Normal Incidence Of Light Research Articles

Engineering quasi-bound states in the continuum in asymmetric waveguide gratings

Abstract The occurrence of quasi-bound states in the continuum (qBIC) in all-dielectric asymmetric grating waveguide couplers with different degrees of asymmetry under normal light incidence is analysed from the viewpoint of identifying the most promising configuration for realizing the highest quality (Q) factor under the condition of utmost efficiency (i.e. total extinction). Considering asymmetric gratings produced by altering every Nth ridge of a conventional (symmetric) grating coupler, we analyse different regimes corresponding to the interplay between diffractive coupling to waveguide modes and band gap effects caused by the Bragg reflection of waveguide modes. The symmetric and double- and triple-period asymmetric grating couplers are considered in detail for the same unperturbed two-mode waveguide and the grating coupler parameters that ensure the occurrence of total transmission extinction at the same wavelengths. It is found that the highest Q is expected for the double-period asymmetric grating, a feature that we explain by the circumstance that the first-order distributed Bragg resonator (DBR) is realized for this configuration while, for other configurations, the second-order DBR comes into play. Experiments conducted at telecom wavelengths for all three cases using thin-film Al2O3-on-MgF2 waveguides and Ge diffraction gratings exhibit the transmission spectra in qualitative agreement with numerical simulations. Since the occurrence of considered qBIC can be analytically predicted, the results obtained may serve as reliable guidelines for intelligent engineering of asymmetric grating waveguide couplers enabling highly resonant, linear and nonlinear, electromagnetic interactions.

Metamaterial-induced-transparency engineering through quasi-bound states in the continuum by using dielectric cross-shaped trimers

This study presents a novel approach to activate a narrowband transparency line within a reflecting broadband window in all-dielectric metasurfaces, in analogy to the electromagnetically-induced transparency effect, by means of a quasi-bound state in the continuum (qBIC). We demonstrate that the resonance overlapping of a bright mode and a qBIC-based nearly-dark mode with distinct Q-factor can be fully governed by a silicon trimer-based unit cell with broken-inversion-symmetry cross shape, thus providing the required response under normal incidence of a linearly-polarized light. Our analysis that is derived from the far-field multipolar decomposition and near-field electromagnetic distributions uncovers the main contributions of different multipoles on the qBIC resonance, with governing magnetic dipole and electric quadrupole terms supplied by distinct parts of the dielectric “molecule”. The findings extracted from this research open up new avenues for the development of polarization-dependent technologies, with particular interest in its capabilities for sensing and biosensing.

Theoretical study of a tunable optical device on the base of magnetoactive cholesteric liquid crystals

We investigated the light reflection from half-space of cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) being in external static magnetic field directed along the helix axis at normal light incidence. In this case there appear three photonic band gaps (PBGs) and these bands can be tuned in large intervals. We found the eigenpolarizations (EPs) at reflection of light from half-space and investigated their peculiarities. We have shown that in the absence both of absorption and of external magnetic field and at minimal influence of dielectric boundary (when the dielectric permittivity of isotropic half-space which borders with CLC half-space is equal to the CLC's mean dielectric permittivity) these polarizations are orthogonal. While, in the presence of external magnetic field they become quasi-orthogonal everywhere outside the main PBG (which exist also at the absence of external magnetic field), and they are significantly non-orthogonal within the main PBG. At some values of helix pitch they become significantly non-orthogonal practically everywhere. Moreover, in this case there exist some special points where the EPs degenerate. This system can apply as tunable narrow-band or broad-band filter and mirror, a highly tunable broad/narrow-band optical diode, and other devices.

