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Tassin P, Koschny T, Kafesaki M, Soukoulis CM. A comparison of graphene, superconductors and metals as conductors for metamaterials and plasmonics. Nat Photon. 2012;6(4):259–64.
Abstract: Recent advancements in metamaterials and plasmonics have promised a number of exciting applications, in particular at terahertz and optical frequencies. Unfortunately, the noble metals used in these photonic structures are not particularly good conductors at high frequencies, resulting in significant dissipative loss. Here, we address the question of what is a good conductor for metamaterials and plasmonics. For resonant metamaterials, we develop a figure-of-merit for conductors that allows for a straightforward classification of conducting materials according to the resulting dissipative loss in the metamaterial. Application of our method predicts that graphene and high-Tc superconductors are not viable alternatives for metals in metamaterials. We also provide an overview of a number of transition metals, alkali metals and transparent conducting oxides. For plasmonic systems, we predict that graphene and high-Tc superconductors cannot outperform gold as a platform for surface plasmon polaritons, because graphene has a smaller propagation length-to-wavelength ratio.
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Kawano Y, Ishibashi K. An on-chip near-field terahertz probe and detector. Nature Photon. 2008;2(10):618–21.
Abstract: The advantageous properties of terahertz waves, such as their transmission through objects opaque to visible light, are attracting attention for imaging applications. A promising approach for achieving high spatial resolution is the use of near-field imaging. Although this method has been well established in the visible and microwave regions, it is challenging to perform in the terahertz region. In the terahertz techniques investigated to date, detectors have been located remotely from the probe, which degrades sensitivity, and the influence of far-field waves is unavoidable. Here we present a new integrated detection device for terahertz near-field imaging in which all the necessary detection components — an aperture, a probe and a terahertz detector — are integrated on one semiconductor chip, which is cryogenically cooled. This scheme allows highly sensitive, high-resolution detection of the evanescent field alone and promises new capabilities for high-resolution terahertz imaging.
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Novotny L, van Hulst N. Antennas for light. Nat Photon. 2011;5(2):83–90.
Abstract: Optical antennas are devices that convert freely propagating optical radiation into localized energy, and vice versa. They enable the control and manipulation of optical fields at the nanometre scale, and hold promise for enhancing the performance and efficiency of photodetection, light emission and sensing. Although many of the properties and parameters of optical antennas are similar to their radiowave and microwave counterparts, they have important differences resulting from their small size and the resonant properties of metal nanostructures. This Review summarizes the physical properties of optical antennas, provides a summary of some of the most important recent developments in the field, discusses the potential applications and identifies the future challenges and opportunities.
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Goulielmakis E. Attosecond photonics: Extreme ultraviolet catastrophes. Nat Photon. 2012;6(3):142–3.
Abstract: Extreme ultraviolet attosecond pulses, which emerge from the interaction of atoms with intense laser fields, play a central role in modern ultrafast science and the exploration of electron behaviour. Recent work now shows that catastrophe theory can help optimize the properties of these pulses.
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Ulhaq A, Weiler S, Ulrich SM, Roßbach R, Jetter M, Michler P. Cascaded single-photon emission from the Mollow triplet sidebands of a quantum dot. Nat Photon. 2012;6(4):238–42.
Abstract: Emission from a resonantly excited quantum emitter is a fascinating research topic within the field of quantum optics and is a useful source for different types of quantum light fields. The resonance spectrum consists of a single spectral line that develops into a triplet above saturation of the quantum emitter. The three closely spaced photon channels from the resonance fluorescence have different photon statistical signatures. We present a detailed photon statistics analysis of the resonance fluorescence emission triplet from a solid-state-based artificial atom, that is, a semiconductor quantum dot. The photon correlation measurements demonstrate both `single' and `cascaded' photon emission from the Mollow triplet sidebands. The bright and narrow sideband emission (5.9 × 106 photons per second into the first lens) can be conveniently frequency-tuned by laser detuning over 15 times its linewidth (Δv ~ 1.0 GHz). These unique properties make the Mollow triplet sideband emission a valuable light source for quantum light spectroscopy and quantum information applications, for example.
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