Near-infrared Wavelength Range Research Articles

Direct Light Orbital Angular Momentum Detection in Mid-Infrared Based on the Type-II Weyl Semimetal TaIrTe4.

The direct photocurrent detection capability of light orbital angular momentum (OAM) has recently been realized with topological Weyl semimetals, but it is limited to the near-infrared wavelength range. The extension of the direct OAM detection capability to the mid-infrared band, which is a wave band that plays an important role in a vast range of applications, has not yet been realized. This is because the photocurrent responses of most photodetectors are neither sensitive to the phase information nor efficient in the mid-infrared region. In this study, a photodetector based on the type-II Weyl semimetal tantalum iridium telluride (TaIrTe4 ) is designed with peculiar electrode geometries to directly detect the topological charge of the OAM using the orbital photogalvanic effect (OPGE). The results indicate that the helical phase gradient of light can be distinguished by a current winding around the optical beam axis, with a magnitude proportional to its quantized OAM mode number. The topologically enhanced responses in the mid-infrared region of TaIrTe4 further help overcome the low responsivity issues and finally render direct OAM detection capability. This study enables on-chip-integrated OAM detection, and thus OAM-sensitive focal plane arrays in the mid-infrared region.

Simulation of an asymmetric hexagonal microcavity with high-ratio fluorescence and high-efficiency directional emission.

Ratiometric fluorescent sensors are widely used in biological sensing and immunoassays due to their high sensitivity detection of analytes. The high-ratio value of fluorescence can increase the sensitivity of the fluorescence sensor; in addition, the directional emission can improve the efficiency of light collection and improve the effective use of radiation power. In previous studies, low fluorescence ratios and low directional emission efficiency have restricted the application of ratio fluorescence sensors. Based on the above constraints, this paper proposes an asymmetric hexagonal microcavity structure. By destroying the complete rotational symmetry of the hexagon structure, it achieves high fluorescence ratios and high-efficiency directional emission in the far-field range in the near-infrared wavelength range, which is of significance for the development of high sensitivity fluorescence sensors.

Overall High-Performance Near-Infrared Photodetector Based on CVD-Grown MoTe2 and Graphene Vertical vdWs Heterostructure

Two-dimensional (2D) materials, such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), are highly appealing in the fields of electronics, optoelectronics, energy, etc. Graphene, with high conductivity and high carrier mobility, is an excellent candidate for transparent electrodes. TMDCs have remarkably strong light absorption in the range of visible to infrared wavelength. High-performance photodetectors are expected to achieve through the combination of graphene and TMDCs. Nowadays, near-infrared (NIR) photodetectors play significant roles in many areas. MoTe2 with bandgap energy of about 1.0 eV in its bulk form is a promising material for cost-saving NIR photodetectors. Thus far, only a few of the reported studies on NIR photodetectors built on MoTe2/graphene heterostructures have achieved high responsivity and short response time simultaneously in one device. In this study, we fabricate graphene–MoTe2–graphene vertical van der Waals heterostructure devices through chemical vapor deposition (CVD) growth, wet transfer method, and dry etching technique. Under 1064 nm laser illumination, we acquire responsivity of as high as 635 A/W and a response time of as short as 19 μs from the as-fabricated device. Moreover, we acquire higher responsivity of 1752 A/W and a shorter response time of 16 μs from the Al2O3-encapsulated device. Our research drives the application of 2D materials in the NIR wavelength range.

Observation of optical gyromagnetic properties in a magneto-plasmonic metamaterial

Metamaterials with artificial optical properties have attracted significant research interest. In particular, artificial magnetic resonances with non-unity permeability tensor at optical frequencies in metamaterials have been reported. However, only non-unity diagonal elements of the permeability tensor have been demonstrated to date. A gyromagnetic permeability tensor with non-zero off-diagonal elements has not been observed at the optical frequencies. Here we report the observation of gyromagnetic properties in the near-infrared wavelength range in a magneto-plasmonic metamaterial. The non-zero off-diagonal permeability tensor element causes the transverse magneto-optical Kerr effect under s-polarized incidence that otherwise vanishes if the permeability tensor is not gyromagnetic. By retrieving the permeability tensor elements from reflection, transmission, and transverse magneto-optical Kerr effect spectra, we show that the effective off-diagonal permeability tensor elements reach 10−3 level at the resonance wavelength (~900 nm) of the split-ring resonators, which is at least two orders of magnitude higher than magneto-optical materials at the same wavelength. The artificial gyromagnetic permeability is attributed to the change in the local electric field direction modulated by the split-ring resonators. Our study demonstrates the possibility of engineering the permeability and permittivity tensors in metamaterials at arbitrary frequencies, thereby promising a variety of applications of next-generation nonreciprocal photonic devices, magneto-plasmonic sensors, and active metamaterials.

