The objective of this proposal is to explore novel 2D and 3D nanoplasmonic waveguides, especially for applications in nano-optic modulators and sensors. Intellectual Merit: The proposal addresses four important challenges in nanoplasmonics: (1) efficient integration of conventional and nanoplasmonic components, (2) efficient mode conversion to nano scale dimension, (3) practical 3D nanoplasmonic waveguides and (4) high performance nanoplasmonic modulators and sensors. The research proposes a radically different approach, founded on recent promising preliminary simulation results, and based on a slot waveguide and surface plasmonic design. This project will investigate how to understand and apply this photon-matter interaction in nanoscale metal slots for efficient light wave-guiding. Exploration of these quantum effects may lead to novel, highly performing devices.
Broader Impact: The proposed research will help establish the fundamental theory and techniques for high efficiency nanoplasmonic devices. Students involved in the project will benefit from this advanced field of research. The PI will promote participation of under-represented students from the Women in Engineering program at RIT. The research activities will also be incorporated in college courses. In addition students will participate in outreach efforts to K-12 students.
(NSF ECCS-1057381) Nanoplasmonic devices promise to control the flow of light at the nanoscale with metallic nanostructures, showing unprecedented opportunities to catch up the rate of miniaturization witnessed by the semiconductor industry. The objective of this project is to explore novel 2D and 3D nanoplasmonic waveguides and their integration on conventional dielectric platforms. The project starting on 10/01/10 and ending on 09/30/13 was completed very successfully. The progress of this project has been reported in 9 journal papers and 17 conference presentations. The following is the summary. In this project, one of the smallest 3D nanoplasmonic waveguides with mode dimensions 50nm-by-80nm has been experimentally demonstrated. Quite efficient conversion can be achieved between photonic and plasmonic domains based butt-coupling between a dielectric waveguide and a metal-insulator-metal plasmonic waveguide. These results may find important applications in future nanophotonic circuits. See Fig. 1. We also showed that tunable epsilon-near-zero materials or graphene may make ultracompact electro-optical modulators when sandwiched in dielectric or plasmonic waveguides even though the tuning range is only a few nanometers. They modulation structures may also be used to realize ultrafast waveguide-based beamsteering. The successful development of the electro-optical modulators may have revolutionary impacts on the whole semiconductor industry. The beamsteering may find indispensable applications in military systems. See Figs. 2, 3 and 4. Based on a novel configuration, the graphene absorption can be greatly enhanced in a broadband spectrum regime. This result may be used to develop efficient photodetectors and solar cells. See Fig. 5. At low frequencies, deep subwavelength modes (0.04λ-by-0.03λ) can be guided on textured metallic structures by spoof plasmons, which imply that many advantages of the plasmonic waveguides can be extended into mid-infrared, terahertz, and even microwave electromagnetic frequency domains. This project has supported, directly or indirectly, up to 5 PhD students (including two females) and 10 master students, resulting in 9 journal papers, 17 conference presentations, and one patent (combining two provisional patents). The research results have been incorporated in three courses: Optoelectronics, Integrated Optical Devices and Systems, and Modern Optics for Engineers. Two lectures on Nanoplasmonics and Metamaterials each year were given in the Introduction of Microsystems and Nanotechology (MCSE-702) based on the results of this program. The students involved in this research have been exposed to an R&D environment and participate in technology development while learning advanced techniques. These include: Nanophotonic and Electromagnetic Device design and simulation, Nanofabrication, and Characterization of nanoplasmonic devices. Five students have been sent to NSF Nanofabriation facilities at Cornell. The experience the students obtained has helped their future work in job market. Two PhD student and five MS students has graduated and taken positions in US industry. The results from this program have been reported by public medium, Photonics Spectra. A news article was published in SPIE Newsroom (http://spie.org/x83191.xml). The results from this program have been reported by public medium, Research at RIT. Several invited seminars or colloquiums were given at external universities. Research results have been exhibited in Imaging RIT to the upper New York community. Two half-day scientific activities in PI’s lab for 6th grade students from Theodore Roosevelt School No. 43 in 2012 and 2013. About one third of the students are minority.
