Surface-plasmon-polariton-induced suppressed transmission through ultrathin metal disk arrays

We report surface-plasmon-polariton-induced suppressed transmission through two-dimensional arrays of isolated metal disks with a thickness comparable to optical skin depth of the metal. A transmittance dip of -17.5 dB is achieved at the resonant wavelength of 1524 nm, compared to -12 dB for closed film. Coupling the light into the surface-plasmon polariton results in enhanced absorption, which is potentially interesting in solar cell applications.     

Effect of a thin dielectric layer on terahertz transmission characteristics for metal hole arrays

We studied the role of surface-plasmon polaritons (SPPs) in a bandpass transmission property of two-dimensional metal hole arrays (2D-MHAs) by investigating the effect of thin dielectric layers on the 2D-MHA surfaces. We measured zero-order transmission spectra of the 2D-MHAs by changing the thickness of the dielectric layer and found that the bandpass transmission peak shifted to the lower-frequency side with increasing layer thickness, owing to the change of the resonant frequency of the SPP. This result shows that SPPs play a crucial role in the transmission property of 2D-MHAs in the terahertz region.     

Tunable enhanced transmission of terahertz radiation through an array of subwavelength holes perforated on a semiconductor film by applying external static magnetic fields

We numerically investigated the tunability of resonance terahertz frequencies of enhanced transmission through a two-dimensional array of holes perforated on a semiconductor film by external static magnetic fields using FDTD methods. We found that the in-plane surface-plasmon polaritons-induced transmission peaks shifted appreciably to longer wavelengths when a moderate magnetic field is applied parallel to the patterned semiconductor film and perpendicular to the electric fields of the incident electromagnetic waves. In particular, there is another transmission peak on which the tuning effect is neglectable, indicating that different mechanism accounts for it.     

从光子晶体效应到表面等离子波的实时演变

文章报道了激光诱导太赫兹表面等离子谐振效应。采用激光抽运-太赫兹波探测技术，实时改变单晶硅中的载流子浓度，使其介电特性从类绝缘体演变为类金属导体，以支持表面等离子谐振效应，进而实现太赫兹波在周期性亚波长单晶硅孔阵列中的实时可控制谐振增强传输。同时还通过实验观测到太赫兹波从光子晶体效应到表面等离子波的实时演变。文章作者采用Fano模型对实验结果进行模拟分析，获得了与实验数据一致的理论拟合。     

Optically controlled terahertz beam steering and imaging

We propose a spatial modulator for terahertz waves based on light induced electron plasma in photo-active semiconductors. A two-dimensional array of computer controlled light is used to create free carries in bulk silicon, which results in a spatial modulation of the transmission at terahertz frequencies. This method not only exhibits a remarkable modulation depth over a broad frequency range but also allows for an optically controlled beam steering of terahertz waves by inducing virtual grating structures. In addition, we analyze the possibility of all-optically controlled terahertz imaging.     

Terahertz plasmon and surface-plasmon modes in cylindrical metallic nanowires

We present a theoretical study on collective excitation modes associated with plasmon and surface-plasmon oscilla- tions in cylindrical metallic nanowires. Based on a two-subband model, the dynamical dielectric function matrix is derived under the random-phase approximation. An optic-like branch and an acoustic-like branch, which are free of Landau damp- ing, are observed for both plasmon and surface-plasmon modes. Interestingly, for surface-plasmon modes, we find that two branches of the dispersion relation curves converge at a wavevector qz = qrnax beyond which no surface-plasmon mode exists. Moreover, we examine the dependence of these excitation modes on sample parameters such as the radius of the nanowires. It is found that in metallic nanowires realized by state-of-the-art nanotechnology the intra- and inter-subband plasmon and surface-plasmon frequencies are in the terahertz bandwidth. The frequency of the optic-like modes decreases with increasing radius of the nanowires, whereas that of the acoustic-like modes is not sensitive to the variation of the radius. This study is pertinent to the application of metallic nanowires as frequency-tunable terahertz plasmonic devices.     