Broad-band Chiral Absorbance of Visible Light.

The amplification of chiral absorbance and emission is a primary figure of merit for the design of chiral chromophores. However, for dyes to be practically relevant in chiroptical applications, they must also absorb and/or emit chiral light over broad wavelength ranges. We investigate the interplay between molecular symmetry and broad-band chiral absorbance in a series of [6]helicenes. We find that an asymmetric [6]helicene containing two distinct chromophores absorbs chiral light across a much wider wavelength range than the symmetric [6]helicenes investigated here. Chemically reducing the helicenes shifts the absorption edge of the ECD spectra into the near-infrared wavelength range while preserving broad chiral absorption, producing a [6]helicene that absorbs a single handedness of light across the entire visible wavelength range.

Photoluminescence study of InP and In(As, P) inclusions into Si (100) substrate

We present a photoluminescence study of In(As,P) monolithic nanoinclusions into Si (100) substrates. The structures were grown in openings of the silicon substrates using an original approach based on the metal-organic vapor epitaxy method. The obtained arrays of In(As,P) nanoinclusions into the Si (100) surface were investigated by scanning microphotoluminescence spectroscopy. The obtained results show high crystalline quality of In(As,P) inclusions with broad emission peak in the near-infrared range of wavelengths.

Mid-infrared active metasurface based on Si/VO2 hybrid meta-atoms

Active metasurfaces whose optical properties can be tuned by an external stimulus have attracted great research interest recently. Introduction of VO 2 phase change material in all-dielectric metasurfaces has been demonstrated to modulate the resonance wavelength and amplitude in the visible to near-infrared wavelength range. In this study, we report a mid-infrared active metasurface based on Si / VO 2 hybrid meta-atoms. By incorporating VO 2 thin films in different locations of Si / VO 2 all-dielectric nanodisks, we demonstrate different modulation amplitude of the electric or magnetic resonance scattering cross sections, leading to drastically different transmission spectrum upon VO 2 insulator to metal phase transition. The physical mechanism is originated from the field profiles of the resonance modes, which interact with VO 2 differently depending on its locations. Based on this mechanism, we experimentally demonstrated a large modulation of the transmittance from 82% to 28% at the 4.6 μm wavelength. Our work demonstrates a promising potential of VO 2 -based active all-dielectric metasurface for mid-infrared photonic applications such as infrared camouflage, chemical/biomedical sensing, optical neuromorphic computing, and multispectral imaging.

The Light Absorption Enhancement in Graphene Monolayer Resulting from the Diffraction Coupling of Surface Plasmon Polariton Resonance.

In this study, we investigate a physical mechanism to improve the light absorption efficiency of graphene monolayer from the universal value of 2.3% to about 30% in the visible and near-infrared wavelength range. The physical mechanism is based on the diffraction coupling of surface plasmon polariton resonances in the periodic array of metal nanoparticles. Through the physical mechanism, the electric fields on the surface of graphene monolayer are considerably enhanced. Therefore, the light absorption efficiency of graphene monolayer is greatly improved. To further confirm the physical mechanism, we use an interaction model of double oscillators to explain the positions of the absorption peaks for different array periods. Furthermore, we discuss in detail the emerging conditions of the diffraction coupling of surface plasmon polariton resonances. The results will be beneficial for the design of graphene-based photoelectric devices.

All-Optical Modulation Technology Based on 2D Layered Materials.

In the advancement of photonics technologies, all-optical systems are highly demanded in ultrafast photonics, signal processing, optical sensing and optical communication systems. All-optical devices are the core elements to realize the next generation of photonics integration system and optical interconnection. Thus, the exploration of new optoelectronics materials that exhibit different optical properties is a highlighted research direction. The emerging two-dimensional (2D) materials such as graphene, black phosphorus (BP), transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) and MXene have proved great potential in the evolution of photonics technologies. The optical properties of 2D materials comprising the energy bandgap, third-order nonlinearity, nonlinear absorption and thermo-optics coefficient can be tailored for different optical applications. Over the past decade, the explorations of 2D materials in photonics applications have extended to all-optical modulators, all-optical switches, an all-optical wavelength converter, covering the visible, near-infrared and Terahertz wavelength range. Herein, we review different types of 2D materials, their fabrication processes and optical properties. In addition, we also summarize the recent advances of all-optical modulation based on 2D materials. Finally, we conclude on the perspectives on and challenges of the future development of the 2D material-based all-optical devices.

