Surface Phonon Polariton Modes Research Articles

Grating-coupled Otto configuration for hybridized surface phonon polariton excitation for local refractive index sensitivity enhancement.

We demonstrate numerically through rigorous coupled wave analysis (RCWA) that replacing the prism in the Otto configuration with gratings enables us to excite and control different modes and field patterns of surface phonon polaritons (SPhPs) through the incident wavelength and height of the Otto spacing layer. This modified Otto configuration provides us the following multiple modes, namely, SPhP mode, Fabry-Pérot (FP) cavity resonance, dielectric waveguide grating resonance (DWGR) and hybridized between different combinations of the above mentioned modes. We show that this modified grating-coupled Otto configuration has a highly confined field pattern within the structure, making it more sensitive to local refractive index changes on the SiC surface. The hybridized surface phonon polariton modes also provide a stronger field enhancement compared to conventional pure mode excitation.

Waveguide-coupled surface phonon resonance sensors with super-resolution in the mid-infrared region.

A waveguide-coupled surface phonon resonance (SPhR) sensor with super-resolution based on Fano resonance (FR) by using a multilayer system within the Kretschmann configuration in the mid-infrared wavelength region is proposed. Due to the coherent interference of the waveguide and the surface phonon polariton modes, the calculated reflectivity spectrum possesses sharp asymmetric FR dips. An ultra-small linewidth is formed because of the Fano coupling, and the physical features contribute to a highly efficient nano-sensor for refractive index sensing. The bulk and surface sensitivity by intensities are greatly enhanced relative to those of conventional SPhR sensors.

Near-Field Infrared Pump-Probe Imaging of Surface Phonon Coupling in Boron Nitride Nanotubes.

Surface phonon modes are lattice vibrational modes of a solid surface. Two common surface modes, called longitudinal and transverse optical modes, exhibit lattice vibration along or perpendicular to the direction of the wave. We report a two-color, infrared pump-infrared probe technique based on scattering type near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) to spatially resolve coupling between surface phonon modes. Spatially varying couplings between the longitudinal optical and surface phonon polariton modes of boron nitride nanotubes are observed, and a simple model is proposed.

Surface and interface phonon-polaritons in freestanding quantum well wire systems of polar ternary mixed crystals

The surface and interface phonon-polaritons in freestanding rectangular quantum well wire systems consisting of polar ternary mixed crystals are investigated in the modified random-element-isodisplacement model and the Born–Huang approximation, based on the Maxwell's equations with the boundary conditions. The numerical results of the surface and interface phonon-polariton frequencies as functions of the wave-vector, geometric structure, and the composition of the ternary mixed crystals in GaAs/AlxGa1−xAs and ZnxCd1−xSe/ZnSe quantum well wire systems are obtained and discussed. It is shown that there are 10 and 8 branches of surface and interface phonon-polaritons in the two quantum well wire systems respectively. The effects of the “two-mode” and “one-mode” behaviors of the ternary mixed crystals on the surface and interface phonon-polariton modes are shown in the dispersion curves.

Tunable Light-Matter Interaction and the Role of Hyperbolicity in Graphene-hBN System.

Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is a natural hyperbolic material, which can also accommodate highly dispersive surface phonon-polariton modes. In this paper, we examine theoretically the mid-infrared optical properties of graphene-hBN heterostructures derived from their coupled plasmon-phonon modes. We find that the graphene plasmon couples differently with the phonons of the two Reststrahlen bands, owing to their different hyperbolicity. This also leads to distinctively different interaction between an external quantum emitter and the plasmon-phonon modes in the two bands, leading to substantial modification of its spectrum. The coupling to graphene plasmons allows for additional gate tunability in the Purcell factor and narrow dips in its emission spectra.

Electrically tunable near-field radiative heat transfer via ferroelectric materials

We explore ways to actively control near-field radiative heat transfer between two surfaces that relies on electrical tuning of phonon modes of ferroelectric materials. Ferroelectrics are widely used for tunable electrical devices, such as capacitors and memory devices; however, their tunable properties have not yet been examined for heat transfer applications. We show via simulations that radiative heat transfer between two ferroelectric materials can be enhanced by over two orders of magnitude over the blackbody limit in the near field, and can be tuned as much as 16.5% by modulating the coupling between surface phonon polariton modes at the two surfaces via varying external electric fields. We then discuss how to maximize the modulation contrast for tunable thermal devices using the studied mechanism.

An ab-initio coupled mode theory for near field radiative thermal transfer.

We investigate the thermal transfer between finite-thickness planar slabs which support surface phonon polariton modes (SPhPs). The thickness-dependent dispersion of SPhPs in such layered materials provides a unique opportunity to manipulate and enhance the near field thermal transfer. The key accomplishment of this paper is the development of an ab-initio coupled mode theory that accurately describes all of its thermal transfer properties. We illustrate how the coupled mode parameters can be obtained in a direct fashion from the dispersion relation of the relevant modes of the system. This is illustrated for the specific case of a semi-infinite SiC substrate placed in close proximity to a thin slab of SiC. This is a system that exhibits rich physics in terms of its thermal transfer properties, despite the seemingly simple geometry. This includes a universal scaling behavior of the thermal conductance with the slab thickness and spacing. The work highlights and further increases the value of coupled mode theories in rapidly calculating and intuitively understanding near-field transfer.

