Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Aliaa G. Mohamed, Hussein A. ElSayed, Ahmed Mehaney, Arafa H. Aly, Walied Sabra
Summary: The study investigates the optical properties of a one-dimensional photonic crystal structure with silicon and a nanocomposite material as constituent layers, showing that the effective permittivity of the nanocomposite material is strongly influenced by nanoparticle type and filling fraction. The proposed design may find applications in optical filters and reflectors.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Andrey A. Vyshnevyy, Georgy A. Ermolaev, Dmitriy V. Grudinin, Kirill V. Voronin, Ivan Kharichkin, Arslan Mazitov, Ivan A. Kruglov, Dmitry I. Yakubovsky, Prabhash Mishra, Roman V. Kirtaev, Aleksey V. Arsenin, Kostya S. Novoselov, Luis Martin-Moreno, Valentyn S. Volkov
Summary: There is a high demand for high-refractive-index and low-loss materials in on-chip nanophotonics. The use of van der Waals (vdW) materials with a high refractive index can provide an advanced alternative. However, it was not clear if the optical anisotropy perpendicular to the layers might hinder the development of vdW nanophotonics. By studying WS2-based waveguides, it was discovered that the low refractive index in the direction perpendicular to the atomic layers actually improves the characteristics of the devices.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Andrey A. Vyshnevyy, Georgy A. Ermolaev, Dmitriy V. Grudinin, Kirill V. Voronin, Ivan Kharichkin, Arslan Mazitov, Ivan A. Kruglov, Dmitry I. Yakubovsky, Prabhash Mishra, Roman V. Kirtaev, Aleksey V. Arsenin, Kostya S. Novoselov, Luis Martin-Moreno, Valentyn S. Volkov
Summary: This study demonstrates that using anisotropic materials can improve the characteristics of nanophotonic devices by expanding the range of parameters at which single-mode propagation can be achieved.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Md Omar Faruk Rasel, Akira Yamauchi, Takaaki Ishigure
Summary: This paper presents a low-loss 3D symmetric crossover multimode optical waveguide realized using the Mosquito method. The crossover structure exhibits minimal excess loss and demonstrates excellent signal transmission performance.
JOURNAL OF LIGHTWAVE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Optics
Liyang Yue, Zengbo Wang, Bing Yan, Yao Xie, Yuri E. Geints, Oleg Minin, Igor Minin
Summary: A novel near-field photonic switch design is proposed based on the unique phenomenon of photonic hooks generated by particles. Numerical simulations demonstrate the wavelength selective switching capability of the proposed switch. The distribution of Poynting vector vortexes produced by the particles plays a crucial role in shaping and bending the photonic hooks.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Shuqi Mu, Yu Yang, Juhao Li, Dashan Dong, Ruijun Lan, Kebin Shi
Summary: The study introduced a new optical diffractive tomography system for reconstructing RI profiles of on-chip waveguides, providing a reliable quantitative analysis tool for photonic devices.
JOURNAL OF LIGHTWAVE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tianwei Wu, Yankun Li, Xilin Feng, Shuang Wu, Zihe Gao, Liang Feng
Summary: Far-field optical beam steering is achieved by conveniently tuning the wavelength of nonmechanical optical phased arrays. However, the dispersion of the waveguide and in-line backscattering on-chip limit the efficiency and accuracy of beam steering. To overcome these limitations, a robust and back-reflection-free topological photonic integrated circuit is proposed, where different functionalities are defined by the strategic arrangements of lattices with different topological modulations controlled by a single lattice deformation parameter. By applying an extra band flattening, far-field steering with high wavelength sensitivity is achieved.
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jiao Xu, Yuxiang Peng, Shengyou Qian, Leyong Jiang
Summary: Microstructured all-optical switching, featuring light controlling light, plays a crucial role in on-chip ultra-fast optical connectivity networks and integrated logic computing chips. It has attracted significant research interest and has led to advancements in various fields, such as nanophotonics, nonlinear optics, optical communications, and integrated optics. The introduction of two-dimensional materials with excellent third-order optical nonlinearity has greatly influenced the development of all-optical switches. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the implementation principles, novel configurations, improved performance indexes, and research progress based on different two-dimensional materials for micro/nano all-optical switching, and identifies the remaining challenges in realizing practical on-chip microstructured all-optical switching based on two-dimensional materials.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Yifan Zhang, Fengya Lu, Yanan Fu, Changjun Min, Xiaocong Yuan, Douguo Zhang
Summary: We have demonstrated a platform for optical evanescent vortex by focusing a laser beam with orbital angular momentum onto a one-dimensional photonic crystal. This platform can trap and manipulate different micro-scale specimens simultaneously, relying on the low-loss Bloch surface waves on the dielectric 1DPC. The use of these waves allows for the induction of rotation or orbital motion in the specimens, providing a new mechanism for optical force manipulation.
