Theoretical Study of the Anomalies of Coated Dielectric Gratings

Derivation of analytical expressions for anomalous reflection in the limit of zero thickness and weakly modulated dielectric grating

It is known that dielectric gratings exhibit anomalous scattering behavior. At certain incident angles, which are not related to the grating's formula, 100% of the incident beam is reflected and, at other angles, 100% is transmitted. In this paper, analytical expressions are derived, for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, for these angles in the regime of narrow grating and weak modulation depth. In these expressions, the parameters emerge from basic principles. Moreover, in this weak modulation regime, a simple and analytically solvable model can be used to derive an analytical expression for the scattered electromagnetic field. Furthermore, it is shown that 100% reflection is achieved even when the grating layer shrinks to zero, the change in the layer's refractive index is zero, and even when the modulation depth is arbitrarily weak, in which case, the incident angle satisfies sin⁡θ_min≅±(1-λ/Λ), where Λ is the grating spacing and λ is the beam's wavelength. This result is valid for any ratio λ/Λ. Finally, it is shown that these anomalous transmission behaviors occur even when the modulation coefficient is imaginary and that these analytical expressions are still valid and can predict the corresponding angles.

Computing diffraction anomalies as nonlinear eigenvalue problems

When a plane electromagnetic wave impinges on a diffraction grating or other periodic structures, reflected and transmitted waves propagate away from the structure in different radiation channels. A diffraction anomaly occurs when the outgoing waves in one or more radiation channels vanish. Zero reflection, zero transmission, and perfect absorption are important examples of diffraction anomalies, and they are useful for manipulating electromagnetic waves and light. Since diffraction anomalies appear only at specific frequencies and/or wave vectors, and may require the tuning of structural or material parameters, they are relatively difficult to find by standard numerical methods. Iterative methods may be used, but good initial guesses are required. To determine all diffraction anomalies in a given frequency interval, it is necessary to repeatedly solve the diffraction problem for many frequencies. In this paper, an efficient numerical method is developed for computing diffraction anomalies. The method relies on nonlinear eigenvalue formulations for scattering anomalies and solves the nonlinear eigenvalue problems by a contour-integral method. Numerical examples involving periodic arrays of cylinders are presented to illustrate the new method.

Extreme enhancement of the quality (Q)-factor and mode field intensity in cavity-resonator gratings

In this paper, dielectric Cavity-Resonant Integrated-Grating Filters (CRIGFs) are numerically optimized to achieve extremely high-quality factors, by optimizing the cavity in/out-coupling rate and by introducing apodizing mode-matching sections to reduce scattering losses. Q-factors ranging between 0.1 and 50 million are obtained and two different domains are distinguished, as a function of the perturbation parameter which controls the cavity in/out-coupling rate. When the cavity coupling Q-factor is lower than the Q-factor of the uncoupled Fabry-Perot cavity, corresponding to the over-coupling regime, the reflectivity response exhibits a high resonance maximum. On the contrary, in the under-coupling regime the resonant reflectivity maximum is much weaker since the scattering losses of the uncoupled cavity dominate. Between these two domains, the so-called critical coupling condition leads to very strong field enhancement inside the device, reaching up to 10⁴ times the incident field amplitude. This theoretical work paves the way towards the practical implementation of CRIGFs with much higher Q-factors than currently demonstrated, potentially reaching performance on a par with other resonators such as photonic crystal cavities or whispering gallery mode resonators. These results can serve to optimize the design of narrow-band planar grating filters, particularly for application in non-linear optics.

Design of highly sensitive refractive index sensors in the visible region utilizing metal layer assisted guided modes

We present a systematic comparison of the metal layer assisted guided mode resonance-based sensing structures with the traditional guided mode resonance-based sensing structures sharing identical design parameters for various two-dimensional square hole and pillar grating type lattice configurations. The surface and volume integrals of the electromagnetic field intensity profiles at resonance have been computed for all the considered structures to show that the waveguide-pillar-based structures offer the strongest interaction between the resonant modes and the sensing region, resulting in a superior sensitivity. Further insights into the nature of metal assisted guided mode resonance-based sensors and the ways to generate a strong resonant response are reported for the visible range of operation.

