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In this study, terahertz time‐domain spectroscopy (THz‐TDS) is employed for the first time to explore the characteristics of mono‐, bi‐, and tri‐layer graphene coated on guided‐mode resonance filters (GMRFs). Owing to high quality‐factor (Q‐factor) resonances of GMRF, the proposed method significantly enhances the resonance depth variation by up to 9.3, 5.1, and 4.2 times at 0.58 THz in TE mode for mono‐, bi‐, and tri‐layer graphene, respectively, in contrast to conventional THz‐TDS methods relying on amplitude variation at 0.50 THz in TE mode. Excellent agreement is observed between experimental results and theoretical simulations using the Kubo formula and Drude model, even accounting for variations in sidelobes at an incident angle of 0.6 degrees. Through meticulous fitting process between measurements and simulations for the resonances formed by the GMRF and graphene, the study accurately determines the electrical and optical properties of mono‐, bi‐, and tri‐layer graphene, including frequency‐dependent sheet conductivity (σs(ω)), mobility (μ), carrier density (N), and Fermi velocity (vF). Furthermore, in the THz high‐frequency region, the observation reveals that as the number of graphene layers increases, the decrease in σs(ω) occurs more rapidly than in single‐layer graphene, attributed to the screening effect arising from electronic interactions between each graphene layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we developed an optofluidic chip consisting of a guided-mode resonance (GMR) sensor incorporated into a microfluidic chip to achieve simultaneous blood plasma separation and label-free albumin detection. A sedimentation chamber is integrated into the microfluidic chip to achieve plasma separation through differences in density. After a blood sample is loaded into the optofluidic chip in two stages with controlled flow rates, the blood cells are kept in the sedimentation chamber, enabling only the plasma to reach the GMR sensor for albumin detection. This GMR sensor, fabricated using plastic replica molding, achieved a bulk sensitivity of 175.66 nm/RIU. With surface-bound antibodies, the GMR sensor exhibited a limit of detection of 0.16 μg/mL for recombinant albumin in buffer solution. Overall, our findings demonstrate the potential of our integrated chip for use in clinical samples for biomarker detection in point-of-care applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonlinear metasurfaces have recently been established as a new platform for generating photon pairs via spontaneous parametric down-conversion. While for classical harmonic generation in metasurfaces a high level of control over all degrees of freedom of light has been reached, this capability is yet to be developed for photon-pair generation. In this work, we theoretically and experimentally demonstrate for the first time precise control of the emission angle of photon pairs generated from a nonlinear metasurface. Our measurements show angularly tunable pair generation with high coincidence-to-accidental ratio for both co- and counterpropagating emission. The underlying principle is the transverse phase matching of guided-mode resonances with strong angular dispersion in a nonlinear metasurface consisting of a silicon dioxide grating on a nonlinear lithium niobate guiding layer. We provide a straightforward design strategy for photon-pair generation in such a device and find very good agreement between the calculations and experimental results. Here, we use all-optical emission angle tuning by means of the pump wavelength; however, the principle could be extended to modulation via the electro-optic effect in lithium niobate. In sum, this work provides an important addition to the toolset of subwavelength thickness photon-pair sources.

Localization of light spots in a given image is a common task in digital processing but is challenging in analog. Herein, a periodic nonlocal metasurface that has an optical transfer function defined in reciprocal space is proposed to resolve this issue. Assuming an ideal optical transfer function that encodes that of a local lens, the selective spot size reduction of incident Gaussian beams and sharpening of a patterned incidence with a Gaussian line shape are demonstrated. A realistic nonlocal metasurface comprising a trilayer structure with air grating on top that operates as a 2D analog light localizer under unpolarized incidence is presented. Nonlocal metasurfaces, combined with conventional optics, are expected to improve the resolution by sharpening the spatial features and find applications in diverse scientific fields such as medical, materials, and life science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guided-mode resonance (GMR) is a compelling scheme for optical sensing of various physical quantities, which holds great promise in non-invasive detection of chemical and biological species. Current GMR sensors are mostly based on detection of environmental refractive index change, which presents a challenge for obtaining sensing selectivity as required in practical applications. In this work, we report on a prototype demonstration of using GMR for detecting molecular fingerprint absorption. In a waveguide grating made of a ZnSe layer sandwiched between a Cu film and an Au grating, a mid-infrared GMR is excited and tuned over a wide frequency range of 617.4 cm−1. Coupling of the GMR with a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) analyte film reveals the signature absorptions of CH2 group, whose vibrational signal is enhanced by a factor of 2.37 at a frequency detuning of 30 cm−1 between the GMR and the molecular vibration. Our theoretical analysis reveals that both near-field enhancement of GMR and its coupling strength with molecules are responsible for the molecular detection performance. These results suggest that angle-tuned GMR presents an alternative design paradigm for surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we developed an optofluidic chip consisting of a guided-mode resonance (GMR) sensor incorporated into a microfluidic chip to achieve simultaneous blood plasma separation and label-free albumin detection. A sedimentation chamber is integrated into the microfluidic chip to achieve plasma separation through differences in density. After a blood sample is loaded into the optofluidic chip in two stages with controlled flow rates, the blood cells are kept in the sedimentation chamber, enabling only the plasma to reach the GMR sensor for albumin detection. This GMR sensor, fabricated using plastic replica molding, achieved a bulk sensitivity of 175.66 nm/RIU. With surface-bound antibodies, the GMR sensor exhibited a limit of detection of 0.16 μg/mL for recombinant albumin in buffer solution. Overall, our findings demonstrate the potential of our integrated chip for use in clinical samples for biomarker detection in point-of-care applications.