JOURNAL OF LIGHTWAVE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Optics
Fengya Lu, Lei Gong, Yan Kuai, Xi Tang, Yifeng Xiang, Pei Wang, Douguo Zhang
Summary: This study presents an opto-thermophoretic tweezer based on an all-dielectric one-dimensional photonic crystal (1DPC) for reversible assembly of biological cells. Through the combination of optical and thermophoretic manipulation, the tweezer can optically trap single particles and serve as a controllable origin for reversible cellular assembly. Numerical simulations confirm the long-range manipulations on the all-dielectric 1DPC platform. This technique provides a micromanipulation toolbox for potential applications in biomedical sciences.
PHOTONICS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Biqiang Jiang, Yueguo Hou, Hongyang Wang, Xuetao Gan, Ailun Li, Zhen Hao, Kaiming Zhou, Lin Zhang, Jianlin Zhao
Summary: Integration of graphene with optical fibers enables fast response all-optical switching by modulating the transmission spectrum of a tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG) through pump power adjustment, promising a dynamic response of around 1 microsecond and an extinction ratio exceeding 13 dB. This compact device has the potential to be integrated into all-fiber systems to extend the functions of all-optical signal processing.
JOURNAL OF LIGHTWAVE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Yangfan Gao, Zhaolong Wang, Yaru Wang, Jun Yan, Yunlin Chen
Summary: In this study, a simple and powerful optical sensor based on zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF-8) three-dimensional photonic crystals (3D PCs) was proposed for chlorinated vapors sensing. The TRD ZIF-8 3D PCs sensor exhibited excellent selectivity, sensitivity, and sensing performance for chlorobenzene (C6H5Cl) vapor, with ultrafast response time, remarkable long-term stability and recyclability, which is promising for practical VOCs sensing applications.
MICROPOROUS AND MESOPOROUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Peiyan Shen, Yuqi Zhang, Zhongyu Cai, Ruixiang Liu, Xiaoying Xu, Ran Li, Ji-Jiang Wang, De'an Yang
Summary: PCHs, consisting of PCs and stimuli-responsive hydrogels, act as a sensing system for specific analytes by undergoing volume phase transitions upon exposure to external stimuli. The VPT of the hydrogel causes changes in the photonic stopband of the PCs, leading to shifts in Bragg diffraction peak wavelengths. This sensing mechanism allows for the development of various PCH sensors capable of detecting external stimuli.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2021)
Editorial Material
Optics
Kosmas L. Tsakmakidis, Tomasz P. Stefanski
Summary: Topological features, particularly nodal rings, which usually require three-dimensional structures, have been experimentally demonstrated in a simple one-dimensional photonic crystal, representing a significant breakthrough.
LIGHT-SCIENCE & APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rose K. Cersonsky, James Antonaglia, Bradley D. Dice, Sharon C. Glotzer
Summary: The study conducted over 150,000 photonic band calculations for thousands of natural crystal templates and predicted 351 photonic crystal templates that can be realized, including nearly 300 previously-unreported structures. The researchers revisited primary design heuristics for PBG materials and discussed the desirable properties of photonic crystals for manipulating light.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Optics
Anne-Sophie Munser, Marcus Trost, Sven Schroeder, Martina Graf, Miriam A. Rosenbaum, Andreas Tuennermann
Summary: Due to its high sensitivity and quick measurement principle, angle-resolved scattering (ARS) measurements show promising potential as a rapid analysis tool for bacterial cells, especially at small sample sizes and low cell numbers. This study has demonstrated that scattered light from various bacterial cell samples can be analyzed at the single-cell level, which is a significant benefit compared to time-consuming conventional methods that require hours or days of cellular growth. With the proposed setup and data analysis method, it is possible to detect scatter differences among cell types as well as measure cell concentration.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nabarun Polley, Samim Sardar, Peter Werner, Ingo Gersonde, Yuya Kanehira, Ilko Bald, Daniel Repp, Thomas Pertsch, Claudia Pacholski
Summary: In this research, optical fibers equipped with plasmonic flow sensors were fabricated as photothermomechanical nanopumps for active transport of target analytes. The nanopumps were prepared by stacking a thermoresponsive polymer monolayer and a plasmonic nanohole array on an optical fiber tip. The pump mechanism relied on the temperature-dependent collapse and swelling of the polymer, while the required heat was generated by the photo thermal effect in the plasmonic nanohole array. Simultaneous detection of analytes was achieved by monitoring changes in the plasmonic sensor's optical response. The active mass transport through the nanohole array was visualized using particle imaging velocimetry. The presence of the pump mechanism led to a 4-fold increase in sensitivity compared to the purely photothermal effect, demonstrating the potential of these photothermomechanical nanopumps for sensing applications.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Andreas Tuennermann, Carsten Momma, Stefan Nolte
Summary: Ultrashort pulse lasers have been widely used in precise micromachining. This article presents a brief perspective on the development of this innovative technology from the 1990s until today.