Numerical study of mid-infrared broadband perfect absorber based on dielectric/aluminium doped zinc oxide multilayer films

We propose a lithography-free wide-angle polarization-insensitive ultra-broadband absorber by using multilayer films consist of five pairs of aluminium doped zinc oxide (AZO) and a dielectric film which is supposed to be fabricated on glass substrate. The absorption spectrum of the proposed model is calculated by using transfer matrix method. The analytic results show that the absorptivity is larger than 95% with normal incidence light in the wavelength range from 7.5μm to 20μm and having high transmittance at the visible wavelength range from 0.4μm to 0.8μm range. Further, the effect of incident angle and polarization on the absorption spectrum are also investigated. The absorption spectrum of the proposed design is highly tunable on changing the damping constant of the AZO film. The electric field and magnetic distributions at different wavelengths show that the absorption is mainly originated due to the constructive interference of electromagnetic waves in the multilayer films. Such physical mechanism of broadening bandwidth based on increasing the carrier concentration of the highly visible transparent conducting films have pave a new direction for the design of tunable broadband absorber in different frequency band. Meanwhile, this broadband absorber is a good candidate for the potential applications in daytime radiation cooling system in the mid-infrared frequency band and also used as transparent conducting electrode in solar cell applications.

1D Topological Photonic Crystal based Nanosensor for Tuberculosis Detection.

In this study, we present a nanosized biosensor based on the photobiological properties of one-dimensional (1D) topological photonic crystals (PCs). A topological structure had been designed by combining two photonic crystal structures (PC 1 and PC 2) comprised of functional material layers, Si and SiO2. These two, PC 1 and PC 2, differ in terms of the thickness and arrangement of these dielectric materials. We carried out a comparison between two distinct topological photonic crystals: one using random photonic crystals, and the other featuring a mirror heterostructure. Tuberculosis may be diagnosed by inserting a sensor layer into 1D topological photonic crystals. The sensing process is based on the refractive indexes of the analytes in the sensor layer. When the 1D-topological heterostructure-based PC and its mirror-image structures are stacked together, the sensor becomes more efficient for analyte detection than the conventional PCs. The random-based topological photonic crystal outperformed the heterostructure-based topological photonic crystal in analyte sensing. Photonic media witness notable blue shifts due to the analytes' variations in refractive index. The numerical results of the sensor are computed using the transfer matrix approach. Effective results are achieved by optimizing the thicknesses of the sensor layer and dielectric layers; number of periods and incident angle. In normal incident light, the developed sensor shows a high sensitivity of 1500 nm/RIU with a very low limit of detection in the order of 2.24E-06 RIU and a high-quality factor of 30659.54.

High-Sensitivity Optical Sensors Empowered by Quasi-Bound States in the Continuum in a Hybrid Metal-Dielectric Metasurface.

Enhancing light-matter interaction is a key requisite in the realm of optical sensors. Bound states in the continuum (BICs), possessing high quality factors (Q factors), have shown great advantages in sensing applications. Recent theories elucidate the ability of BICs with hybrid metal-dielectric architectures to achieve high Q factors and high sensitivities. However, the experimental validation of the sensing performance in such hybrid systems remains equivocal. In this study, we propose two symmetry-protected quasi-BIC modes in a metal-dielectric metasurface. Our results demonstrate that, under the normal incidence of light, the quasi-BIC mode dominated by dielectric can achieve a high Q factor of 412 and a sensing performance with a high bulk sensitivity of 492.7 nm/RIU (refractive index unit) and a figure of merit (FOM) of 266.3 RIU-1, while the quasi-BIC mode dominated by metal exhibits a stronger surface affinity in the biotin-streptavidin bioassay. These findings offer a promising approach for implementing metasurface-based sensors, representing a paradigm for high-sensitivity biosensing platforms.