Terahertz (THz) radiation, which has applications in the imaging of objects, nondestructive testing, satellite communication, medical diagnostics, and biosensing, has generated a great deal of attention due to its remarkable properties. This paper proposes a novel broadband filter for THz applications. The main idea is to overcome the insertion loss and bandwidth issues by modeling a frequencydomain finite difference method and guided-mode resonance (GMR). The optimal design scheme of the wideband pass filter based on the circular resonant ring is discussed by comparing the transmission parameters under various parameters. This scheme overcomes the restriction of the narrow passband bandwidth of the prior THz filters and achieves approximately 3 dB bandwidth of 0.54 THz. The proposed THz filter paper also has the advantages of a straightforward structure, low processing costs, and ease of conformal with other structures, and it can be used for stealth fighters, new communication technology, and precise instruments. In addition, when compared to existing models, the suggested filter offers higher 3 dB BW operation, increased transmittance, low insertion loss, and stable performance at various oblique angles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Handheld biosensors have attracted substantial attention for numerous applications, including disease diagnosis, drug dosage monitoring, and environmental sensing. This study presents a novel handheld biosensor based on a gradient grating period guided-mode resonance (GGP-GMR) sensor. Unlike conventional GMR sensors, the proposed sensor's grating period varies along the device length; hence, the resonant wavelength varies linearly along the device length. If a GGP-GMR sensor is illuminated with a narrow band of light at normal incidence, the light resonates and reflects at a specific period but transmits at other periods; this can be observed as a dark band by using a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) underneath the sensor. The concentration of a target analyte can be determined by monitoring the shift of this dark band. We designed and fabricated a handheld device incorporating a light-emitting diode (LED) light source, the necessary optics, an optofluidic chip with an embedded GGP-GMR sensor, and a CMOS. LEDs with different beam angles and bandpass filters with different full width at half maximum values were investigated to optimize the dark band quality and improve the accuracy of the subsequent image analysis. Substrate materials with different refractive indices and waveguide thicknesses were also investigated to maximize the GGP-GMR sensor's figure of merit. Experiments were performed to validate the proposed handheld biosensor, which achieved a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.09 × 10−3 RIU for bulk solution measurement. The sensor's performance in the multiplexed detection of albumin and creatinine solutions at concentrations of 0–500 μg/mL and 0–10 mg/mL, respectively, was investigated; the corresponding LODs were 0.66 and 0.61 μg/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Topological nature in different areas of physics and electronics has often been characterized and controlled through topological invariants depending on the global properties of the material. The validity of bulk–edge correspondence and symmetry-related topological invariants has been extended to non-Hermitian systems. Correspondingly, the value of geometric phases, such as the Pancharatnam–Berry or Zak phases, under the adiabatic quantum deformation process in the presence of non-Hermitian conditions, are now of significant interest. Here, we explicitly calculate the Zak phases of one-dimensional topological nanobeams that sustain guided-mode resonances, which lead to energy leakage to a continuum state. The retrieved Zak phases show as zero for trivial and as π for nontrivial photonic crystals, respectively, which ensures bulk–edge correspondence is still valid for certain non-Hermitian conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrating biosensors with smartphones is becoming an increasingly popular method for detecting various biomolecules and could replace expensive laboratory-based instruments. In this work, we demonstrate a novel smartphone-based biosensor system with a gradient grating period guided-mode resonance (GGP-GMR) sensor. The sensor comprises numerous gratings which each correspond to and block the light of a specific resonant wavelength. This results in a dark band, which is observed using a CCD underneath the GGP-GMR sensor. By monitoring the shift in the dark band, the concentration of a molecule in a sample can be determined. The sensor is illuminated by a light-emitting diode, and the light transmitted through the GGP-GMR sensor is directly captured by a smartphone, which then displays the results. Experiments were performed to validate the proposed smartphone biosensor and a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.50 × 10−3 RIU was achieved for sucrose solutions. Additionally, multiplexed detection was demonstrated for albumin and creatinine solutions at concentrations of 0–500 and 0–1 mg/mL, respectively; the corresponding LODs were 1.18 and 20.56 μg/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the off‐axis excited guided‐mode resonance (GMR) hybridization is experimentally investigated in one dimensional (1D) partially etched amorphous silicon (a‐Si) subwavelength grating structures operating in the mid‐infrared wavelength range. The 1D dielectric photonic lattice is a promising platform for studying resonance hybridization effects owing to its simple working principle and ease of electromagnetic design, fabrication, and experimental characterization. It is observed that with increasing duty‐cycle of the gratings, the avoided crossing between the coupled GMR branches underwent band‐closure and subsequent band‐flip, resulting in the Friedrich–Wintgen type bound‐states‐in‐the‐continuum (FW‐BICs) transitioning from the upper to the lower GMR branch. On either side of the band closure, the transmission spectra show an interesting electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT)‐like resonance, which manifests as a transmission peak within a broad transmission dip with increased electric field concentration near the peak. As a conceptual application of coupled GMRs, differential enhancement of infrared absorption from a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) layer coated on the grating structure with one of the optical resonances aligned to the absorption feature and the other acting as a built‐in reference is demonstrated. The differential transmission contrast is enhanced by more than two orders of magnitude when compared to that of the native PMMA layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terahertz (THz) radiation, which has applications in the imaging of objects, non-destructive testing, satellite communication, medical diagnostics, and biosensing, has generated a great deal of attention due to its remarkable properties. This paper proposes a novel broadband filter for THz applications. The main idea is to overcome the insertion loss and bandwidth issues by modeling a frequency-domain finite difference method and guided-mode resonance (GMR). The optimal design scheme of the wideband pass filter based on the circular resonant ring is discussed by comparing the transmission parameters under various parameters. This scheme overcomes the restriction of the narrow passband bandwidth of the prior THz filters and achieves approximately 3 dB bandwidth of 0.54 THz. The proposed THz filter paper also has the advantages of a straightforward structure, low processing costs, and ease of conformal with other structures, and it can be used for stealth fighters, new communication technology, and precise instruments. In addition, when compared to existing models, the suggested filter offers higher 3 dB BW operation, increased transmittance, low insertion loss, and stable performance at various oblique angles.

