representative examples we consider transparent metallodielectric stacks such as $\mathrm{Ag}∕{\mathrm{TiO}}_{2}$ and $\mathrm{Ag}∕\mathrm{GaP}$ and show in detail how to obtain the optimum conditions for high transmittance of both propagating and evanescent modes for super-guiding and super-resolution applications across the visible and near IR ranges. Finally, we study the influence of gain on super-resolution. We find that the introduction of gain can compensate the losses caused by the excitation of surface plasmons, improves the resolving characteristics of the lens, and leads to gain-tunable super-resolution.

Theoretical analysis of a palladium-based one-dimensional metallo-dielectric photonic band gap structure for applications to H2 sensors

In this paper we report a numerical study of a palladium-based metallo-dielectric photonic band gap structure for the purpose of detecting H2. In particular, and as an example, we will explore applications to the diagnosis of lactose malabsorption, more commonly known as lactose intolerance condition. This pathology occurs as a result of an incomplete absorption or digestion of different substances, causing an increased spontaneous emission of H2 in human breath. Palladium is considered in order to exploit its well known ability to absorb hydrogen spontaneously. The proposed structure is particularly able to detect the lactose malabsorption level of the patient with relatively high sensitivity and rapidity.

Tunable absorption resonance in electromechanical one-dimensional metallodielectric photonic band gap structures

We present the results of an experimental study of an electromechanical, one-dimensional, metallodielectric photonic band gap structure. We monitor the reflectance as a function of the thickness of an air gap located inside the stack. The results suggest that, by changing the thickness of the air gap by approximately 20 nm, a large contrast can be achieved between high- and low-reflectance states, as reflectance switches from a fraction of a percent to about 70%. Using this approach, we are able to selectively remove a relatively narrow but tunable wavelength range from the reflected spectrum, thus making possible applications to accelerometers, linear optical switches, modulators, and other specialized filters in the visible range. The characteristic absorption spectrum can be controlled by varying air gap and dielectric layer thicknesses.

Photonic bandgap surfaces with interdigitated corrugations

For a given operational frequency, the unit cell surface area of a metallo–dielectric photonic bandgap structure (MBPG) is reduced by increasing the capacitance between adjacent unit cell elements. An MPBG structure possessing interdigitated corrugations is proposed in order to achieve this increase. The structure is incorporated, as the ground plane, in a microstrip transmission line and it is experimentally characterised over the 50 MHz–4 GHz frequency band.

Accessing the optical limiting properties of metallo-dielectric photonic band gap structures

The optical limiting properties of a one-dimensional, transparent metallodielectric photonic band gap structure are studied. Due to light confinement in the structure that enhances the nonlinear response of the layers, a nonlinear transmission dependence on the incident light intensity is found. Experimental results are reported for a four period sample where the single period consists of ZnO and Ag layers 109 and 17 nm thick, respectively. The structure was designed to exhibit a transmission resonance at 532 nm. Under the action of a Q-switched frequency doubled Nd:yttrium–aluminum–garnet laser, a decrease in transmission of approximately 50% is obtained for a maximum incident light intensity of 2 GW/cm2. These results are explained in terms of a dynamic change of the absorption coefficient due to the enhancement of the two-photon absorption process. These results suggest that the structure is suitable for optical limiting applications in the visible range.

Electromagnetic properties of periodic and quasi-periodic one-dimensional, metallo-dielectric photonic band gap structures

We discuss some of the electromagnetic properties of one-dimensional, metallo-dielectric photonic band gap structures. In our considerations, we include discussions of the transmissive and reflective properties of multilayer stacks, and the density of electromagnetic field modes for the structure. In particular, we highlight and contrast the role of quasi-periodic structures with respect to periodic structures, in the form of Cantor Fibonacci sets, and a `chirped' set.

3D Metallo-Dielectric Photonic Crystals with Strong Capacitive Coupling between Metallic Islands

We introduce a new type of metallo-dielectric photonic band gap structure (PBG), intentionally incorporating very strong capacitive interactions between the periodic metallic islands. The band gaps become huge, with the lower band edge frequency being pushed down by the capacitive interaction between metallic islands, while the upper band edge frequency continues to depend primarily on the lattice constant, as in normal PBG’s. With this new type of photonic crystal, the spatial periodicity can be much smaller than the corresponding electromagnetic wavelength, allowing PBG structures to play a role at radio frequencies. [S0031-9007(98)05629-4] PACS numbers: 42.70.Qs, 41.20.Jb, 78.70.Gq, 84.40. ‐ x