Polarization-selective plasmon nanomodulator based on a phase change

COFFEE_KLATCH · Invited

Abstract

Manipulating optical signals at length scales below the diffraction limit is crucial for next- generation data-storage and telecommunication technologies. Although guiding light around sharply-bent waveguides of appropriately small dimensions was achieved a decade ago, modulating optical signals at terahertz frequencies in nanoscale volumes remains a challenge. Since the physics underlying any modulator relies on changes in dielectric properties, modulators based on strongly electron-correlated materials (SECMs) are attractive because they exhibit orders of magnitude changes in electrical and optical properties with modest thermal, electrical or optical triggers. Here we demonstrate a hybrid nanomodulator of deep sub-wavelength dimensions by spatially confining light on the nanometer scale using a plasmonic gold nanodisk while simultaneously controlling the reactive near-field environment at its optical focus with a single, precisely positioned SECM nanostructure, a vanadium dioxide nanodisk. Since the functionality of the nanomodulator hinges on the near-field electromagnetic interaction between the two nanodisks, the modulation is polarization-selective; moreover, the energy costs per unit switching contrast are extremely low. This architecture suggests shows that reconfigurable optoelectronic building blocks can be tailored with exquisite precision by varying size, geometry, and the intrinsic materials properties of the hybrid elements.

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Authors

  • Brad Cox

    North Carolnia State University, Vanderbilt University, University of South Carolina, University of Virginia, Francis Marion Univ, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Florida International University, Georgia College, JINR, Tsinghua University, LBNL, GANIL, Austin Peay State University, Lehigh University, University of Pardubice, Universit\'e de Rennes, Austin Peay State University Department of Physics and Astronomy, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge TN 37831, American Superconductor Corp., Westborough MA 01581, University of North Georgia, Dahlonega GA 30597, Florida State University, Ecole Polytechnique, Space Telescope Science Institute, Fermi National Accelerator Lab, National Optical Astronomy Observatory, Austin Peay State Univerity, North Carolna State University, Florida Intl Univ, University of North Georgia, Clemson University, Clemson Univ, Vanderbilt University/ORNL, Vanderbilt University/Univ. of Kentucky, College of William and Mary, Louisiana State University, Presbyterian College, North Carolina State Univ, Department of Physics, Virginia Tech, Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Virginia Tech University, Hollins University, University of Tennessee Space Institute, Davidson College, University of Tennessee, American Superconductor Corporation, University of South Alabama, North Carolina State University, James Madison University, Lousiana State University, Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute, Changwon Korea