The mid-infrared (mid-IR, 3 {micro}m -12 {micro}m) is a highly desirable spectral range for imaging and environmental sensing. We propose to develop a new class of mid-IR devices, based on plasmonic and metamaterial concepts, that are dynamically controlled by tunable semiconductor plasma resonances. It is well known that any material resonance (phonons, excitons, electron plasma) impacts dielectric properties; our primary challenge is to implement the tuning of a semiconductor plasma resonance with a voltage bias. We have demonstrated passive tuning of both plasmonic and metamaterial structures in the mid-IR using semiconductors plasmas. In the mid-IR, semiconductor carrier densities on the order of 5E17cm{sup -3} to 2E18cm{sup -3} are desirable for tuning effects. Gate control of carrier densities at the high end of this range is at or near the limit of what has been demonstrated in literature for transistor style devices. Combined with the fact that we are exploiting the optical properties of the device layers, rather than electrical, we are entering into interesting territory that has not been significantly explored to date.
We present a new fabrication technique called Membrane Projection Lithography for the production of three-dimensional metamaterials at infrared wavelengths. Using this technique, multilayer infrared metamaterials that include both in-plane and out-of-plane resonators can be fabricated.
Dielectric resonators are an effective means to realize isotropic, low-loss optical metamaterials. As proof of this concept, a cubic resonator is analytically designed and then tested in the long-wave infrared.
This paper is focused on the optical properties of nanocomposite plasmonic emitters with core/shell configurations, where a fluorescence emitter is located inside a metal nanoshell. Systematic theoretical investigations are presented for the influence of material type, core radius, shell thickness, and excitation wavelength on the internal optical intensity, radiative quantum yield, and fluorescence enhancement of the nanocomposite emitter. It is our conclusion that: (i) an optimal ratio between the core radius and shell thickness is required to maximize the absorption rate of fluorescence emitters, and (ii) a large core radius is desired to minimize the non-radiative damping and avoid significant quantum yield degradation of light emitters. Several experimental approaches to synthesize these nanocomposite emitters are also discussed. Furthermore, our theoretical results are successfully used to explain several reported experimental observations and should prove useful for designing ultra-bright core/shell nanocomposite emitters.
The authors have developed two versions of a flexible fabrication technique known as membrane projection lithography that can produce nearly arbitrary patterns in '212 D' and fully three-dimensional (3D) structures. The authors have applied this new technique to the fabrication of split ring resonator-based metamaterials in the midinfrared. The technique utilizes electron beam lithography for resolution, pattern design flexibility, and alignment. The resulting structures are nearly three orders of magnitude smaller than equivalent microwave structures that were first used to demonstrate a negative index material. The fully 3D structures are highly isotropic and exhibit both electrically and magnetically excited resonances for incident transverse electromagnetic waves.
3-D cubic unit cell arrays containing split ring resonators were fabricated and characterized. The unit cells are {approx}3 orders-of-magnitude smaller than microwave SRR-based metamaterials and exhibit both electrically and magnetically excited resonances for normally incident TEM waves in addition to showing improved isotropic response.
We describe a time-domain spectroscopy system in the thermal infrared used for complete transmission and reflection characterization of metamaterials in amplitude and phase. The system uses a triple-output near-infrared ultrafast fiber laser, phase-locked difference frequency generation and phase-matched electro-optic sampling. We will present measurements of several metamaterials designs.