Tailoring the optical properties at the micro- and nanoscale is key to enable new experiments in the field of quantum optics and biophotonics. To this end, I use my strong background in numerical simulations as well as nano- and microfabrication techniques together with the expertise in spectroscopy, linear and nonlinear optics to enable and conduct experiments.
Numerous optical technologies and quantum optical devices rely on the controlled coupling of a local emitter to its photonic environment, which is governed by the local density of optical states (LDOS). Although precise knowledge of the LDOS is crucial, classical optical techniques fail to measure it in all of its frequency and spatial components. Here, we use a scanning electron beam as a point source to probe the LDOS. Through angular and spectral detection of the electron-induced light emission, we spatially and spectrally resolve the light wave vector and determine the LDOS of Bloch modes in a photonic crystal membrane at an unprecedented deep-subwavelength resolution (30–40 nm) over a large spectral range. We present a first look inside photonic crystal cavities revealing subwavelength details of the resonant modes. Our results provide direct guidelines for the optimum location of emitters to control their emission, and key fundamental insights into light–matter coupling at the nanoscale.
Transformation plasmonics
Muamer Kadic,
Sébastien Guenneau,
Stefan Enoch,
Paloma A. Huidobro,
Luis Martín-Moreno,
Francisco J. García-Vidal,
Jan Renger,
Romain Quidant
Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) at metal/dielectric interfaces have raised high expectations in the ongoing quest to scale down optical devices. SPP optics offers a powerful and flexible platform for real two-dimensional integrated optics, capable of supporting both light and electrons. However, full exploitation of SPP features requires accurate control of their flow. Most efforts have focused on adapting concepts from guided optics. While this approach has led to important breakthroughs, fully deterministic control of SPP modes remains challenging. Recently, the field of optics has been stimulated by a novel paradigm: transformation optics, which enables control of light flow in any desired manner. Although it has already significantly contributed to designing metamaterials with unprecedented optical properties, its versatility offers new opportunities for deterministic control of SPPs and the design of new plasmonic functionalities. Here, we review recent progress in applying transformation optics to SPPs. We first briefly describe the theoretical formalism of transformation plasmonics, highlighting its specific aspects compared to three-dimensional optical counterparts. Numerical simulations illustrate its capability to control SPP flows at a metal interface patterned with a dielectric load. Finally, we review recent experimental implementations achieving unique SPP functionalities at optical frequencies.
Performance of electro-optical plasmonic ring resonators at telecom wavelengths
Sukanya Randhawa,
Sébastien Lachèze,
Jan Renger,
Alexandre Bouhelier,
Roch Espiau de Lamaestre,
Alain Dereux,
Romain Quidant
In this work we report on the characteristics of an electro-optical dielectric-loaded surface plasmon polariton waveguide ring resonator. By doping the dielectric host matrix with an electro-optical material and designing an appropriate set of planar electrodes, we measured a 16% relative change of transmission upon application of a controlled electric field. We have analyzed the temporal response of the device and conclude that electrostriction of the host matrix is playing a dominating role in the transmission response.