Subwavelength resonant lattices offer a wide range of fascinating spectral phenomena under broadside illumination. The resonance mechanism relies on the generation of lateral Bloch modes that are phase matched to evanescent diffraction orders. The spectral properties and the total number of resonance states are governed by the structure of leaky modes and the mode count. This study investigates the effect of interface modifications on the band dynamics and bound-state transitions in guided-mode resonant lattices. We provide photonic lattices comprising rectangular Si3N4 rods with a liquid film with an adjustable boundary. The band structures and band flips are examined through numerical simulations using the rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA) method and analyzing the zero-order spectral reflectance as a function of the incident angle. The band structures and band flips are examined through numerical simulations, and the influences of the refractive index and the thickness of the oil layer on the band dynamics are investigated. The results reveal distinct resonance linewidths corresponding to different refractive indices of the oil layer. Furthermore, the effect of the oil thickness on the band dynamics is explored, demonstrating precise control over the number of propagating modes within the lattice structure. Theoretical simulations and experimental results are presented for a subwavelength silicon-nitride lattice combined with a liquid film featuring an adjustable boundary. The presence of a relatively thick liquid waveguiding region enables the emergence of additional modes, including the first four transverse-electric (TE) leaky modes, which produce observable resonance signatures. Through experimental manipulation of the basic lattice's duty cycle, the four bands undergo quantifiable band transitions and closures. The experimental results obtained within the 1400–1600 nm spectral range exhibit reasonable agreement with the numerical analysis. These findings underscore the significant role played by the interface in shaping the band dynamics of the lattice structure, providing valuable insights into the design and optimization of photonic lattices with adjustable interfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical sensors are efficient, compact, and reliable tools that can be used to detect almost any kind of analyte. Among various sensing schemes, one of the most frequently used techniques relies on measuring the spectral shift of resonances due to a change in the refractive index caused by the presence of target molecules. High-contrast gratings (HCGs) are examples of nanoscale devices. Such a sensor's layout serves as a suitable platform for the detection of various kinds of biomarkers because it exhibits sharp optical resonances. Different types of HCGs include conventional, pedestal, half-buried, and floating HCGs. Modeling suggested that both pedestal and half-buried HCGs outperform conventional HCGs in terms of bulk or surface sensitivity. Here, we report on a comparison of the bulk and surface sensing performance of half-buried and pedestal HCGs. The pedestal HCGs provide a higher bulk refractive index sensitivity (536 nm/RIU as opposed to 409 nm/RIU) due to the extended surface area and better resonant conditions. On the contrary, the half-buried HCGs provide access to the regions with the highest electric fields of guided-mode resonances. As a consequence, their surface sensitivity surpasses that of the pedestal counterparts, as shown by dummy analyte layers of Al2O3 and TiO2 with different thicknesses. Both pedestal and half-buried HCGs were functionalized and employed for optical biosensing of cardiac biomarker myoglobin. The latter HCG structure showed a limit of detection (LOD) slightly lower than that of the former one: 35.7 versus 38.5 ng/mL. Both types of nanopatterned HCGs exhibited a LOD within the normal range of myoglobin levels in humans, demonstrating their potential as a myoglobin-sensing platform for clinical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, dynamically tunable structural color has attracted great interest. Here, we introduce the guided-mode resonance (GMR) filter and the phase-change material Sb2S3 to design a reflective optical metasurface to produce tunable structural color, in which the combination of the GMR filter, with narrow resonant wavelength, and the Sb2S3, with a much larger bandgap and higher refractive index, helps to produce high-quality tunable structural color. The simulation results indicate that through the phase transition between the amorphous and crystalline states of Sb2S3, the proposed metasurface can generate tunable structural color that can be perceived by the naked eye. Furthermore, the metasurface can sensitively sense environmental changes through changes in structural color. This work provides a new method for realizing dynamically tunable structural color, and paves the way for the application of controllable structural color in dynamic displays, optical stealth, colorimetric sensing, and other fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fundamental effects in nanophotonic resonance systems focused on singular states and their properties are presented. Strongly related to lattice geometry and material composition, there appear resonant bright channels and non-resonant dark channels in the spectra. The bright state corresponds to high reflectivity guided-mode resonance (GMR) whereas the dark channel represents a bound state in the continuum (BIC). Even in simple systems, singular states with tunable bandwidth appear as isolated spectral lines that are widely separated from other resonance features. Under moderate lattice modulation, there ensues leaky-band metamorphosis, merging modal bands and resulting in offset dark states and reflective BICs along with transmissive BICs within a high-reflectance wideband. Rytov-type effective medium theory (EMT) is shown to be a powerful means to describe, formulate, and understand the collective GMR/BIC fundamentals in resonant photonic systems. Particularly, the discarded Rytov analytical solution for asymmetric fields is shown here to predict the dark BIC states essentially exactly for considerable modulation levels. The propagation constant of an equivalent EMT homogeneous film provides a quantitative evaluation of the eminent, oft-cited embedded BIC eigenvalue. The work concludes with experimental verification of key effects.