Perfectly-reflecting guided-mode-resonant photonic lattices possessing Mie modal memory

Resonant periodic nanostructures provide perfect reflection across small or large spectral bandwidths depending on the choice of materials and design parameters. This effect has been known for decades, observed theoretically and experimentally via one-dimensional and two-dimensional structures commonly known as resonant gratings, metamaterials, and metasurfaces. The physical cause of this extraordinary phenomenon is guided-mode resonance mediated by lateral Bloch modes excited by evanescent diffraction orders in the subwavelength regime. In recent years, hundreds of papers have declared Fabry-Perot or Mie resonance to be the basis of the perfect reflection possessed by periodic metasurfaces. Treating a simple one-dimensional cylindrical-rod lattice, here we show clearly and unambiguously that Mie resonance does not cause perfect reflection. In fact, the spectral placement of the Bloch-mode-mediated zero-order reflectance is primarily controlled by the lattice period by way of its direct effect on the homogenized effective-medium refractive index of the lattice. In general, perfect reflection appears away from Mie resonance. However, when the lateral leaky-mode field profiles approach the isolated-particle Mie field profiles, the resonance locus tends towards the Mie resonance wavelength. The fact that the lattice fields "remember" the isolated particle fields is referred here as "Mie modal memory." On erasure of the Mie memory by an index-matched sublayer, we show that perfect reflection survives with the resonance locus approaching the homogenized effective-medium waveguide locus. The results presented here will aid in clarifying the physical basis of general resonant photonic lattices.

Resonant reflection by microsphere arrays with AR-quenched Mie scattering

Periodic guided-mode resonance structures which provide perfect reflection across sizeable spectral bandwidths have been known for decades and are now often referred to as metasurfaces and metamaterials. Although the underlying physics for these devices is explained by evanescent-wave excitation of leaky Bloch modes, a growing body of literature contends that local particle resonance is causative in perfect reflection. Here, we address differentiation of Mie resonance and guided-mode resonance in mediating resonant reflection by periodic particle assemblies. We treat a classic 2D periodic array consisting of silicon spheres. To disable Mie resonance, we apply an optimal antireflection (AR) coating to the spheres. Reflectance maps for coated and uncoated spheres demonstrate that perfect reflection persists in both cases. It is shown that the Mie scattering efficiency of an AR-coated sphere is greatly diminished. The reflectance properties of AR-coated spherical arrays have not appeared in the literature previously. From this viewpoint, these results illustrate high-efficiency resonance reflection in Mie-resonance-quenched particle arrays and may help dispel misconceptions of the basic operational physics.

Propagating-order scattering matrix of conically mounted and crossed gratings

A systematic and formal study of the global and elemental properties of the propagating-order scattering matrix of conically mounted and crossed gratings is presented. The most general formulation of the scattering matrix is established. Expressions of the global properties (reciprocity and unitarity) of the scattering matrix (S matrix) in the general form previously not available in the literature are presented in the main text, and their full mathematical derivations are given in two appendices. The distinctive contribution of this work is an exposition of the elemental properties of the S matrix. The elemental S tensor and the elemental S matrix, the latter being the linear-space representation of the former, for a pair of an incident plane wave and a diffracted order are defined and studied. The key results of the exposition are two sum rules of diffraction efficiencies and a dot-product-free, vectorial reciprocity theorem.

Graphene Oxide for Integrated Photonics and Flat Optics

With superior optical properties, high flexibility in engineering its material properties, and strong capability for large-scale on-chip integration, graphene oxide (GO) is an attractive solution for on-chip integration of 2D materials to implement functional integrated photonic devices capable of new features. Over the past decade, integrated GO photonics, representing an innovative merging of integrated photonic devices and thin GO films, has experienced significant development, leading to a surge in many applications covering almost every field of optical sciences such as photovoltaics, optical imaging, sensing, nonlinear optics, and light emitting. This paper reviews the recent advances in this emerging field, providing an overview of the optical properties of GO as well as methods for the on-chip integration of GO. The main achievements made in GO hybrid integrated photonic devices for diverse applications are summarized. The open challenges as well as the potential for future improvement are also discussed.

