Leaky wave lenses for spoof plasmon collimation.

We theoretically demonstrate the feasibility of collimating radiating spoof plasmons using a leaky wave lens approach. Spoof plasmons are surface waves excited along reactance surfaces realized through metallic corrugations. By employing a periodic perturbation to the geometric profile of this type of reactance surface, it becomes feasible to convert the excited spoof plasmons into free-space radiating leaky wave modes. It is demonstrated that by structurally modifying such a corrugated surface through the introduction of a non-uniform sinusoidally modulated reactance profile, then a tapered wavenumber, with a real part less than that of free space, can be established along the surface. In this way the radiating properties of the structure (amplitude and phase) can be locally controlled thereby creating a radiating effect similar to that of a non-uniform current distribution. By properly engineering the space dependent wavenumber along the corrugated surface, different regions of the structure will emit spoof plasmon energy at different angles with varying intensity. The combined effect is the emission of an electromagnetic wave exhibiting a converging wave-front that eventually collimates spoof plasmon energy at some desired focal point.

Spoof plasmon radiation using sinusoidally modulated corrugated reactance surfaces.

In this paper we theoretically investigate the feasibility of creating leaky wave antennas capable of converting spoof plasmons to radiating modes. Spoof plasmons are surface waves excited along metallic corrugated surfaces and they are considered the microwave and THz equivalent of optical surface plasmon polaritons. Given that a corrugated surface is essentially a reactance surface, the proposed design methodology relies on engineering a corrugated surface so that it exhibits a sinusoidally modulated reactance profile. Through such non-uniform periodic reactance surfaces, guided surface waves can efficiently couple into free-space radiating modes. This requires the development of a realistic methodology that effectively maps the necessary sinusoidal reactance variation to a sinusoidal variation corresponding to the depth of the grooves. Both planar and cylindrical corrugated surfaces are examined and it is numerically demonstrated that the corresponding sinusoidally modulated leaky wave structures can very efficiently convert guided spoof plasmons to radiating modes.

Multi-port admittance model for quantifying the scattering response of loaded plasmonic nanorod antennas: erratum.

This erratum corrects the Acknowledgment in [Opt. Express23(4), 4459-4471 (2015)Opt. Express24(1), 365 (2016)].

Efficient design, accurate fabrication and effective characterization of plasmonic quasicrystalline arrays of nano-spherical particles.

In this paper, the scattering properties of two-dimensional quasicrystalline plasmonic lattices are investigated. We combine a newly developed synthesis technique, which allows for accurate fabrication of spherical nanoparticles, with a recently published variation of generalized multiparticle Mie theory to develop the first quantitative model for plasmonic nano-spherical arrays based on quasicrystalline morphologies. In particular, we study the scattering properties of Penrose and Ammann- Beenker gold spherical nanoparticle array lattices. We demonstrate that by using quasicrystalline lattices, one can obtain multi-band or broadband plasmonic resonances which are not possible in periodic structures. Unlike previously published works, our technique provides quantitative results which show excellent agreement with experimental measurements.

Multi-port admittance model for quantifying the scattering response of loaded plasmonic nanorod antennas: erratum.

This erratum corrects Fig. 5 in [Opt. Express 23(4), 4459-4471 (2015) 10.1364/OE.23.00445925836483].

Dual-mode plasmonic nanorod type antenna based on the concept of a trapped dipole: erratum.

This erratum corrects the Acknowledgment in [Opt. Express23(7), 8298 (2015) ].

Tuning the optical response of a dimer nanoantenna using plasmonic nanoring loads.