Asymmetric Transmission in Diffractive Chiral Metasurfaces Consisting of Nanoantennas

We have studied the asymmetric transmission in diffractive chiral metasurfaces consisting of nanoantennas. The study was made of lattice plasmon modes on the phenomenon of asymmetric transmission in chiral two dimensional arrays of plasmonic nanoparticles. It was demonstrated that asymmetric transmission resulted from contribution of higher order diffracted waves. It was shown that the isolated nanostructures has a fourfold rotational symmetry, the diffractive metasurfaces exhibited asymmetric transmission for normal incidence light within spectral range for which lattice plasmon modes were supported. It was found that lattice plasmon modes played role in enabling symmetric transmission in diffractive chiral metasurfaces. The symmetric transmission mechanism is due to different lattice plasmon mode excitation efficiencies of left circularly polarized and right circularly polarized and right circularly polarized light. The excitation efficiencies are controlled by tailoring the nano particles in plan distribution of scattered light for circularly polarized excitation and its alignment with the inplane diffraction orders of the metasurfaces. The phenomenon for a metasurface composed of an array of a chiral nanoparticles consisting of four nanoantennas. It was shown that the Rayleigh anomaly condition where the asymmetric transmission effect was strongest and metasurfaces supported lattice plasmon modes. It was found that the difference in the inplane scattered intensity varied as a function of the inplane angle around the nanostructure, rotating the nanostructure in the plane of the metasurface. The obtained results found in good agreement with previously obtained results.

Brightening and Directionality Control of Dark Excitons through Quasi-Bound States in the Continuum

Thanks to their long lifetime, spin-forbidden dark excitons in transition metal dichalcogenides are promising candidates for storage applications in opto-electronics and valleytronics. To date, their study has been hindered by inefficient generation mechanisms and the necessity for elaborate detection schemes. In this work, we propose a new hybrid platform that simultaneously addresses both challenges. We study an all-dielectric metasurface with two symmetrically protected quasi-bound states in the continuum to enhance both the excitation and emission of dark excitons in a tungsten diselenide monolayer under normal light incidence. Our simulations show a giant photoluminescence signal enhancement (∼520) along with directional emission, thus offering distinct advantages for opto-electronic and valleytronic devices.

Large-scale plasmonic nanodisk array as a biosensing platform fabricated by transfer nanoprinting.

Surface plasmon resonance based on nanostructures has been a powerful analytical tool in rapid detection and analysis of biomolecules. However, the fabrication of nanostructure sensors, such as electron beam lithography and focused ion beam milling, has inherent defects as manufacturing cost, complex process flow, and small fabrication area. In this paper, using the transfer nanoprinting approach based on an ultrathin anodic aluminum oxide membrane, a centimeter-scale ordered periodic Ag-ZnS bilayer nanodisk on Au film with a low cost and simple process is fabricated. A surface plasmon polariton Bloch mode from nanodisk arrays is experimentally demonstrated at normal incident of light. The plasmonic platform exhibits an ideal refractive index bulk sensitivity of up to 438nm/RIU. Furthermore, by using a polyelectrolyte bilayer with well-defined thickness, the surface sensitivity of the biosensing platform is also investigated. The large-scale plasmonic bilayer nanoparticle biosensing platform has broad application prospects in development of low-cost and high-performance biosensing chips.

Compact meta-optics infrared camera based on a polarization-insensitive metalens with a large field of view.

Metasurfaces have recently emerged as a crucial tool because they achieve spherical-aberration-free focusing when exposed to normal incident light. Nevertheless, these metasurfaces often exhibit considerable coma when subjected to oblique incident light, thereby limiting their imaging field of view. In light of this, our study presents the design and an experimental demonstration of a polarization-insensitive, large-field-of-view metalens that uses a silicon metasurface. The metalens is specifically tailored to the long-wavelength infrared region and possesses a numerical aperture of 0.81, which is capable of focusing light at incident angles up to ±80°. Moreover, we successfully build a meta-optics camera by integrating the large field-of-view metalens on top of an image sensor, thus enabling wide-angle thermal imaging of practical scenes. This research provides new, to the best of our knowledge, insights for designing and realizing large-field-of-view optical systems and holds promise for applications in night vision imaging and security monitoring.

