Kosako, T., Kadoya, Y., & Hofmann, H. F. (2010). Directional control of light by a nano-optical Yagi–Uda antenna. Nat. Photon., 4, 312–315.
Abstract: The plasmon resonance of metal nanoparticles can direct light from optical emitters in much the same way that radiofrequency antennas direct the emission from electrical circuits. Recently, rapid progress has been made in the realization of single-element antennas for optical waves. Because most of these devices are designed to optimize the local near-field coupling between the antenna and an emitter, the possibility of modifying the spatial radiation pattern has not yet received as much attention. In the radiofrequency regime, a typical antenna design for high directivity is the Yagi–Uda antenna, which essentially consists of a one-dimensional array of antenna elements driven by a single feed element. By fabricating a corresponding array of nanoparticles, similar radiation patterns can be obtained in the optical regime. Here, we present the experimental demonstration of directional control of radiation from a nano-optical Yagi–Uda antenna composed of appropriately tuned gold nanorods.
|
Novotny, L. (2007). Effective wavelength scaling for optical antennas. Phys. Rev. Lett., 98(26), 266802(1–4).
Abstract: In antenna theory, antenna parameters are directly related to the wavelength λ of incident radiation, but this scaling fails at optical frequencies where metals behave as strongly coupled plasmas. In this Letter we show that antenna designs can be transferred to the optical frequency regime by replacing λ by a linearly scaled effective wavelength λeff=n1+n2λ/λp, with λp being the plasma wavelength and n1, n2 being coefficients that depend on geometry and material properties. It is assumed that the antenna is made of linear segments with radii Râ‰<aa>λ. Optical antennas hold great promise for increasing the efficiency of photovoltaics, light-emitting devices, and optical sensors.
|
Xiaolong Hu, Holzwarth, C. W., Masciarelli, D., Dauler, E. A., & Berggren, K. K. (2009). Efficiently coupling light to superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors. IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., 19(3), 336–340.
Abstract: We designed superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) integrated with silver optical antennae for free-space coupling and a dielectric waveguide for fiber coupling. According to our finite-element simulation, (1) for the free-space coupling, the absorptance of the NbN nanowire for TM-polarized photons at the wavelength of 1550 nm can be as high as 96% by adding silver optical antennae; (2) for the fiber coupling, the absorptance of the NbN nanowire for TE-like-polarized photons can reach 76% including coupling efficiency at the wavelength of 1550 nm by adding a silicon nitride waveguide and an inverse-taper coupler.
|
Kawakami, A., Saito, S., & Hyodo, M. (2011). Fabrication of nano-antennas for superconducting Infrared detectors. IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., 21(3), 632–635.
Abstract: To improve the response performance of superconducting infrared detectors, we have developed a fabrication process for nano-antennas. A nano-antenna consists of a dipole antenna, and a superconducting thin film strip placed in the antenna's center. By measuring the transition temperature of the superconducting strips, we confirmed that their superconductivity maintained a good condition after the nano-antenna fabrication process. We also evaluated nano-antenna characteristics using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The evaluated antenna length and width were respectively set at around 2400 nm and 400 nm, and the antennas were placed at intervals of several micrometers around the area of 1 mm2 . In an evaluation of spectral transmission characteristics, clear absorption caused by antenna effects was observed at around 1400 cm-1. High polarization dependencies were also observed.
|
Hocker, L. O., Sokoloff, D. R., Daneu, V., Szoke, A., & Javan, A. (1968). Frequency mixing in the infrared and far-infrared using a metal-to-metal point contact diode. Appl Phys Lett, 12(12).
Abstract: Metalâ€toâ€metal point contact diodes were used to obtain the 54â€GHz beat notes between two adjacent 10.6â€μ CO2 laser transitions. The speed of the diodes in the farâ€infrared is at least 1000 GHz. This was tested with a 337â€μ HCN laser.
|