The discovered light modulation capabilities of diatom silicious valves make them an excellent toolkit for photonic devices and applications. In this work, a reproducible surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) enhancement was achieved with hybrid substrates employing diatom silica valves coated with an ultrathin uniform gold film. Three structurally different hybrid substrates, based on the valves of three dissimilar diatom species, have been compared to elucidate the structural contribution to SERS enhancement. The comparative analysis of obtained results showed that substrates containing cylindrical Aulacoseira sp. valves achieved the highest enhancement, up to 14-fold. Numerical analysis based on the frequency domain finite element method was carried out to supplement the experimental results. Our results demonstrate that diatom valves of different shapes can enhance the SERS signal, offering a toolbox for SERS-based sensors, where the magnitude of the enhancement depends on valve geometry and ultrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nanograting microring resonator is proposed for achieving concentric mode field profiles as the effect of guided-mode resonance. Based on a numerical simulation of the 2D finite-difference time-domain method, we clarified that the microring resonator with a combination of nanograting microring and sidewall blocks could generate two operating modes. The first is the optical whispering gallery mode, by which the light was in resonance inside the microring by total internal reflection and traveled in a circle around the microring. The second mode is guided-mode resonance, by which the light scattering from the grating structures is in resonance to create concentric magnetic-field distributions. The characteristics of resonance modes of the mode numbers, mode distribution, and Q factors are analyzed at the changes of the microring radius and the nanograting structures. A design of a nanograting bus waveguide with the same grating period as the nanograting microring is verified to achieve a high efficiency of the coupling ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2D resonant gratings enable dual angular tunability by controlling the plane of incidence (POI) under linear polarization. If the POI is set to be perpendicular to the electric field vector (s‐polarization or transverse electric (TE) polarization), an excited TE mode provides spectral tuning. The orthogonally propagating transverse magnetic (TM) mode is robust in angle. Conversely, if the POI is set for p‐polarization, an excited TM mode provides the tuning. Detailed explanations of the underlying physical processes are set forth by decomposing the 2D lattice into equivalent 1D gratings using second‐order effective‐medium theory. This is shown to work extremely well even for a strongly modulated lattice with refractive‐index contrast of 3. With proper design and corresponding experiments, a widely tunable notch filter covering long‐wave infrared bands is demonstrated. Experimentally varying the incidence angle up to 16° under p‐polarization, a notch channel in TM mode tunes across a band exceeding 0.5 µm with the TE channel remaining at a constant wavelength. The interesting appearance of a resonance channel originating in diagonally propagating leaky modes is briefly examined. The analysis and experiments presented can be useful for realizing diverse 2D tunable filters while furnishing methodology for detailed understanding of the attendant near fields and mode structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We theoretically investigate the design of thin subwavelength gratings possessing high-reflectivity and high- Q resonances when illuminated at normal incidence by a Gaussian beam. We compare the performances of single-period and dual-period rectangular gratings using finite element method-based optimization and predict a close to two orders of magnitude improvement (×90) in their transmission loss-linewidth product, which is the relevant figure of merit for e.g. resonant mirror-based microcavity applications.

Topological nature in different areas of physics and electronics has often been characterized and controlled through topological invariants depending on the global properties of the material. The validity of bulk–edge correspondence and symmetry-related topological invariants has been extended to non-Hermitian systems. Correspondingly, the value of geometric phases, such as the Pancharatnam–Berry or Zak phases, under the adiabatic quantum deformation process in the presence of non-Hermitian conditions, are now of significant interest. Here, we explicitly calculate the Zak phases of one-dimensional topological nanobeams that sustain guided-mode resonances, which lead to energy leakage to a continuum state. The retrieved Zak phases show as zero for trivial and as π for nontrivial photonic crystals, respectively, which ensures bulk–edge correspondence is still valid for certain non-Hermitian conditions.

Handheld biosensors have attracted substantial attention for numerous applications, including disease diagnosis, drug dosage monitoring, and environmental sensing. This study presents a novel handheld biosensor based on a gradient grating period guided-mode resonance (GGP-GMR) sensor. Unlike conventional GMR sensors, the proposed sensor’s grating period varies along the device length; hence, the resonant wavelength varies linearly along the device length. If a GGP-GMR sensor is illuminated with a narrow band of light at normal incidence, the light resonates and reflects at a specific period but transmits at other periods; this can be observed as a dark band by using a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) underneath the sensor. The concentration of a target analyte can be determined by monitoring the shift of this dark band. We designed and fabricated a handheld device incorporating a light-emitting diode (LED) light source, the necessary optics, an optofluidic chip with an embedded GGP-GMR sensor, and a CMOS. LEDs with different beam angles and bandpass filters with different full width at half maximum values were investigated to optimize the dark band quality and improve the accuracy of the subsequent image analysis. Substrate materials with different refractive indices and waveguide thicknesses were also investigated to maximize the GGP-GMR sensor’s figure of merit. Experiments were performed to validate the proposed handheld biosensor, which achieved a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.09 × 10−3 RIU for bulk solution measurement. The sensor’s performance in the multiplexed detection of albumin and creatinine solutions at concentrations of 0–500 μg/mL and 0–10 mg/mL, respectively, was investigated; the corresponding LODs were 0.66 and 0.61 μg/mL.