A novel organic semiconductor 4-phenylthiazol-2-yl-(phenylhydrazono) acetonitrile (PTPA) thin films: synthesis, optical and electrical properties

In this study, 4-phenylthiazol-2-yl-(phenylhydrazono) acetonitrile (PTPA) azo dye was synthesized and studied from optical and electrical point of view. The tautomerization phenomenon of the PTPA dye was clarified using one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) nuclear magnetic resonance (1HNMR and 13C NMR), absorbance (UV-Vis), emission, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). X-ray diffraction (XRD) evaluations were indicated that PTPA in powder and thin films crystallizes in a monoclinic system structure with nonstructural characteristics. Spectrophotometric measurements of absorbance A (λ), transmittance T (λ) and reflectance R (λ) at normal incidence light in the wavelength range 200–2500 nm were used to determine the optical band gap, extinction coefficient, k and refractive index, n. Also, non-linear optical parameters such as the third order non-linear susceptibility, χ(3) and nonlinear refractive index, n(2) of PTPA have revealed an awe-inspiring switching behavior, implying the possibility of using PTPA in optical switching systems. Finally, the electrical conductivity of the PTPA was shown to increase with rising temperature, indicating that it is a typical organic semiconductor. Mott’s parameters were determined and discussed at low temperatures. Thus, PTPA is a promising organic semiconductor with broad utility potential in organic electronics such as organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs).

The Design of a Multilayer and Planar Metamaterial with the Multi-Functions of a High-Absorptivity and Ultra-Broadband Absorber and a Narrowband Sensor

The aim of this study is to enhance the design of a multilayer and planar metamaterial that serves multiple functions, including high efficiency and ultra-broadband absorption, as well as acting as a narrowband sensor. The primary feature of this absorber is its fully planar structure, which enables the flexible utilization of two distinct absorption functionalities: ultra-broadband absorption, achieved through the application of the MgF2 layer, and narrowband absorption, achieved through the implementation of the Cu layer. To conduct the simulation analyses, COMSOL Multiphysics® simulation software (version 6.0) was employed. The initial innovation lies in the fact that upon irradiation of normal incident light on MgF2 side, the material exhibited an exceptional average absorptivity of 97.0% across an ultra-broadband range spanning from 410 to approximately 2300 nm. Moreover, when the same normal incident light was radiated on the Cu side, the material demonstrated a distinct peak at a precise wavelength of 480 nm, accompanied by an absorptivity of 95.66%. Notably, these results were obtained with the added benefit of angle insensitivity. Such characteristics arise due to the multiple excitation of diverse resonant modes facilitated by the localized surface plasmon resonance and metal–insulator–metal Fabry–Perot cavity. The second innovation focuses on demonstrating that MgF2 can serve as an effective anti-reflection layer, enhancing the absorptivity of the ultra-broadband absorber. The third innovation aims to establish that Cu is the optimal metal choice. Even substituting Cu with other metals did not diminish the absorptivity of the ultra-broadband absorber; it should be noted that alternative metals might negatively impact the absorptivity of the narrowband absorber.

Berry curvature dipole generation and helicity-to-spin conversion at symmetry-mismatched heterointerfaces.

The Berry curvature dipole (BCD) is a key parameter that describes the geometric nature of energy bands in solids. It defines the dipole-like distribution of Berry curvature in the band structure and plays a key role in emergent nonlinear phenomena. The theoretical rationale is that the BCD can be generated at certain symmetry-mismatched van der Waals heterointerfaces even though each material has no BCD in its band structure. However, experimental confirmation of such a BCD induced via breaking of the interfacial symmetry remains elusive. Here we demonstrate a universal strategy for BCD generation and observe BCD-induced gate-tunable spin-polarized photocurrent at WSe2/SiP interfaces. Although the rotational symmetry of each material prohibits the generation of spin photocurrent under normal incidence of light, we surprisingly observe a direction-selective spin photocurrent at the WSe2/SiP heterointerface with a twist angle of 0°, whose amplitude is electrically tunable with the BCD magnitude. Our results highlight a BCD-spin-valley correlation and provide a universal approach for engineering the geometric features of twisted heterointerfaces.

