Quantum effects and nonlocality in strongly coupled plasmonic nanowire dimers.

Using a fully quantum mechanical approach we study the optical response of a strongly coupled metallic nanowire dimer for variable separation widths of the junction between the nanowires. The translational invariance of the system allows to apply the time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) for nanowires of diameters up to 10 nm which is the largest size considered so far in quantum modeling of plasmonic dimers. By performing a detailed analysis of the optical extinction, induced charge densities, and near fields, we reveal the major nonlocal quantum effects determining the plasmonic modes and field enhancement in the system. These effects consist mainly of electron tunneling between the nanowires at small junction widths and dynamical screening. The TDDFT results are compared with results from classical electromagnetic calculations based on the local Drude and non-local hydrodynamic descriptions of the nanowire permittivity, as well as with results from a recently developed quantum corrected model. The latter provides a way to include quantum mechanical effects such as electron tunneling in standard classical electromagnetic simulations. We show that the TDDFT results can be thus retrieved semi-quantitatively within a classical framework. We also discuss the shortcomings of classical non-local hydrodynamic approaches. Finally, the implications of the actual position of the screening charge density at the gap interfaces are discussed in connection with plasmon ruler applications at subnanometric distances.

Resonant circuit model for efficient metamaterial absorber.

The resonant absorption in a planar metamaterial is studied theoretically. We present a simple physical model describing this phenomenon in terms of equivalent resonant circuit. We discuss the role of radiative and dissipative damping of resonant mode supported by a metamaterial in the formation of absorption spectra. We show that the results of rigorous calculations of Maxwell equations can be fully retrieved with simple model describing the system in terms of equivalent resonant circuit. This simple model allows us to explain the total absorption effect observed in the system on a common physical ground by referring it to the impedance matching condition at the resonance.

Extraordinary all-dielectric light enhancement over large volumes.

We present resonant dielectric structures exhibiting arbitrarily large optical field enhancement, only limited by fabrication imperfections. Three different arrangements are investigated, based upon dielectric waveguides, dielectric particle arrays, and a combination of these two structures. Experimental confirmation of enhancement in a waveguide resonator is achieved by measuring the luminescence of quantum dots dispersed in the hot optical region of the structure. The performance of these systems can be readily controlled by simply changing geometrical parameters, which allows obtaining remarkable values of the intensity enhancement approaching 105 relative to the incident intensity over large volumes under feasible experimental conditions. This opens new avenues for all-optical switching and biosensing.

A scanning tunneling microscope as a tunable nanoantenna for atomic scale control of optical-field enhancement.

The high stability of a low temperature (9 K) scanning tunneling microscope junction is used to precisely adjust the enhancement of an external pulsed vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) laser. The ensuing VUV optical-field strength is mapped on an hydrogenated Si(100) surface by imprinting locally one-photon atomic scale hydrogen desorption. Subsequent to irradiation, topography of the Si(100):H surface at the reacted area revealed a desorption spot with unprecedented atomic precision. Our results show that the shapes, positions, and sizes of the desorption spots are correlated to the calculated optical-field structure, offering real control of the optical-field distribution at molecular scale.

Strong coupling of light to flat metals via a buried nanovoid lattice: the interplay of localized and free plasmons.

We study the optical plasmonic properties of metal surfaces which have a periodic lattice of voids buried immediately beneath their flat upper surface. Light reflection spectra calculated in the framework of a self-consistent electromagnetic multiple-scattering layer-KKR approach exhibit two types of plasmon resonances originating from the excitation of different plasmon modes: surface plasmon-polaritons propagating on the planar surface of metal and Mie plasmons localized in the buried voids. Coupling between these two types of plasma oscillation leads to an enhancement of the surface plasmon-polariton resonances even for close-packed void lattices. Our theoretical model quantitatively agrees with experimental results, demonstrating that planar surfaces can exhibit strong plasmonic field enhancements.

Mie plasmon enhanced diffraction of light from nanoporous metal surfaces.

The diffractive properties of gold films with a periodic lattice of sub-micron voids beneath the surface are investigated. It has been shown that nanoporous metal surfaces exhibit frequency-selective non-dispersive diffraction enhanced by Mie plasmons in nanovoids, which leads to absolute angular tolerance of the diffracted beam intensity that can be useful for a variety of applications covering angle-tolerant optical filters, deflectors, absorbers, and beam splitters. Diffraction spectra are measured and calculated to support these conclusions, showing good qualitative agreement.