Microscopic origin of surface-plasmon radiation in plasmonic band-gap nanostructures

We report spatial domain measurements of the damping of surface-plasmon excitations in metal films with periodic nanohole arrays. The measurements reveal a short coherent propagation length of a few microm inside nanohole arrays, consistent with delays of about 10 fs in ultrafast transmission experiments. This implies that the transmission spectra of the entire plasmonic band-gap structure are homogeneously broadened by radiative damping of surface-plasmon excitations. We show that a Rayleigh-like scattering of surface plasmons by the periodic hole array is the microscopic origin of this damping, allowing the reradiation rate to be controlled.     

Coherent plasmonic enhanced terahertz transmission through random metallic media

We experimentally show coherent, enhanced terahertz transmission through dense 3D random metallic media having subwavelength heterogeneity. Preservation of the incident polarization state and strong dispersion of the transmitted radiation indicate that the enhanced transmission is due to delocalized plasmonic propagation over distances 5 orders of magnitude greater than the skin depth. The experimental observations are supported by numerical finite difference time-domain simulations.     

Terahertz surface-wave resonant sensor with a metal hole array

A surface-wave sensor based on the resonant transmission characteristics of metal hole arrays is demonstrated in the terahertz (THz) region. Since the frequency of the transmission peak of a metal hole array, which corresponds to the resonant frequency of the surface waves, is particularly sensitive to the refractive index in the vicinity of the metal surface, a very small change in the substances attached to the surface can be detected by monitoring the transmission spectrum. By attaching a layer of substance (thickness t < 5 microm) much thinner than the wavelength of the THz wave (lambda(THz) = 1 mm at 0.3 THz) to the surface of a metal hole array, we demonstrated that the existence of such a small amount of substance can be detected more easily than without the metal hole array. This demonstration of THz sensing with metal hole arrays indicates the possibility of realizing THz surface-wave sensors for biochemical molecules in the THz region.     

Parallel laser microfabrication of terahertz metamaterials and its polarization-dependent transmission property

Large-area split ring resonator (SRR) array was fabricated by femtosecond laser micro-lens array lithography at a fast speed. Transmission spectra of the SRR arrays at different incident terahertz wave polarization states were characterized by terahertz time domain spectroscopy. A polarization-dependent transmission property of the SRR array was observed. Polarization-dependent loss (PDL) spectrum was characterized to investigate the polarization properties of the terahertz metamaterials. The PDL characterization can eliminate the substrate effect and provide a flexible platform to study the characteristics of free-standing terahertz metamaterials.     

Directional terahertz radiation through groove-assisted hole array

The authors theoretically demonstrate the terahertz beam shaping with metallic subwavelength holes array surrounded by concentric periodic grooves. High transmission and directional radiation can be obtained simultaneously for the resonant excitation of the surface wave in the combined structure. Finite-difference time-domain simulation results shows that the transmission mainly depends on the lattice constant of hole array and the features of incident surface around it, while the far-field angle distribution is dominated by the details of the output surface. This compact beam shaping structure is hoped to serve as a basic device for future terahertz systems.     

Polarization tomography of metallic nanohole arrays

We report polarization tomography experiments on metallic nanohole arrays with square and hexagonal symmetry. As a main result we find that a fully polarized input beam is partly depolarized after transmission through a nanohole array. This loss of polarization coherence is found to be anisotropic; i.e., it depends on the polarization state of the input beam. The depolarization is ascribed to a combination of two factors: (i) the nonlocal response of the array as a result of surface-plasmon propagation and (ii) the non-plane-wave nature of a practical input beam.     

Thermal radiation from carbon nanotubes in the terahertz range

The thermal radiation from an isolated finite-length carbon nanotube (CNT) is theoretically investigated both in near- and far-field zones. The formation of the discrete spectrum in metallic CNTs in the terahertz range is demonstrated due to the reflection of strongly slowed-down surface-plasmon modes from CNT ends. The effect does not appear in semiconductor CNTs. The concept of a CNT as a thermal nanoantenna is proposed.     