Polarization-independent narrowband transmittance filters via symmetry-protected modes in high contrast gratings

We present a high-index contrast dielectric grating design for polarization-independent narrowband transmission filtering. A reduced symmetry hexagonal lattice allows coupling to symmetry-protected modes (bound states in the continuum) at normal incidence, enabling high-Q spectral peaks. The peak linewidth is tunable via degree of geometric symmetry reduction. Using diffraction efficiency calculations, we gain further insight into the design and physics of one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) asymmetric high contrast gratings. The grating design provides a filter response that is simultaneously polarization independent and functional at normal incidence, overcoming limitations of 1D asymmetric gratings and 2D symmetric gratings.

Demonstration of a dual-channel two-dimensional reflection grating filter

A dual-channel two-dimensional (2D) reflection grating filter operating around the 1.55 µm wavelength region is demonstrated, exhibiting dual-channel reflection peaks at 1.492 µm and 1.647 µm. The sidebands intrinsic to this kind of grating are suppressed by appropriately designed antireflective thin films, and this can be proved by equivalent medium theory. Using the modal analysis method, the excitation modes of the dual-channel reflection peaks are determined to be the TM0 (1.490 µm) and TE0 (1.638 µm) modes. The estimated relative errors in the wavelength determination of these modes are less than 1%. This is found to be in accord with analyses of the reflectivity spectra and electromagnetic fields. The dual-channel reflection peaks are sensitive to the background refractive index and may be useful in biosensing applications.

Second-harmonic-generation enhancement in cavity resonator integrated grating filters

We demonstrate numerically and experimentally second-harmonic generation (SHG) in a cavity resonator integrated grating filter (CRIGF, a planar cavity resonator made of Bragg grating reflectors) around 1550 nm. SHG is modeled numerically for several different systems, including a thin plane layer of LiNbO₃ without and with a grating coupler to excite a waveguide mode. We demonstrate that when the waveguide mode is confined to a CRIGF, designed to work with focused incident beams, the SHG power is increased more than 30 times, compared to the case of a single grating coupler used with an almost collimated pump beam.

Resonant properties of composite structures consisting of several resonant diffraction gratings

We theoretically and numerically investigate resonant optical properties of composite structures consisting of several subwavelength resonant diffraction gratings separated by homogeneous layers. Using the scattering matrix formalism, we demonstrate that the composite structure comprising N gratings has a multiple transmittance zero of the order N. We show that at the distance between the gratings satisfying the Fabry-Pérot resonance condition, an (N - 1)-degenerate bound state in the continuum (BIC) is formed. The results of rigorous numerical simulations fully confirm the theoretically predicted formation of multiple zeros and BICs in the composite structures. Near the BICs, an effect very similar to the electromagnetically induced transparency is observed. We show that by making the proper choice of the thicknesses of the layers separating the gratings, nearly rectangular reflectance or transmittance peaks with steep slopes and virtually no sidelobes can be obtained. In particular, one of the presented examples demonstrates the possibility of obtaining an approximately rectangular transmittance peak with a significantly subnanometer width. The presented results may find application in the design of optical filters, sensors and devices for optical differentiation and transformation of optical signals.

Resonant Grating without a Planar Waveguide Layer as a Refractive Index Sensor

Dielectric grating-based sensors are usually based on the guided mode resonance (GMR) obtained using a thin planar waveguide layer (PWL) adjacent to a thin subwavelength grating layer. In this work, we present a detailed investigation of thick subwavelength dielectric grating structures that exhibit reflection resonances above a certain thickness without the need for the waveguide layer, showing great potential for applications in biosensing and tunable filtering. Analytic and numerical results are thoroughly discussed, as well as an experimental demonstration of the structure as a chemical sensor in the SWIR (short wave infrared) spectral range (1200-1800 nm). In comparison to the GMR structure with PWL, the thick grating structure has several unique properties: (i) It gives higher sensitivity when the spaces are filled, with the analyte peaking at certain space values due to an increase in the interaction volume between the analyte and the evanescent optical field between the grating lines; (ii) the TM (transverse magnetic) resonance, in certain cases, provides a better figure of merit; (iii) the sensitivity increases as the grating height increases; (iii) the prediction of the resonance locations based on the effective medium approximation does not give satisfactory results when the grating height is larger than a certain value, and the invalidity becomes more severe as the period increases; (iv) a sudden increase in the Q-factor of the resonance occurs at a specific height value accompanied by the high local field enhancement (~10³) characteristic of a nano-antenna type pattern. Rigorous numerical simulations of the field distribution are presented to explain the different observed phenomena.

