The concept of cross density of states characterizes the intrinsic spatial coherence of complex photonic or plasmonic systems, independently on the illumination conditions. Using this tool and the associated intrinsic coherence length, we demonstrate unambiguously the spatial squeezing of eigenmodes on disordered fractal metallic films, thus clarifying a basic issue in plasmonics.
The geometric phase and topological property for one-dimensional hybrid plasmonic-photonic crystals consisting of a simple lattice of graphene sheets are investigated systematically. For transverse magnetic waves, both plasmonic and photonic modes exist in the momentum space. The accidental degeneracy point of these two kinds of modes is identified to be a diabolic point accompanied with a topological phase transition. For a closed loop around this degeneracy point, the Berry phase is Pi as a consequence of the discontinuous jump of the geometric Zak phase. The wave impedance is calculated analytically for the semi-infinite system, and the corresponding topological interface states either start from or terminate at the degeneracy point. This type of localized interface states may find potential applications in photonics and plasmonics.
We report systematic studies of plasmonic and photonic guiding modes in large-area chemical-vapor-deposition-grown graphene on nanostructured silicon substrates. Light interaction in graphene with substrate photonic crystals can be classified into four distinct regimes depending on the photonic crystal lattice constant and the various modal wavelengths (i.e. plasmonic, photonic and free-space). By optimizing the design of the substrate, these resonant modes can magnify the graphene absorption in infrared wavelength, for efficient modulators, filters, sensors and photodetectors on silicon photonic platforms.
Hybrid plasmonic photonic structures combine the plasmonic response with the photonic band gap, holding promise for utilization as optical switches and sensors. Here, we demonstrate the active modulation of the optical response in such structures with two different external stimuli, e.g. laser pulses and bacteria. First, we report the fabrication of a miniaturized (5 x 5 mm) indium tin oxide (ITO) grating employing femtosecond laser micromachining, and we show the possibility to modulate the photonic band gap in the visible via ultrafast photoexcitation in the infrared part of the spectrum. Note that the demonstrated time response in the picosecond range of the spectral modulation have an industrial relevance. Moreover, we manufacture one-dimensional photonic crystals consisting of a solution-processed dielectric Bragg stack exposing a top-layer of bio-active silver. We assign the bacterial responsivity of the system to polarization charges at the Ag/bacterium interface, giving rise to an overall blue shift of the photonic band gap.
Despite the fact that incandescent sources are usually spatially incoherent, it has been known for some time that a proper design of a thermal source can modify its spatial coherence. A natural question is whether it is possible to extend this analysis to electroluminescence and photoluminescence. A theoretical framework is needed to explore these properties. In this paper, we extend a general coherence-absorption relation valid at equilibrium to two non-equilibrium cases: luminescent bodies and anisothermal bodies. We then use this relation to analyse the differences between the isothermal and anisothermal cases.
The invention of lasers 60 years ago is one of the greatest breakthroughs in modern optics. Throughout the years, lasers have enabled major scientific and technological advancements, and have been exploited in numerous applications due to their advantages such as high brightness and high coherence. However, the high spatial coherence of laser illumination is not always desirable, as it can cause adverse artifacts such as speckle noise. To reduce the spatial coherence, novel laser cavity geometries and alternative feedback mechanisms have been developed. By tailoring the spatial and spectral properties of cavity resonances, the number of lasing modes, the emission profiles and the coherence properties can be controlled. This review presents an overview of such unconventional, complex lasers, with a focus on their spatial coherence properties. Laser coherence control not only provides an efficient means for eliminating coherent artifacts, but also enables new applications.