Siliceous diatom frustules present a huge variety of shapes and nanometric pore patterns. A better understanding of the light modulation by these frustules is required to determine whether or not they might have photobiological roles besides their possible utilization as building blocks in photonic applications. In this study, we propose a novel approach for analyzing the near-field light modulation by small pennate diatom frustules, utilizing the frustule of Gomphonema parvulum as a model. Numerical analysis was carried out for the wave propagation across selected 2D cross-sections in a statistically representative 3D model for the valve based on the finite element frequency domain method. The influences of light wavelength (vacuum wavelengths from 300 to 800 nm) and refractive index changes, as well as structural parameters, on the light modulation were investigated and compared to theoretical predictions when possible. The results showed complex interference patterns resulting from the overlay of different optical phenomena, which can be explained by the presence of a few integrated optical components in the valve. Moreover, studies on the complete frustule in an aqueous medium allow the discussion of its possible photobiological relevance. Furthermore, our results may enable the simple screening of unstudied pennate frustules for photonic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Both analytically and numerically evaluated the resonant conditions in a guided-mode resonant structure. • Explored and investigated all-in-one transmission setup for different possible (classical and conical) excitation configurations. • Proposed tunable single-wavelength based sensing, eliminating the need for costly spectrometers. • Achieved sensitivity of ∼ 166 mW/RIU with He-Ne laser at resonant wavelength of 632.8 nm. We explore guided-mode resonant (GMR) structures in an unconventional way for low-cost yet effective bio-sensing applications. In contrast to regular broadband source-based wavelength interrogation techniques, single wavelength-based measurements can successfully eliminate the requirement of a costly spectrometer for rapid label-free detection and analysis. We have fabricated a silicon–nitride grating-waveguide structure and investigated it theoretically as well as experimentally under normal, angular, and conical incidences following an all-in-one transmission geometry. Such studies avoid unnecessary fabrication of multiple chips and promote a wide operational range of the GMR sensor. To validate the proposed cost-effective intensity-based sensing, we have analyzed our fabricated single GMR chip under different combinations of two-axis rotation to confirm its suitability under commonly available laser sources. Finally, using a He-Ne laser, a sensitivity of ∼ 166 mW/RIU is recorded experimentally on an average for the fabricated GMR device, operating at the resonant wavelength of 632.8 nm. The current study provides an in-depth investigation to promote possibilities for utilizing GMR structures in an inexpensive intensity-based bio-detection scheme through the demonstrated proof-of-concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present wideband guided-mode resonant (GMR) gratings made of Si on a SiO 2 substrate. Based on the base angle of the grating as the crystal orientation angle (54.74°) of Si, the design process of reflectors suitable for TM-polarized waves is demonstrated in the near-infrared (NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) wavelengths. Benefiting from the mutual attraction and interaction of the two GMR modes, the bandwidth of reflectivity above 99% for the reflector under the NIR and MIR bands reaches 297 nm (from 1416 nm to 1713 nm) and 657 nm (from 3154 nm to 3811 nm), respectively. In addition, the effects of the incident light source state and the structural parameters on the performance of the reflector are analyzed in detail. The results show that the reflector will maintain good tolerance and stability during fabrication and use. This work will be compatible with the wet etching process in the microelectromechanical system, and the results can be extended to the design of broadband GMR reflectors in other wavelength bands. • This is the first demonstration of the design process for a broadband reflector for TM-polarized waves, using the crystal orientation angle of silicon (54.74°) as the base angle of the grating. • The reflector's bandwidth of reflectivity above 99% under the near- and mid-infrared bands reaches 291 nm (from 1415 nm to 1706 nm) and 642 nm (from 3158 nm to 3800 nm), respectively, due to the mutual attraction and interaction of the two guided-mode resonance (GMR) modes. • It is found that GMR reflectors in both bands have large tolerances for polarization angle and geometrical parameters of the structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrating biosensors with smartphones is becoming an increasingly popular method for detecting various biomolecules and could replace expensive laboratory-based instruments. In this work, we demonstrate a novel smartphone-based biosensor system with a gradient grating period guided-mode resonance (GGP-GMR) sensor. The sensor comprises numerous gratings which each correspond to and block the light of a specific resonant wavelength. This results in a dark band, which is observed using a CCD underneath the GGP-GMR sensor. By monitoring the shift in the dark band, the concentration of a molecule in a sample can be determined. The sensor is illuminated by a light-emitting diode, and the light transmitted through the GGP-GMR sensor is directly captured by a smartphone, which then displays the results. Experiments were performed to validate the proposed smartphone biosensor and a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.50 × 10−3 RIU was achieved for sucrose solutions. Additionally, multiplexed detection was demonstrated for albumin and creatinine solutions at concentrations of 0–500 and 0–1 mg/mL, respectively; the corresponding LODs were 1.18 and 20.56 μg/mL.

Strong photon-exciton coupling has garnered considerable interest due to its potential applications in quantum information processing, quantum light sources, and even quantum metrology. Here, we designed an “open cavity” consisting of monolayer WS2 and a square perforated SiN structure. By taking advantage of the guided-mode resonance with high quality factor excited in perforated SiN structure, the strong photon-exciton coupling with the Rabi splitting energies of about 40 meV can be obtained. Furthermore, the Rabi splitting can be engineered by varying the hole filling factor. Our findings provide a new way to achieve the TMD-based light-matter strong coupling.