The optical properties of a dimer type nanoantenna loaded with a plasmonic nanoring are investigated through numerical simulations and measurements of fabricated prototypes. It is demonstrated that by judiciously choosing the nanoring geometry it is possible to engineer its electromagnetic properties and thus devise an effective wavelength dependent nanoswitch. The latter provides a mechanism for controlling the coupling between the dimer particles, and in particular to establish a pair of coupled/de-coupled states for the total structure, that effectively results in its dual mode response. Using electron beam lithography the targeted structure has been accurately fabricated and the desired dual mode response of the nanoantenna was experimentally verified. The response of the fabricated structure is further analyzed numerically. This permits the visualization of the electromagnetic fields and polarization surface charge distributions when the structure is at resonance. In this way the switching properties of the plasmonic nanoring are revealed. The documented analysis illustrates the inherent tuning capabilities that plasmonic nanorings offer, and furthermore paves the way towards a practical implementation of tunable optical nanoantennas. Additionally, our analysis through an effective medium approach introduces the nanoring as a compact and efficient solution for realizing nanoscale circuits.

Dual-mode plasmonic nanorod type antenna based on the concept of a trapped dipole.

In this paper we theoretically investigate the feasibility of creating a dual-mode plasmonic nanorod antenna. The proposed design methodology relies on adapting to optical wavelengths the principles of operation of trapped dipole antennas, which have been widely used in the low MHz frequency range. This type of antenna typically employs parallel LC circuits, also referred to as "traps", which are connected along the two arms of the dipole. By judiciously choosing the resonant frequency of these traps, as well as their position along the arms of the dipole, it is feasible to excite the λ/2 resonance of both the original dipole as well as the shorter section defined by the length of wire between the two traps. This effectively enables the dipole antenna to have a dual-mode of operation. Our analysis reveals that the implementation of this concept at the nanoscale requires that two cylindrical pockets (i.e. loading volumes) be introduced along the length of the nanoantenna, inside which plasmonic core-shell particles are embedded. By properly selecting the geometry and constitution of the core-shell particle as well as the constitution of the host material of the two loading volumes and their position along the nanorod, the equivalent effect of a resonant parallel LC circuit can be realized. This effectively enables a dual-mode operation of the nanorod antenna. The proposed methodology introduces a compact approach for the realization of dual-mode optical sensors while at the same time it clearly illustrates the inherent tuning capabilities that core-shell particles can offer in a practical framework.

Multi-port admittance model for quantifying the scattering response of loaded plasmonic nanorod antennas.

In this paper we demonstrate the feasibility of using multiport network theory to describe the admittance properties of a longitudinally loaded plasmonic nanorod antenna. Our analysis reveals that if the appropriate terminal ports are defined across the nanorod geometry then the corresponding voltage and current quantities can be probed and thus it becomes feasible to extract the admittance matrix of the structure. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that by utilizing cylindrical dielectric waveguide theory, closed form expressions can be derived that uniquely characterize the loading material in terms of its admittance. The combination of the admittance matrix information along with the load admittance expressions provides an effective methodology for computing the nanorod's input admittance/impedance for arbitrary loading scenarios. This is important because the admittance resonances are associated with the structure's scattering peaks which are excited by a plane wave polarized parallel to its long dimension. Subsequently, the proposed approach provides a fast and computationally efficient circuit-based methodology to predict and custom engineer the scattering properties of a loaded plasmonic nanorod without having to rely on repetitive lengthy full wave simulations.

Tunable wavelength dependent nanoswitches enabled by simple plasmonic core-shell particles.

In this paper we demonstrate the feasibility of using a plasmonic core-shell particle to function as a wavelength dependent switch for integration into nanoantenna structures. First, a quasistatic analysis is performed and the necessary conditions are derived which allow the particle to operate in either a short- or an open-circuit state. These conditions dictate that the core and the shell permittivity values need to have opposite sign. Consequently, at optical wavelengths where noble metals are modeled as Drude dielectrics, these conditions can be easily realized. As a matter of fact, it is demonstrated that a realistic core-shell particle can exhibit both the short- and open-circuit states, albeit at different wavelengths. Our analysis is extended by examining the same problem beyond the quasistatic limit. For this task we utilize an inhomogeneous spherical transmission line representation of the core-shell particle. The conditions are derived for the particle that yield either an input admittance or impedance equal to zero. It is further demonstrated that these conditions are the short wavelength generalization of their quasistatic counterparts.