A phase-change thin film-tuned photonic crystal device

This paper reports a tunable photonic device that incorporates a thin layer of phase-change material, Ge₂Sb₂Te₅ (GST), in a photonic crystal (PC) structure. The PC structure is based on a one-dimensional grating waveguide with a metal cladding. The metal-cladded PC structure supports a guided-mode resonance (GMR) that selectively absorbs light at a particular wavelength. Inserting the GST material into the gating waveguide makes it possible to control the GMR mode. Here, the GST-PC device was numerically designed and optimized to obtain significant tuning of the GMR mode around 1550 nm. The tuning phenomena were experimentally demonstrated by the heat-induced phase change between crystalline and amorphous phases of the GST thin film. A spectral shift of the resonant wavelength from 1440 to 1610 nm was achieved via the crystallization process. The phase tuning of GST exhibits good repeatability as demonstrated by switching between amorphous and crystalline phases of GST for multiple cycles. The GST-PC device represents a new approach for tuning optical resonances with potential applications including but not limited to integrated photonic circuits, optical communications, and high-performance optical filters.

Extraordinary optical reflection resonances and bound states in the continuum from a periodic array of thin metal plates

The creation of artificial structures with very narrow spectral features in the terahertz range has been a long-standing goal, as they can enable many important applications. Unlike in the visible and infrared, where compact dielectric resonators can readily achieve a quality factor (Q) of 10⁶, terahertz resonators with a Q of 10³ are considered heroic. Here, we describe a new approach to this challenging problem, inspired by the phenomenon of extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) in 1D structures. In the well-studied EOT problem, a complex spectrum of resonances can be observed in transmission through a mostly solid metal structure. However, these EOT resonances can hardly exhibit extremely high Q, even in a perfect structure with lossless components. In contrast, we show that the inverse structure, a periodic array of very thin metal plates separated by air gaps, can exhibit non-trivial bound states in the continuum (BICs) reflection resonances, with arbitrarily high Q, and with peak reflectivity approaching 100% even for a vanishingly small metal filling fraction. Our analytical predictions are supported by numerical simulations, and also agree well with our experimental measurements. This configuration offers a new approach to achieving ultra-narrow optical resonances in the terahertz range, as well as a new experimentally accessible configuration for studying BICs.

Quantitative analysis of focal adhesion dynamics using photonic resonator outcoupler microscopy (PROM)

Focal adhesions are critical cell membrane components that regulate adhesion and migration and have cluster dimensions that correlate closely with adhesion engagement and migration speed. We utilized a label-free approach for dynamic, long-term, quantitative imaging of cell-surface interactions called photonic resonator outcoupler microscopy (PROM) in which membrane-associated protein aggregates outcoupled photons from the resonant evanescent field of a photonic crystal biosensor, resulting in a highly localized reduction of the reflected light intensity. By mapping the changes in the resonant reflected peak intensity from the biosensor surface, we demonstrate the ability of PROM to detect focal adhesion dimensions. Similar spatial distributions can be observed between PROM images and fluorescence-labeled images of focal adhesion areas in dental epithelial stem cells. In particular, we demonstrate that cell-surface contacts and focal adhesion formation can be imaged by two orthogonal label-free modalities in PROM simultaneously, providing a general-purpose tool for kinetic, high axial-resolution monitoring of cell interactions with basement membranes.

Planar two-groove optical differentiator in a slab waveguide

We propose a simple planar optical differentiator consisting of two grooves on the surface of a slab waveguide. The studied differentiator operates in reflection and enables temporal and spatial differentiation of optical pulses and beams propagating in the waveguide. The differentiation is associated with the excitation of an eigenmode localized at the ridge located between the grooves. The presented numerical simulation results demonstrate high-quality spatial, temporal and the so-called spatiotemporal differentiation. The proposed differentiator may find application in ultrafast analog computing and signal processing systems.