The properties of topological edge states of resonant photonic lattices are reported. The canonical 1D lattice embodies all chief qualities necessary for a complete comprehension of the variety of fundamental physical processes at play. Radiating topological edge states are understood in terms of leaky‐mode resonance stimulated by counter‐propagating Bloch modes. As a free‐space electromagnetic wave illuminates the junction between band‐flipped photonic lattices, quasi‐leaky resonant light is localized at the interface, which embodies the characteristics of the closed‐band state of the composite lattice. Rigorous numerical examples with Ge/ZnSe‐based lattices with a finite number of periods and having homogeneous sublayers illustrate the resonance properties of the constituent lattices, the band‐closed lattice, and the composite lattice hosting the radiant edge state. The topological interface is seen to radiate effectively near the wavelength where the band closes. With the insight gained from the 1D analysis, a representative 2D lattice is similarly treated. As orthogonal leaky modes are supported by 2D lattices, the interface‐bound energy flow picture is more intriguing. Thus, lateral TE and TM modes can be excited to run along the topological interface or normal to it. Versatile power flow, energy density, and radiation characteristics are then available at the 2D topological interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The resonant modes in a low contrast grating-waveguide structure with a larger aspect ratio possesses unique characteristics, observed under theoretical investigations. Subsequently, a photoresist grating with similar dimensions is realized over a dielectric waveguide to experimentally observe the resonant guided modes (GMR) and cavity modes (CM). In particular, the cavity mode exhibits remarkable characteristics of high sensitivity towards cover index variation, thus with a probable application for environmental index monitoring. In addition, the waveguide-supported GMR mode is negligibly sensitive and may serve as a reference line for such sensing experiments. The spectral responses analyzed in sugar solution with different concentrations as analytes demonstrate a high bulk sensitivity of ~300 nm/RIU in the visible spectrum. Thus, the study opens up possibilities of using optimized grating-based geometry for designing simple yet highly-sensitive handheld sensor devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical sensors typically provide compact, fast and precise means of performing quantitative measures for almost any kind of measurand that is usually probed electronically. High-contrast grating (HCG) resonators are known to manifest an extremely sharp and sensitive optical resonance and can constitute a highly suitable sensing platform. In this paper we present two advanced high-contrast grating designs improving the sensing performances of conventional implementations. These configurations, namely pedestal and half-buried HCGs, allow to enhance the shift of the photonic resonance while maintaining the spectral features of the standard configuration. First, the spectral feature of the HCGs was numerically optimized to express the sharpest possible resonance when the structure is immersed in serum. Second, the sensing properties of conventional and advanced HCG implementations were studied by modelling the biological entities to be sensed as a thin dielectric coating layer of increasing thickness. Pedestal HCGs were found to provide a ∼12% improvement in sensitivity and a six-fold improvement in resonance quality factor (Q-factor), while buried HCGs resulted in a ∼58% improvement in sensitivity at the expense of a slightly broader resonance. Such structures may serve as an improved sensitive biosensing platform for near-infrared spectroscopy.

Subwavelength resonant lattices offer a wide range of fascinating spectral phenomena under broadside illumination. The resonance mechanism relies on the generation of lateral Bloch modes that are phase matched to evanescent diffraction orders. The spectral properties and the total number of resonance states are governed by the structure of leaky modes and the mode count. This study investigates the effect of interface modifications on the band dynamics and bound-state transitions in guided-mode resonant lattices. We provide photonic lattices comprising rectangular Si3N4 rods with a liquid film with an adjustable boundary. The band structures and band flips are examined through numerical simulations using the rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA) method and analyzing the zero-order spectral reflectance as a function of the incident angle. The band structures and band flips are examined through numerical simulations, and the influences of the refractive index and the thickness of the oil layer on the band dynamics are investigated. The results reveal distinct resonance linewidths corresponding to different refractive indices of the oil layer. Furthermore, the effect of the oil thickness on the band dynamics is explored, demonstrating precise control over the number of propagating modes within the lattice structure. Theoretical simulations and experimental results are presented for a subwavelength silicon-nitride lattice combined with a liquid film featuring an adjustable boundary. The presence of a relatively thick liquid waveguiding region enables the emergence of additional modes, including the first four transverse-electric (TE) leaky modes, which produce observable resonance signatures. Through experimental manipulation of the basic lattice’s duty cycle, the four bands undergo quantifiable band transitions and closures. The experimental results obtained within the 1400–1600 nm spectral range exhibit reasonable agreement with the numerical analysis. These findings underscore the significant role played by the interface in shaping the band dynamics of the lattice structure, providing valuable insights into the design and optimization of photonic lattices with adjustable interfaces.

In recent years, dynamically tunable structural color has attracted great interest. Here, we introduce the guided-mode resonance (GMR) filter and the phase-change material Sb2S3 to design a reflective optical metasurface to produce tunable structural color, in which the combination of the GMR filter, with narrow resonant wavelength, and the Sb2S3, with a much larger bandgap and higher refractive index, helps to produce high-quality tunable structural color. The simulation results indicate that through the phase transition between the amorphous and crystalline states of Sb2S3, the proposed metasurface can generate tunable structural color that can be perceived by the naked eye. Furthermore, the metasurface can sensitively sense environmental changes through changes in structural color. This work provides a new method for realizing dynamically tunable structural color, and paves the way for the application of controllable structural color in dynamic displays, optical stealth, colorimetric sensing, and other fields.

