Metallo-Dielectric Photonic Crystals for Optical Applications

摘要

Our Research focuses on the synthesis and characterization of new optical materials. Materials periodically patterned on optical wavelength scales, such as three-dimensional photonic crystals hold great promise for generating and controlling optical signals. Examples include enhanced optical sensing capabilities of nano-structured materials, and nonlinear photonic crystals for optical logic applications. Of particular interest to us is a new class of photonic materials, known as metallo-dielectric photonic structures. These materials are of immense interest due to the unusual dispersive effects present in metals, as well as greatly enhanced optical nonlinearities which have been demonstrated in these systems. These unique phenomena are mediated by the excitation of surface plasmon polaritons at the metal-dielectric interfaces. Such low-dimensional excitations are confined to dimensions much smaller than the wavelength of light, thus facilitating optical interactions at sub-diffraction-limit volumes. The rich optical phenomena offered by metallo- dielectrics therefore holds tremendous potential for novel optical materials, with unique spectral response and enhanced optical nonlinearities.