2 × 1D crossed strongly modulated gratings for polarization independent tunable narrowband transmission filters

We design a narrowband polarization independent transmission guided mode resonance filter whose center wavelength is tunable with respect to the angle of incidence. The device is composed of two identical structures assembled back to back. Each half structure is a dielectric multilayer stack in which a grating is engraved. This so-called 2×1D crossed gratings component has already been demonstrated for reflection filtering [Opt. Lett.36, 1662 (2011)OPLEDP0146-959210.1364/OL.36.001662; Opt. Lett.39, 6038 (2014)OPLEDP0146-959210.1364/OL.39.006038]. The functioning in transmission requires the use of a high index material for the grating bumps. For the design, we resort to a clustering global optimization algorithm, used for the first time to our knowledge for grating structures. We demonstrated two filters with a quality factor of about 4000, tunable over more than 15 nm when the angle of incidence varies over a range of 4°, and with a transmittivity at resonance greater than 95% whatever the incident polarization.

Quantitative Imaging of Cell Membrane-associated Effective Mass Density Using Photonic Crystal Enhanced Microscopy (PCEM)

Adhesion is a critical cellular process that contributes to migration, apoptosis, differentiation, and division. It is followed by the redistribution of cellular materials at the cell membrane or at the cell-surface interface for cells interacting with surfaces, such as basement membranes. Dynamic and quantitative tracking of changes in cell adhesion mass redistribution is challenging because cells are rapidly moving, inhomogeneous, and nonequilibrium objects, whose physical and mechanical properties are difficult to measure or predict. Here, we report a novel biosensor based microscopy approach termed Photonic Crystal Enhanced Microscopy (PCEM) that enables the movement of cellular materials at the plasma membrane of individual live cells to be dynamically monitored and quantitatively imaged. PCEM utilizes a photonic crystal biosensor surface, which can be coated with arbitrary extracellular matrix materials to facilitate cellular interactions, within a modified brightfield microscope with a low intensity non-coherent light source. Benefiting from the high sensitivity, narrow resonance peak, and tight spatial confinement of the evanescent field atop the photonic crystal biosensor, PCEM enables label-free live cell imaging with high sensitivity and high lateral and axial spatial-resolution, thereby allowing dynamic adhesion phenotyping of single cells without the use of fluorescent tags or stains. We apply PCEM to investigate adhesion and the early stage migration of different types of stem cells and cancer cells. By applying image processing algorithms to analyze the complex spatiotemporal information generated by PCEM, we offer insight into how the plasma membrane of anchorage dependent cells is dynamically organized during cell adhesion. The imaging and analysis results presented here provide a new tool for biologists to gain a deeper understanding of the fundamental mechanisms involved with cell adhesion and concurrent or subsequent migration events.

High-quality-factor planar optical cavities with laterally stopped, slowed, or reversed light

In a planar optical cavity, the resonance frequencies increase as a function of in-plane wavevector according to a standard textbook formula. This has well-known consequences in many different areas of optics, from the shifts of etalon peaks at non-normal angles, to the properties of transverse modes in laser diodes, to the effective mass of microcavity photons, and so on. However, this standard formula is valid only when the reflection phase of each cavity mirror is approximately independent of angle. There is a certain type of mirror-a subwavelength dielectric grating near a guided mode resonance-with not only a strongly angle-dependent reflection phase, but also very high reflectance and low losses. Simulations show that by using such mirrors, high-quality-factor planar cavities can be designed that break all these textbook rules, leading to resonant modes that are slow, stopped or even backward-propagating in the in-plane direction. In particular, we demonstrate experimentally high-Q planar cavities whose resonance frequency is independent of in-plane wavevector-i.e., the resonant modes have zero in-plane group velocity, for one polarization but both in-plane directions. We discuss potential applications in various fields including lasers, quantum optics, and exciton-polariton condensation.

Two-dimensional grating for narrow-band filtering with large angular tolerances

A two-dimensional periodic sub-wavelength array of vertical dielectric cylinders on a glass substrate is studied numerically using three different electromagnetic approaches. It is shown that such structure can present a narrow-band spectral resonance characterized by large angular tolerances and 100% maximum in reflection. In particular, in a two-nanometer spectral bandwidth the reflectivity stays above 90% within angles of incidence exceeding 10 degrees for unpolarized light. Bloch modal analysis shows that these properties are due to the excitation of a hybrid mode that is created in the structure by a guided-like mode and a localized cavity mode. The first one is due to the collective effect of the array, while the second one comes from the mode(s) of a single step-index fiber.