A cavity-resonator-integrated guided-mode resonance mirror (CRIGM) consisting of a small-aperture grating coupler integrated in a waveguide cavity on a high-reflection substrate reflects an incident free-space wave with reflection-phase variation of 2 π in a resonance condition. CRIGM has been investigated as a key component in surface mount packaging of VCSEL for future optical interconnects but the reflectance of a fabricated CRIGM was not sufficient. Matching of electric field distribution between an incident Gaussian beam and the reflected beam from the CRIGM is discussed for improving the reflectance. A new apodization method of grating-tooth shift is proposed for the field-distribution matching. CRIGMs with the new and a well-known fill-factor apodization methods are characterized by numerical simulation. It is predicted that the previously measured reflectance will be improved by more than 1.2 dB by introducing either of the apodization methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electro-tunable metamaterials opened new doors to realize spatial light modulation at nanoscale by engineering meta-atoms at sub-wavelength scale. In this study, we propose a novel design of polarization-insensitive spatial light modulator that can operate in both transmission and reflection modes. We leverage GMR (guided-mode resonance)-effect of grating waveguide and ENZ (epsilon-near-zero) phenomenon of ITO (indium-tin-oxide) to realize an efficient electro-optic modulation. The proposed design consists of a two-dimensional array of silicon-nitride nanograting on top of ITO-integrated silicon-on-insulator platform. Effective medium theory combined with temporal coupled-mode analysis is used to examine the excitation of waveguide mode via coupling of spatial light. Upon applying external bias-voltage when ITO exhibits ENZ-effect by accumulating free-carriers at ITO–Al2O3 interface, the resonance feature disappears due to large modal loss. A modulation depth of ~0.96 (~0.85) in reflection (transmission)-mode is achieved for normally incident plane wave with random polarization angle at $1.55 ~\mu \text{m}$ wavelength. In addition, the operating wavelength can be shifted by utilizing frequency-scaling property of the proposed design. With ~774 Mbps modulation speed, the proposed scalable design paves the way toward the realization of tunable flat-optical components for integrated nanophotonic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a novel approach to realize unidirectional radiation in an asymmetric single resonator without using an external mirror, which is based on mutual coupling between two degenerate resonant modes through the background scattering of the asymmetric resonator. In the proposed approach, only one of the resonant modes experiences optical gain and the other works just as an internal reflector. So, our approach is conceptually to mimic a one-port system by introducing the internal reflector in a two-port system. Due to this intuitive and simple operation concept, the design of such devices is straightforward. We described the operation principle by using the temporal coupled-mode theory, from which a practical design method was derived. An example device of the proposed approach was designed based on guided-mode resonances in a slab waveguide grating and its performance was analyzed with the finite-difference time-domain simulation. A ratio of 4.6 x 104 between the upward and the downward radiations was numerically demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stochastic response of resonant grating structures is studied, for a considerably large number of geometric random design variables. Computationally inexpensive stochastic solutions are found by a new Anisotropic Sparse Adaptive Polynomial Chaos expansions (ASA-PC) method for the quantities of interest. In particular the probability density of the resonant grating response is calculated as well as useful statistical measures that quantify the structure’s performance under uncertainty. ASA-PC is based on the Least Angle Regression (LAR) algorithm in conjunction with an adaptive anisotropic basis truncation scheme. The ASA-PC is proven a reliable uncertainty quantification (UQ) method and at the same time orders of magnitude more computationally efficient than the reference Monte-Carlo UQ method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The topological properties of photonic microstructures are of great interest because of their experimental feasibility for fundamental study and potential applications. Here, we show that robust guided-mode-resonance states exist in photonic domain-wall structures whenever the complex photonic band structures involve certain topological correlations in general. Using the non-Hermitian photonic analogy of the one-dimensional Dirac equation, we derive essential conditions for photonic Jackiw-Rebbi-state resonances taking advantage of unique spatial confinement and spot-like spectral features which are remarkably robust against random parametric errors. Therefore, the proposed resonance configuration potentially provides a powerful method to create compact and stable photonic resonators for various applications in practice.

The discovered light modulation capabilities of diatom silicious valves make them an excellent toolkit for photonic devices and applications. In this work, a reproducible surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) enhancement was achieved with hybrid substrates employing diatom silica valves coated with an ultrathin uniform gold film. Three structurally different hybrid substrates, based on the valves of three dissimilar diatom species, have been compared to elucidate the structural contribution to SERS enhancement. The comparative analysis of obtained results showed that substrates containing cylindrical Aulacoseira sp. valves achieved the highest enhancement, up to 14-fold. Numerical analysis based on the frequency domain finite element method was carried out to supplement the experimental results. Our results demonstrate that diatom valves of different shapes can enhance the SERS signal, offering a toolbox for SERS-based sensors, where the magnitude of the enhancement depends on valve geometry and ultrastructure.

We present a nanoscale laser based on an asymmetric guided-mode resonance (AGMR) structure. The AGMR creates hybrid resonant modes, which consist of the newly generated quasi-bound states in the continuum (quasi-BICs) and the intrinsic GMR mode. By modifying the structural parameters, the GMR and quasi-BICs modes can be matched with the pump and emission wavelengths of the gain medium, respectively. Therefore, high-intensity near fields of the GMR as the resonant optical pumping mode and high quality (Q) factor of the quasi-BICs as the resonant-emitting mode jointly contribute to the low-threshold lasing behavior. The finite-difference time-domain method is used to analyze the lasing characteristics, and a threshold of 14.2 μJ/cm2 is obtained, which is approximately ten times lower than that of a single-coupled mode laser. By adjusting the asymmetry parameters and fill factor of the grating, the threshold can be further reduced to 8.9 μJ/cm2. Additionally, we have also studied the feasibility of the AGMR structure by adjusting the simulation boundary conditions from periodic to perfectly matched layer to simulate a finite-sized structure. The findings provide a new way to excite hybrid modes, opening up possibilities for applications that demand highly confined fields and high Q-factors. • A quasi-BIC nanoscale laser based on guided-mode resonance structure is proposed. • Asymmetric and composite grating is introduced to excite the quasi-BICs resonance. • The lasing threshold is reduced by double matching of the GMR and quasi-BICs mode. • Lasing performance can be optimized by adjusting the structural parameters. • The effect of the number of grating periods on the lasing threshold is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, fabrication of a dielectric photonic crystal device and numerical study of its spectral characteristics as a refractive index sensor are presented for near infrared range. The proposed nanosensor device is composed of low-cost dielectric materials, i.e., silicon dioxide and niobium pentoxide, and is fabricated using focused ion-beam milling lithography. In the first part, the fabrication process of the device is discussed, along with the process parameters and their effects on the structural properties of the resulting photonic crystal elements. In the second part, the device is numerically tested as a sensor for the biological refractive index range of 1.33 to 1.4. The performance considerations of the biosensor device are studied for 12 different structural profiles based on the fabrication results. It is shown that the angular-wall-profile of the fabricated structures downgrades the performance of the sensor, and the optimum value of hole depth should be in the range of 930–1500 nm to get the best performance. A sensitivity of 185.117 nm/RIU and a figure of merit of 9.7 were recorded for the optimum design of the device; however, a maximum sensitivity of 296.183 nm/RIU and a figure-of-merit of 13.184 RIU−1 were achieved. The device is recommended for a variety of biosensing applications due to its inert material properties, stable design and easy integration with fiber-optic setups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-efficiency and high-speed photodetectors with broadband responses are playing pivotal roles for wavelength-division multiplexing optical communications. Germanium photodetectors on silicon platforms exhibit potential cost advantage due to the compatibility for monolithic integration with silicon-based electronic circuits for signal amplification and processing. In this article, we report a normal incidence, germanium photodetector enabled by guided-mode resonances in photonic crystal, which successfully resolved the compromise between quantum efficiency, wavelength coverage and bandwidth requirement, a drawback usually faced by conventional photodetectors operating at normal incidence. The resonant photonic crystal structure is designed to support multiple resonances in the target wavelength range. With an intrinsic absorption layer thickness of 350 nm, the device achieved a high external quantum efficiency of 50% at 1550 nm, along with an enhancement around 300% for the entire C-band. Using a mesa diameter of 14 μm, the fabricated device exhibited a 3-dB bandwidth of 33 GHz and obtained clear eye diagrams at bit rate up to 56 Gbps. This work provides a promising method to design high-efficiency, high-speed, normal incidence germanium photodetectors for optical interconnect systems.