Terahertz tomography using quantum-cascade lasers

The interfaces of a dielectric sample are resolved in reflection geometry using light from a frequency agile array of terahertz quantum-cascade lasers. The terahertz source is a 10-element linear array of third-order distributed-feedback QCLs emitting at discrete frequencies from 2.08 to 2.4 THz. Emission from the array is collimated and sent through a Michelson interferometer, with the sample placed in one of the arms. Interference signals collected at each frequency are used to reconstruct an interferogram and detect the interfaces in the sample. Because of the long coherence length of the source, the interferometer arms need not be adjusted to the zero-path delay. A depth resolution of 360 μm in the dielectric is achieved with further potential improvement through improved frequency coverage of the array. The entire experiment footprint is <1 m×1 m with the source operated in a compact, closed-cycle cryocooler.     

Localized surface plasmons-based transmission enhancement of terahertz radiation through metal aperture arrays

The extraordinary transmission spectrum of a copper film pierced by a periodic array of subwavelength rectangular holes is measured by the terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. The transmission coefficient is strongly dependent on the angle between the polarization of terahertz electric field and the latitudinal direction of the periodic apertures. When the angle increases from 0^o to 90^o, a peak becomes stronger and another peak reduces. The transmission is proposed to be the contributions of localized surface plasmons inside the apertures. The finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) simulation results are in good agreement with experimental observations.     

Terahertz superconducting plasmonic hole array

We demonstrate a superconductor array of subwavelength holes with active thermal control over the resonant transmission induced by surface plasmon polaritons. The array was lithographically fabricated on a high-temperature yttrium barium copper oxide superconductor and characterized by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. We observe a clear transition from a virtual excitation of the surface plasmon mode to a real surface plasmon mode. The highly controllable superconducting plasmonic crystals may find promising applications in the design of low-loss, large- dynamic-range amplitude modulation and surface-plasmon-based terahertz devices.     

2.9THz束缚态向连续态跃迁量子级联激光器研制

采用气源分子束外延技术生长了GaAs/AlGaAs束缚态向连续 态跃迁的太赫兹量子级联激光器材料, 基于半绝缘等离子体波导工艺制作了太赫兹量子级联激光器. 测量了激光器的发射光谱和功率-电流-电压关系曲线, 研究了器件的激光特性. 器件激射频率约2.95 THz, 脉冲模式下, 最高工作温度为67 K. 连续波模式下, 阈值电流密度最低为230 A/cm², 最大光输出功率1.2 mW, 最高工作温度为30 K. 关键词： 太赫兹 量子级联激光器 分子束外延 波导     

半绝缘等离子体波导太赫兹量子级联激光器工艺研究

采用气态源分子束外延设备生长了GaAs/AlGaAs束缚态到连续态跃迁结构的太赫兹（THz）量子级联激光器（QCL）有源区结构,研究了半绝缘等离子体波导THz QCL的器件工艺,采用远红外傅里叶变换光谱仪以及探测器测量了器件的电光特性.器件激射频率为32 THz,10 K下的阈值电流密度为275 A/cm². 关键词： 太赫兹 量子级联激光器 波导 器件工艺     

亚波长孔阵列的太赫兹波异常透射研究

利用太赫兹时域光谱（THz-TDS）系统,在5—300 K温区下测量了在厚度约200 nm的金属Nb薄膜刻蚀的亚波长圆孔阵列的异常THz波透射情况.实验结果表明,在03—2 THz波段,具有亚波长孔阵结构的金属Nb薄膜的异常透射现象波谱的峰位置与CST（computer simulation technology）软件仿真模拟的结果一致,峰值随温度降低有逐渐增强的趋势. 关键词： 亚波长孔阵列 THz时域光谱技术 异常透射     

Observation of magnetoconductivity with terahertz probes for ferromagnetic Fe films

Ultrafast characterization of spin-dependent transport behavior in ferromagnetic systems without contact probes has been of strong demand, recently. We have experimentally investigated spin-dependent complex conductivity for ferromagnetic Fe films of various thickness by means of terahertz time-domain transmission spectroscopy. Comparison of the transmitted terahertz wave amplitude and the spin-dependent conductivity reveals that the magnetization state of films effectively determines the complex conductivity. Non-invasive observation of spin-dependent conductivity by contact-free terahertz probe method is proven to be promising in further investigating spintronic materials, particularly on an ultrafast timescale.