Plasmonic Graded-Chains as Deep-Subwavelength Light Concentrators


Abstract in English

We have studied the plasmonic properties of aperiodic arrays of identical nanoparticles (NPs) formed by two opposite and equal graded-chains (a chain where interactions change gradually). We found that these arrays concentrate the external electromagnetic fields even in the long wavelength limit. The phenomenon was understood by identifying the system with an effective cavity where plasmonics excitations are trapped between effective band edges, resulting from the change of passband with NPs position. Dependence of excitation concentration on several systems parameter was also assessed. This includes, different gradings as well as NPs couplings, damping, and resonant frequencies. In the spirit of the scaling laws in condensed matter physics, we developed a theory that allows us to rationalize all these systems parameters into universal curves. The theory is quite general and can also be used on many other situations (different arrays for example). Additionally, we also provided an analytical solution, in the tight-binding limit, for the plasmonic response of homogeneous linear chains of NPs illuminated by a plane wave. Our results can find applications on sensing, near field imaging, plasmon-enhanced photodetectors, as well as to increase solar cell efficiency.

Download