Search

We theoretically investigate advanced multi-functional integrated photonic filters formed by three waveguide coupled Sagnac loop reflectors (3WC-SLRs). By tailoring the coherent mode interference, the spectral response of the 3WC-SLR resonators is engineered to achieve diverse filtering functions with high performance. These include optical analogues of Fano resonances that yield ultrahigh spectral extinction ratios (ERs) and slope rates, resonance mode splitting with high ERs and low free spectral ranges, and classical Butterworth, Bessel, Chebyshev, and elliptic filters. A detailed analysis of the impact of the structural parameters and fabrication tolerances is provided to facilitate device design and optimization. The requirements for practical applications are also considered. These results theoretically verify the effectiveness of using 3WC-SLR resonators as multi-functional integrated photonic filters for flexible spectral engineering in diverse applications., Comment: 12 pages, 12 figures, 178 references

Electromagnetic hot-spots at ultra-narrow plasmonic nanogaps carry immense potential to drive detection limits down to few molecules in sensors based on surface enhanced Raman or Fluorescence spectroscopies. However, leveraging the EM hot-spots requires access to the gaps, which in turn depends on the size of the analyte in relation to gap distances. Herein we leverage a well-calibrated process based on self-assembly of block copolymer colloids on full-wafer level to produce high density plasmonic nanopillar arrays exhibiting large number (> 10^10 /cm^2) of uniform inter-pillar EM hot-spots. The approach allows convenient handles to systematically vary the inter-pillar gap distances down to sub-10 nm regime. The results show compelling trends of the impact of analyte dimensions in relation to the gap distances towards their leverage over inter-pillar hot-spots, and the resulting sensitivity in SERS based molecular assays. Comparing the detection of labelled proteins in surface-enhanced Raman and metal-enhanced Fluorescence configurations further reveal the relative advantage of Fluorescence over Raman detection while encountering the spatial limitations imposed by the gaps. Quantitative assays with limits of detection down to picomolar concentrations is realized for both the small organic molecules and the proteins. The well-defined geometries delivered by nanofabrication approach is critical to arriving at realistic geometric models to establish meaningful correlation between structure, optical properties and sensitivity of nanopillar arrays in plasmonic assays. The findings emphasize the need for the rational design of EM hot-spots that take into account the analyte dimensions to drive ultra-high sensitivity in plasmon-enhanced spectroscopies., Comment: 28 pages, 7 figures +1 toc figure

We put forward a co-axial pump(optical)-probe(X-rays) experimental concept and show performance of the optical component. A Bessel beam generator with a central 100 micrometers-diameter hole (on the optical axis) was fabricated using femtosecond (fs) laser structuring inside a silica plate. This flat-axicon optical element produces a needle-like axial intensity distribution which can be used for the optical pump pulse. The fs-X-ray free electron laser (X-FEL) beam of sub-1 micrometer diameter can be introduced through the central hole along the optical axis onto a target as a probe. Different realisations of optical pump are discussed. Such optical elements facilitate alignment of ultra-short fs-pulses in space and time and can be used in light-matter interaction experiments at extreme energy densities on the surface and in the volume of targets. Full advantage of ultra-short 10 fs X-FEL probe pulses with fs-pump(optical) opens an unexplored temporal dimension of phase transitions and the fastest laser-induced rates of material heating and quenching. A wider field of applications of fs-laser-enabled structuring of materials and design of specific optical elements for astrophotonics is presented.

A simple procedure is demonstrated for fabrication of waveplates which can be released from substrate by laser cutting. Oblique angle deposition, chemical etching and laser inscription steps were used for the final lift-off and release of micro-waveplates in HCl solution., Comment: 3 pages

It was demonstrated during the past decade that ultrashort intense laser pulse tightly focused deep inside a transparent dielectric generates the energy density in excess of several MJ/cm3. Such energy concentration with extremely high heating and quenching rates leads to unusual solid-plasma-solid transformation paths overcoming kinetic barriers to formation of previously unknown high-pressure material phases, which are preserved in the surrounding pristine crystal. These results were obtained with the pulse of Gaussian shape in space and in time. Recently it was shown that the Bessel-shaped pulse could transform much larger amount of a material and allegedly create even higher energy density than that was achieved with the Gaussian (GB) pulses. Here we present a succinct review of previous results and discuss the possible routes for achieving higher energy density employing the Bessel beams (BB) and take advantage of its unique properties., Comment: 6 pages