APPLIED PHYSICS A-MATERIALS SCIENCE & PROCESSING
(2023)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Vera Neef, Julien Pinske, Friederike Klauck, Lucas Teuber, Mark Kremer, Max Ehrhardt, Matthias Heinrich, Stefan Scheel, Alexander Szameit
Summary: When a quantum system undergoes slow changes, its state evolution depends on the trajectory in Hilbert space, known as quantum holonomy, which reveals the geometric aspects of quantum theory. Matrix-valued holonomies are challenging to implement, and identifying suitable dark states for their construction in bosonic systems is even more complicated. In this study, a representation of holonomic theory based on the Heisenberg picture is developed, and a three-dimensional quantum holonomy is experimentally realized using indistinguishable photons. The findings could open up possibilities for the experimental study of higher-dimensional non-Abelian gauge symmetries and the exploration of exotic physics on a photonic chip.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Shawon Alam, Pallabi Paul, Vivek Beladiya, Paul Schmitt, Olaf Stenzel, Marcus Trost, Steffen Wilbrandt, Christian Muehlig, Sven Schroeder, Gabor Matthaeus, Stefan Nolte, Sebastian Riese, Felix Otto, Torsten Fritz, Alexander Gottwald, Adriana Szeghalmi
Summary: Absorption losses and laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) are the main limitations for the development of optical coatings for high-power laser optics. This study developed heterostructures using sub-nanometer thin films of SiO2 and HfO2 with the plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) technique. Various thin-film characterization techniques were employed to extract optical constants, residual stress, layer formation, and functional groups of the heterostructures. The heterostructures showed tunable refractive index, bandgap, improved optical losses, and LIDT properties.
Article
Optics
Valerio Flavio Gili, Dupish Dupish, Andres Vega, Massimo Gandola, Enrico Manuzzato, Matteo Perenzoni, Leonardo Gasparini, Thomas Pertsch, Frank Setzpfandt
Summary: Quantum ghost imaging (QGI) is an imaging protocol that exploits photon-pair correlations from spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC). In this study, a two-dimensional single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array detector is used for spatially resolving the path in QGI implementation. By utilizing non-degenerate SPDC, samples can be investigated at infrared wavelengths without the need for SWIR cameras, while spatial detection can still be performed in the visible region using silicon-based technology. These findings advance QGI schemes for practical applications.
Article
Physics, Applied
F. Vitale, D. Repp, T. Siefke, U. Zeitner, U. Peschel, T. Pertsch, C. Ronning
Summary: In this study, a mode selection scheme based on distributed feedback was proposed to achieve quasi-single mode lasing action in plasmonic nanowires. The orientation of the nanowire on the grating was found to affect the emission spectrum, with an additional peak emerging when the nano-cavity was perpendicular to the ridge direction. This peak was attributed to a hybrid mode dominating the mode competition and supported by localized plasmon polaritons on the metal grating ridges.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Optics
Aso Rahimzadegan, Sergey Lepeshov, Wenjia Zhou, Duk-Yong Choi, Juergen Sautter, Dennis Arslan, Chengjun Zou, Stefan Fasold, Carsten Rockstuhl, Thomas Pertsch, Yuri Kivshar, Isabelle Staude
Summary: Introduced metasurfaces as promising candidates to replace bulky optical components, and explored dielectric metasurfaces with complex supercells composed of Mie-resonant dielectric nanocylinders and nanoscale rings. Demonstrated the signature of an optical response relying on staggered optically induced magnetic dipole moments, and suggested possible applications in resonant nanophotonics by broadening the modulation capabilities of metasurfaces.