Surface phonon polariton responses of hexagonal sapphire crystals with non-polar and semi-polar crystallographic planes.

The surface phonon polariton (SPhP) characteristics of hexagonal sapphire crystals with non-polar and semi-polar crystallographic planes are investigated. A formulation that considers the effects of crystal orientation is employed to calculate the SPhP dispersion curves of the samples. The SPhP dispersion curves indicate that the SPhP responses of sapphire crystals in non-polar and semi-polar orientations are directionally sensitive. Resonance frequencies and spectral strengths of the SPhP modes can be modulated simply by tuning the angular positions of the samples. The validity of the theoretical results is confirmed by the polarized infrared attenuated total reflection measurements.

Spectral Tuning of Localized Surface Phonon Polariton Resonators for Low-Loss Mid-IR Applications

Low-loss surface phonon polariton (SPhP) modes supported within polar dielectric crystals are a promising alternative to conventional, metal-based plasmonic systems for the realization of nanophotonic components. Here we show that monopolar excitations in 4H-silicon carbide nanopillar arrays exhibit an unprecedented stable efficiency even when the resonator filling fraction is varied by an order of magnitude. This provides a powerful mid-IR platform with excellent spectral tunability and strong field confinement. Combining IR spectroscopy measurements with full electrodynamic calculations, we elucidate the nature of the optical modes in these elongated subwavelength nanostructures by investigating their spectral behavior and local field dependence on the size and periodicity. The present study also gives a clear understanding and practical guidelines for the spectral tuning of localized SPhP and the coupling mechanisms at play. This work is integral with the development of phonon-polariton based applicati...

Surface and interface phonon-polaritons in four layer systems consisting of polar ternary mixed crystals

Surface and interface phonon-polaritons in a four-layer (vacuum/polar binary crystal slab/polar ternary mixed crystal slab/polar binary crystal substrate) system are investigated with the modified random-element-isodisplacement model and the Born-Huang approximation, based on the Maxwell's equations with the usual boundary conditions. The numerical results of the surface and interface phonon-polariton frequencies as functions of the wave-vector, composition x, and thickness of slab in the two four-layer systems, i.e., AlxGa1-xAs/GaAs and ZnxCd1-xSe/ZnSe, are obtained and discussed. It is shown that there are seven branches of surface and interface phonon-polariton modes in the heterostructure systems, and that the frequencies of the surface and interface modes vary non-linearly with the composition and thickness of slab. The “one mode” and “two mode” behaviors of the ternary mixed crystals are also shown in the dispersion curves.

Surface phonon-polariton enhanced optical forces in silicon carbide nanostructures

The enhanced optical forces induced by surface phonon-polariton (SPhP) modes are investigated in different silicon carbide (SiC) nanostructures. Specifically, we calculate optical forces using the Maxwell stress tensor for three different geometries: spherical particles, slab waveguides, and rectangular waveguides. We show that SPhP modes in SiC can produce very large forces, more than one order of magnitude larger than the surface plasmon-polariton (SPP) forces in analogous metal nanostructures. The material and geometric basis for these large optical forces are examined in terms of dispersive permittivity, separation distance, and operating wavelength.

Low-Loss, Extreme Subdiffraction Photon Confinement via Silicon Carbide Localized Surface Phonon Polariton Resonators

Plasmonics provides great promise for nanophotonic applications. However, the high optical losses inherent in metal-based plasmonic systems have limited progress. Thus, it is critical to identify alternative low-loss materials. One alternative is polar dielectrics that support surface phonon polariton (SPhP) modes, where the confinement of infrared light is aided by optical phonons. Using fabricated 6H-silicon carbide nanopillar antenna arrays, we report on the observation of subdiffraction, localized SPhP resonances. They exhibit a dipolar resonance transverse to the nanopillar axis and a monopolar resonance associated with the longitudinal axis dependent upon the SiC substrate. Both exhibit exceptionally narrow linewidths (7-24 cm(-1)), with quality factors of 40-135, which exceed the theoretical limit of plasmonic systems, with extreme subwavelength confinement of (λ(res)3/V(eff))1/3 = 50-200. Under certain conditions, the modes are Raman-active, enabling their study in the visible spectral range. These observations promise to reinvigorate research in SPhP phenomena and their use for nanophotonic applications.