Photonic crystal nanobeam cavities based on 4H-silicon carbide on insulator

The 4H-silicon carbide on insulator (4H-SiCOI) has recently emerged as an attractive material platform for integrated photonics due to its excellent quantum and nonlinear optical properties. Here, we experimentally realize one-dimensional photonic crystal nanobeam cavities on the ion-cutting 4H-SiCOI platform. The cavities exhibit quality factors up to 6.1×103 and mode volumes down to 0.63 × (λ/n)3 in the visible and near-infrared wavelength range. Moreover, by changing the excitation laser power, the fundamental transverse-electric mode can be dynamically tuned by 0.6 nm with a tuning rate of 33.5 pm/mW. The demonstrated devices offer the promise of an appealing microcavity system for interfacing the optically addressable spin defects in 4H-SiC.

Silicon in the dayside atmospheres of two ultra-hot Jupiters

Atmospheres of highly irradiated gas giant planets host a large variety of atomic and ionic species. Here we observe the thermal emission spectra of the two ultra-hot Jupiters WASP-33b and KELT-20b/MASCARA-2b in the near-infrared wavelength range with CARMENES. Via high-resolution Doppler spectroscopy, we searched for neutral silicon (Si) in their dayside atmospheres. We detect the Si spectral signature of both planets via cross-correlation with model spectra. Detection levels of 4.8σ and 5.4σ, respectively, are observed when assuming a solar atmospheric composition. This is the first detection of Si in exoplanet atmospheres. The presence of Si is an important finding due to its fundamental role in cloud formation and, hence, for the planetary energy balance. Since the spectral lines are detected in emission, our results also confirm the presence of an inverted temperature profile in the dayside atmospheres of both planets.

Size Control in the Colloidal Synthesis of Plasmonic Magnesium Nanoparticles.

Nanoparticles of plasmonic materials can sustain oscillations of their free electron density, called localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs), giving them a broad range of potential applications. Mg is an earth-abundant plasmonic material attracting growing attention owing to its ability to sustain LSPRs across the ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared wavelength range. Tuning the LSPR frequency of plasmonic nanoparticles requires precise control over their size and shape; for Mg, this control has previously been achieved using top-down fabrication or gas-phase methods, but these are slow and expensive. Here, we systematically probe the effects of reaction parameters on the nucleation and growth of Mg nanoparticles using a facile and inexpensive colloidal synthesis. Small NPs of 80 nm were synthesized using a low reaction time of 1 min and ∼100 nm NPs were synthesized by decreasing the overall reaction concentration, replacing the naphthalene electron carrier with biphenyl or using metal salt additives of FeCl3 or NiCl2 at longer reaction times of 17 h. Intermediate sizes up to 400 nm were further selected via the overall reaction concentration or using other metal salt additives with different reduction potentials. Significantly larger particles of over a micrometer were produced by reducing the reaction temperature and, thus, the nucleation rate. We showed that increasing the solvent coordination reduced Mg NP sizes, while scaling up the reaction reduced the mixing efficiency and produced larger NPs. Surprisingly, varying the relative amounts of Mg precursor and electron carrier had little impact on the final NP sizes. These results pave the way for the large-scale use of Mg as a low-cost and sustainable plasmonic material.

Enabling VCSEL-on-silicon nitride photonic integrated circuits with micro-transfer-printing

New wavelength domains have become accessible for photonic integrated circuits (PICs) with the development of silicon nitride PICs. In particular, the visible and near-infrared wavelength range is of interest for a range of sensing and communication applications. The integration of energy-efficient III-V lasers, such as vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs), is important for expanding the application portfolio of such PICs. However, most of the demonstrated integration approaches are not easily scalable towards low-cost and large-volume production. In this work, we demonstrate the micro-transfer-printing of bottom-emitting VCSELs on silicon nitride PICs as a path to achieve this. The demonstrated 850 nm lasers show waveguide-coupled powers exceeding 100 µW, with sub-mA lasing thresholds and mW-level power consumption. A single-mode laser with a side-mode suppression ratio over 45 dB and a tuning range of 5 nm is demonstrated. Combining micro-transfer-printing integration with the extended-cavity VCSEL design developed in this work provides the silicon nitride PIC industry with a great tool to integrate energy-efficient VCSELs onto silicon nitride PICs.