The lithium niobate (LiNbO3) metasurface is an attractive platform for nonlinear frequency conversion due to its excellent nonlinearity, high damage threshold, and strong enhancement of the driving field. Here, we demonstrated the nonlinear metasurface for terahertz (THz) generation from LiNbO3 on an insulator. The THz electric field from the LiNbO3 metasurface of 300 nm thickness is enhanced by more than one order of magnitude compared to the unstructured sample. The enhanced terahertz electric field is very selective in the excitation wavelength due to its resonant feature and is highly anisotropic with respect to the excitation polarization. The polarization direction of the THz electric field can be controlled by rotating the optical axis of the LiNbO3 metasurface. By combining the nanofabrication technology of the LiNbO3 metasurface and ultrafast nonlinear optics, our work paves the way for the design of new compact terahertz photonic devices that integrate THz emitters into LiNbO3-based chips with multifaceted capabilities.

When two nonorthogonal resonances are coupled to the same radiation channel, avoided crossing arises and a bound state in the continuum (BIC) appears with appropriate conditions in parametric space. This paper presents numerical and analytical results on the properties of avoided crossing and BIC due to the coupled guided-mode resonances in one-dimensional (1D) leaky-mode photonic lattices with slab geometry. In symmetric photonic lattices with up-down mirror symmetry, Friedrich–Wintgen BICs with infinite lifetime are accompanied by avoided crossings due to the coupling between two guided modes with the same transverse parity. In asymmetric photonic lattices with broken up-down mirror symmetry, quasi-BICs with finite lifetime appear with avoided crossings because radiating waves from different modes cannot be completely eliminated. We also show that unidirectional-BICs are accompanied by avoided crossings due to guided-mode resonances with different transverse parities in asymmetric photonic lattices. The Q factor of a unidirectional-BIC is finite, but its radiation power in the upward or downward direction is significantly smaller than that in the opposite direction. Our results may be helpful in engineering BICs and avoided crossings in diverse photonic systems that support leaky modes.

Reflection spectra based on guided-mode resonance (GMR) are simulated and discussed with transformation between one-dimensional (1-D) and two-dimensional (2-D) photonic lattices by introducing intermediate structures consisting of vertically-stacked 1-D and 2-D gratings. Dependences of reflection spectra on a 2-D fractional ratio are investigated for two examples of narrowband and broadband resonance elements. Observed complicated spectrum transformations for the narrowband example are successfully explained by combining simple models with guided-mode indices and multilayer reflection. The understanding of the fundamental transformation dynamics will aid in the reflection band engineering for development of new optical components.

Pyroelectric detectors are often broadband and require external filters for wavelength‐specific applications. This paper reports a tunable, narrowband, and lightweight pyroelectric infrared detector built upon a flexible membrane of As2S3−Ag−P(VDF‐TrFE) with subwavelength grating, which is capable of both on‐chip filtering and photopyroelectric energy conversion. The top surface of this hybrid membrane is a corrugated As2S3−Ag film contributing to narrowband light absorption in the near‐infrared (NIR) regime, and the bottom part is a polyvinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene (PVDF‐TrFE) membrane for the conversion of the absorbed light to an electrical signal. Uniquely, applying a bias voltage to the PVDF‐TrFE membrane enables the tuning of the device's absorption and pyroelectric characteristics owing to the piezoelectrically induced mechanical bending. The resonator exhibited a resonant absorption coefficient of 80% and a full‐width‐half‐maximum of 15 nm within the NIR, a responsivity of 1.4 mV mW−1, and an equivalent noise power of 13 µW Hz−1/2 at 1560 nm. By applying a 15‐V bias to the PVDF‐TrFE membrane, the absorption coefficient decreased to 18% due to the change in the grating period and incident angle. The narrowband and tunable features of the As2S3−Ag−P(VDF‐TrFE) pyroelectric detector will benefit a variety of potential applications in sensors, optical spectroscopy, and imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a two-dimensional grating waveguide structure based on guided-mode resonance (GMR) to greatly enhance the Goos-Hänchen (GH) shift due to the asymmetric Fano peak. In addition, the enhancement of the GH shift is located at the peak of the reflectivity, which enables a more accessible measurement compared to the conventional GH shift enhancement based on Brewster angle or transmission-type resonance. In particular, such structure supports four channels for the GH shift enhancements, with a maximum value of 4.8 × 10 4 λ 0 for the positive one and -6000 λ 0 for the negative one. Our results benefit the potential applications for optical sensors, optical filters, optical absorbers and surface plasmon resonators, etc. • We propose a structure supports four channels for enhancements of the Goos-Hänchen (GH) shift based on Guided-mode resonance. • The peak of the GH shift is located at the peak of the reflectivity. • The maximum positive GH shift reaches 48000 λ 0 and the maximum negative GH shift reaches − 6000 λ 0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]