Quantum entanglement based on surface phonon polaritons in condensed matter systems

Surface phononpolariton (SPhP) is a special propagation mode in condensed matter systems. We present an investigation on the entanglement of SPhP modes. The entangled SPhP pairs are generated through launching entangled photons onto the grating coupling systems. The interaction Hamiltonian for the coupling process between entangled photons and entangled LRSPhPs is derived. State vector of the entangled LRSPhPs is obtained through the perturbation theory. The origin of LRSPhP entanglement is revealed. Wave mechanics approach is taken to describe the coupling process as an alteration. To present the nonlocality, the second-order correlation function is studied.

Super-Planckian near-field thermal emission with phonon-polaritonic hyperbolic metamaterials

We study super-Planckian near-field heat exchanges for multilayer hyperbolic metamaterials using exact scattering-matrix (S-matrix) calculations. We investigate heat exchanges between two multilayer hyperbolic metamaterial structures. We show that the super-Planckian emission of such metamaterials can either come from the presence of surface phonon-polariton modes or from a continuum of hyperbolic modes depending on the choice of composite materials as well as the structural configuration.

Surface phonon–polaritons in rectangular quantum wires of polar ternary mixed crystals

In this paper, the dispersion relations of surface phonon–polaritons in freestanding rectangular quantum wire systems of polar ternary mixed crystals are derived. The numerical calculations for AlxGa1−xAs and ZnxCd1−xSe quantum wire systems are performed. The results reveal that the frequencies of surface phonon–polariton modes are sensitive to the geometric structures of the quantum wires, the wave-vectors in z-direction, and the compositions of the ternary mixed crystal materials. The effects of the “two-mode” and “one-mode” behaviors of the ternary mixed crystals on the surface phonon–polariton modes are also discussed.

Growth of amorphous carbon and graphene on pulse laser deposited SiC films and their characterization studies

AbstractLaser induced ablation studies have been carried out on formation of amorphous carbon and graphene on SiC thin films with their detailed characterization studies. Pulse laser ablation technique with process parameters such as 248 nm KrF excimer laser, frequency 10 Hz, 200 mJ of laser energy, and chamber pressure of 7 × 10−6 mbar has been used. Films were characterized in detail by grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, micro-Raman, X-ray reflectivity, Field emission scanning electron microscopic, transmission electron microscope, and Nano-indentation techniques and the results are reported. As deposited SiC film surface is rich in amorphous carbon and the same has been used as the nucleation site for further growth of graphene on SiC films. Film hardness increased from 29 GPa to 37 GPa for SiC film and graphene on SiC film (C-SiC), respectively. These films show bands due to surface phonon polariton mode in the range of 810–840 cm−1 that is a research concern today in nano-photonics area. Further these materials find applications in understanding the laser irradiation effects on SiC based nuclear fusion wall material.

Negative refraction via radiative surface phonon polaritons in a silicon carbide–based multilayer structure

In this letter, we predict that radiative surface phonon polariton (RSPhP) modes, in a multilayer structure consisting of thin-film silicon carbide (SiC) bounded by silicon (Si) and diamond (Di), can be used to achieve negative refraction of mid-infrared light at approximately 11 μm. Dispersion relations, calculated for the Si/SiC/Di structure, show that the RSPhP mode exhibits negative dispersion and couples with incident light. Poynting vector calculations show how the energy flux may be refracted, negatively, in the SiC layer.

Surface Phonon Polariton Mediated Thermal Conduction of a Micrometric Glass Waveguide

Calculations of the dispersion relation and of the propagation length of surface phonon-polariton modes in a micrometric glass waveguide have been performed. The dispersion relation was solved in two ranges of frequency where SPP appear in glass. We succeeded in showing a maximal propagation length of 35 μm in a 10 μm radius waveguide with a 1 μm thick wall.

Surface and optical phonon characteristics of ZnO/diamond heterostructure

Abstract In this paper, we report on surface and optical phonon properties of ZnO/diamond heterostructure. ZnO thin film was deposited via radio-frequency magnetron sputtering on p -type diamond substrate. Polarized IR reflectance and attenuated total reflection (ATR) techniques were employed to investigate the optical phonon and surface phonon polariton (SPP) of the ZnO/diamond heterostructure, respectively. The obtained experimental spectra were fitted by the theoretical spectra simulated using a standard transfer matrix formulation. Overall, the experimental and theoretical spectra were in good agreement. To verify the origin of the observed ATR dip, surface polariton dispersion spectrum of the studied structure was generated based on standard multilayer reflection mapping technique. The result reveals that the detected ATR dip was attributed to the leaky SPP mode of ZnO.

Berreman mode and epsilon near zero mode

In this paper, we discuss the existence of an electromagnetic mode propagating in a thin dielectric film deposited on a metallic film at the particular frequency such that the dielectric permittivity vanishes. We discuss the remarkable properties of this mode in terms of extreme subwavelength mode confinment and its potential applications. We also discuss the link between this mode, the IR absorption peak on a thin dielectric film known as Berreman effect and the surface phonon polariton mode at the air/dielectric interface. Finally, we establish a connection with the polarization shift occuring in quantum wells.