Triple-band perfect absorber based on the gold-Al2O3-grating structure in visible and near-infrared wavelength range

Triple-band perfect absorber based on the gold-Al2O3-grating structure in visible and near-infrared wavelength range

Characterization of predictable quantum efficient detector at 488 nm and 785 nm wavelengths with an order of magnitude change of incident optical power

We investigate the predictable quantum efficient detector (PQED) in the visible and near-infrared wavelength range. The PQED consists of two n-type induced junction photodiodes with Al2O3 entrance window. Measurements are performed at the wavelengths of 488 nm and 785 nm with incident power levels ranging from 100 µW to 1000 µW. A new way of presenting the normalized photocurrents on a logarithmic scale as a function of bias voltage reveals two distinct negative slope regions and allows direct comparison of charge carrier losses at different wavelengths. The comparison indicates mechanisms that can be understood on the basis of different penetration depths at different wavelengths (0.77 μm at 488 nm and 10.2 μm at 785 nm). The difference in the penetration depths leads also to larger difference in the charge-carrier losses at low bias voltages than at high voltages due to the voltage dependence of the depletion region.

Polydimethylsiloxane tissue-mimicking phantoms with tunable optical properties

.SignificanceThe polymer, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), has been increasingly used to make tissue simulating phantoms due to its excellent processability, durability, flexibility, and limited tunability of optical, mechanical, and thermal properties. We report on a robust technique to fabricate PDMS-based tissue-mimicking phantoms where the broad range of scattering and absorption properties are independently adjustable in the visible- to near-infrared wavelength range from 500 to 850 nm. We also report on an analysis method to concisely quantify the phantoms’ broadband characteristics with four parameters.AimWe report on techniques to manufacture and characterize solid tissue-mimicking phantoms of PDMS polymers. Tunability of the absorption () and reduced scattering coefficient spectra () in the wavelength range of 500 to 850 nm is demonstrated by adjusting the concentrations of light absorbing carbon black powder (CBP) and light scattering titanium dioxide powder (TDP) added into the PDMS base material.ApproachThe and of the phantoms were obtained through measurements with a broadband integrating sphere system and by applying an inverse adding doubling algorithm. Analyses of and of the phantoms, by fitting them to linear and power law functions, respectively, demonstrate that independent control of and is possible by systematically varying the concentrations of CBP and TDP.ResultsOur technique quantifies the phantoms with four simple fitting parameters enabling a concise tabulation of their broadband optical properties as well as comparisons to the optical properties of biological tissues. We demonstrate that, to a limited extent, the scattering properties of our phantoms mimic those of human tissues of various types. A possible way to overcome this limitation is demonstrated with phantoms that incorporate polystyrene microbead scatterers.ConclusionsOur manufacturing and analysis techniques may further promote the application of PDMS-based tissue-mimicking phantoms and may enable robust quality control and quality checks of the phantoms.

Design of a polarization splitter for an ultra-broadband dual-core photonic crystal fiber

A novel ultra-broadband polarization splitter based on a dual-core photonic crystal fiber (DC-PCF) is designed. The full-vector finite element method and coupled-mode theory are employed to investigate the characteristics of the polarization splitter. According to the numerical results, a graphene-filled layer not only broadens the working bandwidth but also reduces the size of the polarization splitter. Furthermore, the fluorine-doped region and the germanium-doped region can broaden the bandwidth. Also, the 4.78 mm long polarization splitter can achieve an extinction ratio of –98.6 dB at a wavelength of 1550 nm. When extinction ratio is less than –20 dB, the range of the wavelength is 1027 nm–1723 nm with a bandwidth of 696 nm. Overall, the polarization splitter can be applied to all-optical network communication systems in the infrared and near-infrared wavelength range.

C60 cation as the carrier of the λ 9577 Å and λ 9632 Å diffuse interstellar bands: further support from the VLT/X-Shooter spectra