Electrical and optical properties of p-Si based structures with lead oxide interfaces

Lead oxide thin film was performed by evaporation technique on the p-Si type substrate. The studied film was characterized using the UV–VIS spectroscopy method. The reflectance and transmittance measurements conducted at the normal incident of light between 300 and 1000 nm were analyzed to determine the optical dispersion of the film. It was estimated that the film' optical transmittance was 77% in the visible range The obtained absorption coefficient greater than 104 cm−1 showed that the electron transition was direct. The optical band gap energy value of the film was computed as 3.22 eV. Also, the electrical features of Al/PbO/p-Si diode were examined by observing its current–voltage (I-V) behavior at room temperature. Zero-bias barrier height (Φb0), ideality factor (n), series resistance (Rs) were obtained using the conventional Norde, I-V and Cheung methods. Also, the diode’s dominant current conduction mechanisms were examined using the forward bias I-V data.

Controlling the light diffraction through a single subwavelength metallic slit via phase gradient

In this work, we show that the concept of phase gradient metasurfaces provides a versatile way to control the diffraction of light through small holes or slits. As an example, we consider a single subwavelength metallic slit surrounded by air grooves of gradient depth that induces the expected phase gradient. It is found that for normal incident light, the phase gradient can enable unidirectional excitation of surface plasmons, which flow directionally toward the slit, resulting in extraordinary optical transmission beyond that in conventional ways. Using this scheme, unidirectional radiation of an optical dipole located inside the slit can be obtained when different phase gradients are applied to both sides of the metal plate.

Polarization-insensitive and wide-angle absorber operating in the visible and near-infrared regimes

This paper investigates a wideband metamaterial absorber (MMA) operating in visible and near-infrared regimes of electromagnetic spectra. The top metasurface of the proposed absorber is made of periodic cube-shaped rods made up of nickel metal and silicon dioxide. The wideband absorption of greater than 80% is achieved when operating from 400 to 1000 nm for normal incidence of light. The results show that the absorption of the absorber is due to the electric resonance of the MMA. Moreover, it was noticed that the polarization-insensitive nature of the MMA is due to the four-folded symmetry of the top Ni-SiO2 cube rods. The absorption was analyzed for the obliquity of the incidence of light. Besides that, the absorber shows large angular stability to the incidence light. The proposed absorber would be practical for solar heating and solar power generation, which can be used in light-based absorption applications.

Plasmon mediated extra-ordinary optical transmission through an apertureless plasmonic metagrating

Extra-ordinary optical transmission (EOT) through subwavelength plasmonic nanoapertures is possible due to the funneling of light via surface plasmons (SPs) at the resonant wavelengths through the apertures. In this Letter, we experimentally demonstrate EOT through a plasmonic metagrating which does not have any open apertures. The plasmonic metagrating was fabricated by deposition of silver (Ag) on a one-dimensionally patterned flexible and transparent polydimethylsiloxane grating obtained via pattern imprinting and subsequent peeling off a commercially available blue ray disk. For normal incidence of transverse magnetic-polarized light on the top surface of plasmonic metagrating, transmission of light through it was obtained in the visible wavelength range of electromagnetic spectrum. Control experiments on variation of Ag film thickness were performed to attain optimal parameters for maximum transmission, followed by polarization and refractive index (RI) dependent performance of the plasmonic metagrating. Electric fields and Poynting vector profiles were simulated using a finite element method to explain the interaction of light with the plasmonic metagrating and the mechanism of plasmon mediated optical transmission. Such a large optical transmission is possible because the SP modes generated at metal–air interface penetrate through metagrating and couple with those supported by the metal–substrate interface. As a model application, RI sensing using the plasmonic metagrating was demonstrated. The present study shows that optical transmission is possible from apertureless structures and enriches literature with better understanding of EOT. Moreover, it opens avenues for development of flexible, cost-effective plasmonic metagratings for sensors, spectral filters, polarizers, etc.