JOURNAL OF THE OPTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA B-OPTICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Optics
Abhik Chakraborty, Parijat Barman, Ankit Kumar Singh, Xiaofei Wu, Denis A. Akimov, Tobias Meyer-Zedler, Stefan Nolte, Carsten Ronning, Michael Schmitt, Juergen Popp, Jer-Shing Huang
Summary: Plasmonic enhancement of nonlinear light-matter interaction can be achieved by optimizing resonant plasmonic modes that match the wavelengths involved in the nonlinear optical process. This study investigates the generation and enhancement of broadband four-wave mixing in a plasmonic azimuthally chirped grating (ACG), which allows for control of near and far field interactions across a wide range of wavelengths. The mechanism responsible for field enhancement in the ACG platform depends on the interplay between groove geometry and grating periodicity. This work elucidates the collective contribution of localized surface plasmon resonance and plasmonic surface lattice resonance to the enhancement of broadband FWM in the ACG.
LASER & PHOTONICS REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Optics
Evgeny A. Perevezentsev, Malte Per Siems, Daniel Richter, Ivan B. Mukhin, Ria G. Kraemer, Anton I. Gorokhov, Mikhail R. Volkov, Stefan Nolte
Summary: The first steps towards developing and characterizing next-generation chirped volume Bragg gratings (CVBGs) using fs laser inscription were taken. CVBGs with a 3 x 3 mm2 aperture and a length of almost 12 mm were successfully created on fused silica. Despite the polarization and phase distortions caused by mechanical stresses, a possible solution to this problem was proposed. The small change in the linear absorption coefficient of fused silica allows for the utilization of these gratings in high average power lasers.
Article
Optics
Fatemeh Abtahi, Pallabi Paul, Sebastian Beer, Athira Kuppadakkath, Anton Pakhomov, Adriana Szeghalmi, Stefan Nolte, Frank Setzpfandt, Falk Eilenberger
Summary: Second-harmonic generation (SHG) is observed in periodic stacks of alternating, subwavelength dielectric layers due to the broken symmetry at the surface. The surface SHG is significantly enhanced by the large number of surfaces in these stacks. Experimental results on SiO2/TiO2 multilayer stacks grown by PEALD demonstrate substantial SHG under large angles of incidence, surpassing that of simple interfaces. The experimental results are in agreement with theoretical calculations.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Boquan Ren, Yaroslav V. Kartashov, Lukas J. Maczewsky, Marco S. Kirsch, Hongguang Wang, Alexander Szameit, Matthias Heinrich, Yiqi Zhang
Summary: We study linear and nonlinear higher-order topological insulators based on fractal waveguide arrays. These fractal structures have discrete rotational symmetries and multiple internal edges and corners in their optical potential landscape, and lack an insulating bulk. By systematically shifting the waveguides in the fractal arrays, we can form topological corner states at the outer corners of the array. These corner states can be efficiently excited by injecting Gaussian beams into the outer corner sites of the fractal arrays.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Maxime Chambonneau, Qingfeng Li, Markus Blothe, Stree Vithya Arumugam, Stefan Nolte
Summary: Although ultrafast laser welding is not suitable for joining silicon samples due to nonlinear propagation effects, these limitations can be overcome by enhancing local absorption at the interface through metallic nanolayer deposition. By combining the enhanced absorption with filament relocation during ultrafast laser irradiation, efficient joining of silicon samples is achieved. Shear joining strengths exceeding 4 MPa can be obtained with 21 nm gold nanolayers, promising applications in microelectronics, optics, and astronomy.
ADVANCED PHOTONICS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Optics
Chandroth P. Jisha, Stree Vithya Arumugam, Lorenzo Marrucci, Stefan Nolte, Alessandro Alberucci
Summary: We investigate waveguides based on the Pancharatnam-Berry phase, obtained by rotation of the optic axis in a birefringent medium. We study the case where accumulation of geometric phase is present. The interplay between different contributions to the optical potential is addressed and the polarization structure of the quasimodes is observed to evolve continuously.
Article
Optics
Chang Liu, Wilhelm Eschen, Lars Loetgering, Daniel Penagos S. Molina, Robert Klas, Alexander Iliou, Michael Steinert, Sebastian Herkersdorf, Alexander Kirsche, Thomas Pertsch, Falk Hillmann, Jens Limpert, Jan Rothhardt
Summary: Table-top extreme ultraviolet (EUV) microscopy provides new possibilities for studying biological samples without using labels. In this study, we demonstrate ptychographic EUV imaging of dried, unstained model specimens, such as germlings of a fungus and bacteria cells, at a wavelength of 13.5 nm. By using a position-correlated ptychography approach, we achieve a millimeter-squared field of view with sub-60 nm spatial resolution, enabling the identification of nanoscale material composition inside the specimens. This work will advance EUV imaging applications and open up new possibilities in life science research.