ABSTRACT Ever since they were first detected over 100 yr ago, the mysterious diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs), a set of several hundred broad absorption features seen against distant stars in the optical and near-infrared wavelength range, largely remain unidentified. The close match, both in wavelengths and in relative strengths, recently found between the experimental absorption spectra of gas-phase buckminsterfullerene ions (C$_{60}^{+}$) and four DIBs at $\lambda 9632\, {\rm \mathring{\rm A}}$, $\lambda 9577\, {\rm \mathring{\rm A}}$, $\lambda 9428\, {\rm \mathring{\rm A}}$ and $\lambda 9365\, {\rm \mathring{\rm A}}$ (and, to a lesser degree, a weaker DIB at $\lambda 9348\, {\rm \mathring{\rm A}}$) suggests that C$_{60}^{+}$ is a promising carrier for these DIBs. However, arguments against the C$_{60}^{+}$ identification remain and are mostly concerned with the large variation in the intensity ratios of the $\lambda 9632\, {\rm \mathring{\rm A}}$ and $\lambda 9577\, {\rm \mathring{\rm A}}$ DIBs. In this work, we search for these DIBs in the X-shooter archival data of the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope, and we identify the $\lambda 9632\, {\rm \mathring{\rm A}}$, $\lambda 9577\, {\rm \mathring{\rm A}}$, $\lambda 9428\, {\rm \mathring{\rm A}}$ and $\lambda 9365\, {\rm \mathring{\rm A}}$ DIBs in a sample of 25 stars. While the $\lambda 9428\, {\rm \mathring{\rm A}}$ and $\lambda 9365\, {\rm \mathring{\rm A}}$ DIBs are too noisy to allow any reliable analysis, the $\lambda 9632\, {\rm \mathring{\rm A}}$ and $\lambda 9577\, {\rm \mathring{\rm A}}$ DIBs are unambiguously detected and, after correcting for telluric water vapour absorption, their correlation can be used to probe their origin. To this end, we select a subsample of nine hot, O- or B0-type stars of which the stellar Mg ii contamination to the $\lambda 9632\, {\rm \mathring{\rm A}}$ DIB is negligibly small. We find that their equivalent widths, after being normalized by reddening to eliminate their common correlation with the density of interstellar clouds, exhibit a tight, positive correlation, supporting C$_{60}^{+}$ as the carrier of the $\lambda 9632\, {\rm \mathring{\rm A}}$ and $\lambda 9577\, {\rm \mathring{\rm A}}$ DIBs.

In Vitro Evaluation of DSPE-PEG (5000) Amine SWCNT Toxicity and Efficacy as a Novel Nanovector Candidate in Photothermal Therapy by Response Surface Methodology (RSM).

Nowadays, finding a novel, effective, biocompatible, and minimally invasive cancer treatment is of great importance. One of the most promising research fields is the development of biocompatible photothermal nanocarriers. PTT (photothermal therapy) with an NIR (near-infrared) wavelength range (700–2000 nm) would cause cell death by increasing intercellular and intracellular temperature. PTT could also be helpful to overcome drug resistance during cancer treatments. In this study, an amine derivative of phospholipid poly ethylene glycol (DSPE-PEG (5000) amine) was conjugated with SWCNTs (single-walled carbon nanotubes) to reduce their intrinsic toxicity. Toxicity studies were performed on lung, liver, and ovarian cancer cell lines that were reported to show some degree of drug resistance to cisplatin. Toxicity results suggested that DSPE-PEG (5000) amine SWCNTs might be biocompatible photothermal nanocarriers in PTT. Therefore, our next step was to investigate the effect of DSPE-PEG (5000) amine SWCNT concentration, cell treatment time, and laser fluence on the apoptosis/necrosis of SKOV3 cells post-NIR exposure by RSM and experimental design software. It was concluded that photothermal efficacy and total apoptosis would be dose-dependent in terms of DSPE-PEG (5000) amine SWCNT concentration and fluence. Optimal solutions which showed the highest apoptosis and lowest necrosis were then achieved.

Enhancing Photoelectrochemical Energy Storage by Large-Area CdS-Coated Nickel Nanoantenna Arrays

The integration of thin films made up of periodic plasmonic nanostructures and semiconductors holds great potential to develop efficient technologies for photoelectrochemical solar energy conversion and storage. However, to date, only periodic nanoantenna arrays made up of Au have been explored, posing severe limitations in terms of scalability and costs. Here, we show that nickel nanopillar arrays can support complex electromagnetic resonances that strongly enhance the photoelectrochemical response of CdS thin films. By controlling the pitch size and diameter of the nanopillars, we obtain broadband light absorption from the ultraviolet (UV) to the near-infrared (NIR) wavelength range, thus achieving large photocurrent enhancements compared to a planar Ni/CdS sample and in line with those generated by previously reported Au nanostructures. The photocurrent enhancement is attributed to photonic modes in the UV and hybrid cavity-plasmonic modes in the visible and NIR ranges, which give rise to efficient energy transfer and hot carrier injection between metallic structures, the semiconductor, and the electrolyte. The developed nanopillar arrays are promising candidates for photoelectrochemical devices fully exploiting the solar spectrum and using Earth-abundant raw materials.