Anodizing aluminum in a viscous electrolyte to produce one-dimensional photonic crystals

In the paper, the possibility to produce anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) featuring one-dimensional photonic crystal along the normal to the surface is shown. The AAO structure is represented by alternating layers of different porosity and is formed in a viscous electrolyte based on sulfuric acid and ethylene glycol at the periodically varying from high (1.8 mA/cm2) to low (0.4 mA/cm2) current density with a rectangular pulse shape. The pore sizes and interpore distance, pore density and porosity, thickness and period of the AAO structure have been determined. The specular reflection spectra features for single layers that make up the AAO structure and for one-dimensional photonic crystals structures consisting of 165 periods have been studied. An increase in the porosity of the upper layers of the structure due to chemical etching of the pores during the oxide growth is noted. It is shown that the invariance of the spectral position of the photonic band gap for AAO structures is achieved by a 0.1 % decrease in charge at each subsequent anodizing cycle during their formation, which leads to a decrease in the period of the structure in the lower layers, compensating for the increase in the upper layers porosity. The reflection spectra have been analyzed for the incidence angles of 10° and 30° and used to calculate the period of the structure and the effective refractive index. The effective refractive index of the single layers that make up the AAO structure is calculated using the optical Fabry–Perot oscillations. For AAO with the properties of one-dimensional photonic crystal, a green color is observed at normal light incidence, and an iridescent color is observed when the angle changes. AAO can be used as a decorative coating on the housings of electronic devices (tablets, laptops, phones, etc.) and when creating design objects made of aluminum and its alloys.

Enhanced absorption of infrared light for quantum wells in coupled pillar-cavity arrays.

Periodic pillars of semiconductor in sub-wavelength size can serve multiple roles as diffracting, trapping and absorbing light for effective photoelectric conversion which has been intensively studied in the visible range. Here, we design and fabricate the micro-pillar arrays of AlGaAs/GaAs multi quantum wells(QWs) for high performance detection of long wavelength infrared light. Compared to its planar counterpart, the array offers 5.1 times intensified absorption at peak wavelength of 8.7 µm with 4 times shrinked electrical area. It's illustrated by simulation that the normal incident light is guided in the pillars by HE11 resonant cavity mode to form strengthened Ez electrical field, which enables the inter-subband transition of n-type QWs. Moreover, the thick active region of dielectric cavity that contains 50 periods of QWs with fairly low doping concentration will be beneficial to the optical and electrical merits of the detectors. This study demonstrates an inclusive scheme to substantially raise the signal to ratio of infrared detection with all-semiconductor photonic structures.

Enhanced the sensitivity of one-dimensional photonic crystals infiltrated with cancer cells

In this work, we use a one-dimensional photonic crystal as a biosensor composed of alternating GaAs and air layers. Within the cavity where they are infiltrated, the Normal, Jurkat, HeLa, PC-12, MDA-MB-231, and MCF-7 cells are bounded by layers of nanocomposite and graphene to increase biosensor sensitivity. The transmission spectrum was calculated using the transfer matrix method. We observed that, when the structural periodicity is broken, defect modes that characterize each cell are created. These defect modes move at a wavelength as the dielectric constant increases. Additionally, the separation between defect modes and bandwidth determines sensitivity, Q factor, and FOM, in which average values of 406.84 nm/RIU, 1765.53, and 535.44 were obtained, respectively, for normal light incidence. Regarding Transverse-Electric (TE) and Transverse-Magnetic (TM) polarization, the defect modes shift toward shorter wavelengths as the angle of incidence increases. For TE polarization, transmittance decreased and the distance between the modes increased. At a 50° angle, sensitivity, Q factor, and FOM increased up to 497.55 nm/RIU, 3182.02, and 1401.25, respectively. Conversely, at a 50° angle in TM polarization, sensitivity remained constant at a value of 407 nm/RIU, along with increased transmittance and decreased performance. Finally, sensitivity and performance were optimized by modifying the cavity thickness value at an incidence angle of 30° for TE polarization, and at an incidence angle of 10° for TM polarization. In both cases, the increased cavity thickness shifted the defect modes toward longer wavelengths while increasing sensitivity up to 495.75 nm/RIU for TE and 451.33 nm/RIU for TM.