All-dielectric resonant micro- and nano-structures made of the high-index dielectrics recently emerge as a promising SERS platform which can complement or potentially replace the metal-based counterparts in routine sensing measurements. These unique structures combine the highly-tunable optical response and high field enhancement with the non-invasiveness, i.e., chemically non-perturbing the analyte, simple chemical modification and recyclability. Meanwhile, the commercially competitive fabrication technologies for mass production of such structures are still missing. Here, we attest a chemically inert black silicon (b-Si) substrate consisting of randomly-arranged spiky Mie resonators for a true non-invasive SERS identification of the molecular fingerprints at low concentrations. Based on comparative in-situ SERS tracking of the para-aminothiophenol -to-4,4` dimercaptoazobenzene catalytic conversion on the bare and metal-coated b-Si, we justify applicability of the metal-free b-Si for the ultra-sensitive non-invasive SERS detection at concentration level as low as 10^-6 M. We perform finite-difference time-domain calculations to reveal the electromagnetic enhancement provided by an isolated spiky Si resonator in the visible spectral range. Additional comparative SERS studies of the PATP-to-DMAB conversion performed with a chemically active bare black copper oxide as well as SERS detection of the slow daylight-driven PATP-to-DAMP catalytic conversion in the aqueous methanol solution loaded with colloidal silver nanoparticles confirm the non-invasive SERS performance of the all-dielectric crystalline b-Si substrate. Proposed SERS substrate can be fabricated using simple scalable technology of plasma etching amenable on large substrate areas making such inexpensive all-dielectric substrates promising for routine SERS applications, where the non-invasiveness is of mandatory importance., Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures

Using polarization-resolved transient reflection spectroscopy, we investigate the ultrafast modulation of light interacting with a metasurface consisting of coherently vibrating nanophotonic meta-atoms in the form of U-shaped split-ring resonators, that exhibit co-localized optical and mechanical resonances. With a two-dimensional square-lattice array of these resonators formed of gold on a glass substrate, we monitor the visible-pump-pulse induced gigahertz oscillations in intensity of reflected linearly-polarized infrared probe light pulses, modulated by the resonators effectively acting as miniature tuning forks. A multimodal vibrational response involving the opening and closing motion of the split rings is detected in this way. Numerical simulations of the associated transient deformations and strain fields elucidate the complex nanomechanical dynamics contributing to the ultrafast optical modulation, and point to the role of acousto-plasmonic interactions through the opening and closing motion of the SRR gaps as the dominant effect. Applications include ultrafast acoustooptic modulator design and sensing., Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures

Nanoscale thermally assisted hydrodynamic melt perturbations induced by ultrafast laser energy deposition in noble-metal films produce irreversible nanoscale translative mass redistributions and results in formation of radially-symmetric frozen surface structures. We demonstrate that the final three-dimensional (3D) shape of the surface structures formed after resolidification of the molten part of the film is shown to be governed by incident laser fluence and, more importantly, predicted theoretically via molecular dynamics modeling. Considering the underlying physical processes associated with laser-induced energy absorption, electron-ion energy exchange, acoustic relaxation and hydrodynamic flows, the theoretical approach separating slow and fast physical processes and combining hybrid analytical two-temperature calculations, scalable molecular-dynamics simulations, and a semi-analytical thin-shell model was shown to provide accurate prediction of the final nanoscale solidified morphologies, fully consistent with direct electron-microscopy visualization of nanoscale focused ion-beam cuts of the surface structures produced at different incident laser fluences. Finally, these results are in reasonable quantitative agreement with mass distribution profiles across the surface nanostructures, provided by their noninvasive and non-destructive nanoscale characterization based on energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, operating at variable electron-beam energies., Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures

Modification of surface and volume of sapphire is shown to affect reflected and transmitted light at THz spectral range. Structural modifications were made using ultra-short 230 fs laser pulses at 1030 nm and 257.5 nm wavelengths forming surface ripples of ~250 nm and 60 nm period, respectively. Softening of the transverse optical phonon TO1 mode due to disorder was the most pronounced in reflection from laser ablated surface. It is shown that sub-surface periodic patterns of laser damage sites have also modified reflection spectrum due to coupling of THz radiation with phonons. Application potential of laser structuring and disordering for phononic engineering is discussed.

Photoluminescence (PL) from femtosecond laser modified regions inside cubic-boron nitride (c-BN) was measured under UV and visible light excitation. Bright PL at the red spectral range was observed, with a typical excited state lifetime of $\sim 4$~ns. Sharp emission lines are consistent with PL of intrinsic vibronic defects linked to the nitrogen vacancy formation (via Frenkel pair) observed earlier in high energy electron irradiated and ion-implanted c-BN. These, formerly known as the radiation centers, RC1, RC2, and RC3 have been identified at the locus of the voids formed by single fs-laser pulse. The method is promising to engineer color centers in c-BN for photonic applications., Comment: 4 figures

We report on the design, fabrication and characterization of magnetic nanostructures to create a lattice of magnetic traps with sub--micron period for trapping ultracold atoms. These magnetic nanostructures were fabricated by patterning a Co/Pd multilayered magnetic film grown on a silicon substrate using high precision e-beam lithography and reactive ion etching. The Co/Pd film was chosen for its small grain size and high remanent magnetization and coercivity. The fabricated structures are designed to magnetically trap $^{87}$Rb atoms above the surface of the magnetic film with 1D and 2D (triangular and square) lattice geometries and sub-micron period. Such magnetic lattices can be used for quantum tunneling and quantum simulation experiments, including using geometries and periods that may be inaccessible with optical lattice.