Fano-like coupling between two oppositely enhanced processes by diffraction in a dielectric grating

Fano-like coupling was investigated extensively in plasmonic nanostructures, which is based on the interaction between the photonic and plasmonic resonance modes. Metallic photonic crystals consisting of waveguide metallic gratings are typical devices exhibiting strong Fano-coupling between waveguide and plasmon resonance modes. However, we demonstrate here that similar effects can also be achieved in waveguide dielectric grating structures. In this case, the broad-band strong optical extinction results from multifold diffraction processes, instead of the plasmonic absorption and scattering of light. The diffraction efficiency of the waveguide dielectric gratings was tuned by changing the duty cycle through adjusting the exposure time in interference lithography. Enhanced diffraction efficiency reduces the direct transmission while enhances the waveguide resonance mode, leading to a Fano-like coupling process.

Label-Free Biosensor Imaging on Photonic Crystal Surfaces

We review the development and application of nanostructured photonic crystal surfaces and a hyperspectral reflectance imaging detection instrument which, when used together, represent a new form of optical microscopy that enables label-free, quantitative, and kinetic monitoring of biomaterial interaction with substrate surfaces. Photonic Crystal Enhanced Microscopy (PCEM) has been used to detect broad classes of materials which include dielectric nanoparticles, metal plasmonic nanoparticles, biomolecular layers, and live cells. Because PCEM does not require cytotoxic stains or photobleachable fluorescent dyes, it is especially useful for monitoring the long-term interactions of cells with extracellular matrix surfaces. PCEM is only sensitive to the attachment of cell components within ~200 nm of the photonic crystal surface, which may correspond to the region of most interest for adhesion processes that involve stem cell differentiation, chemotaxis, and metastasis. PCEM has also demonstrated sufficient sensitivity for sensing nanoparticle contrast agents that are roughly the same size as protein molecules, which may enable applications in "digital" diagnostics with single molecule sensing resolution. We will review PCEM's development history, operating principles, nanostructure design, and imaging modalities that enable tracking of optical scatterers, emitters, absorbers, and centers of dielectric permittivity.

Transverse-mode selective resonant grating-mirrors for high power and high brightness emission

The finite angular spectral width of a 2D resonant grating mirror is adjusted to select the fundamental transverse mode of a laser and to filter out higher order modes. The selection principle is explained phenomenologically on a simplified 1D model. The 2D design is made so as to sustain the large field concentration in the grating slab-waveguide mirror, and the technology permitting to obtain the resonant reflection within the gain bandwidth of two types of laser is described. The blank experimental measurements by means of a white light supercontinuum are shown to match the targeted specifications on the resonance spectral position and angular width.

Transmission properties of slanted annular aperture arrays. Giant energy deviation over sub-wavelength distance

This paper is devoted to the study of the transmission properties of Slanted Annular Aperture Arrays made in perfectly conducting metal. More precisely, we consider the transmission based on the excitation of the cutoff-less guided mode, namely the TEM mode. We numerically and analytically demonstrate some intrinsic properties of the structure showing a transmission coefficient of at least 50% of an unpolarized incident beam independently of the illumination configuration (angle and plane of incidence). The central symmetry exhibited by the structure is analytically exploited to demonstrate the existence of a polarization state for which all the incident energy is transmitted through the sub-wavelength apertures when the eigenmode is excited, whatever are the illumination and the geometrical parameters. For this state of polarization, the laminar flow of the energy through the structure can exhibit giant deviation over very small distances. An example of energy flow deviation of 220° per wavelength is presented for illustration. The results presented in this paper could be considered as an important contribution to the understanding of the enhanced transmission phenomenon based on the excitation of guided modes.

Nanostructure arrays in free-space: optical properties and applications

Dielectric and metallic gratings have been studied for more than a century. Nevertheless, novel optical phenomena and fabrication techniques have emerged recently and have opened new perspectives for applications in the visible and infrared domains. Here, we review the design rules and the resonant mechanisms that can lead to very efficient light-matter interactions in sub-wavelength nanostructure arrays. We emphasize the role of symmetries and free-space coupling of resonant structures. We present the different scenarios for perfect optical absorption, transmission or reflection of plane waves in resonant nanostructures. We discuss the fabrication issues, experimental achievements and emerging applications of resonant nanostructure arrays.

Observation of the waveguide resonance in a periodically patterned high refractive index broadband antireflection coating

Grating waveguide structures have been prepared by the deposition of a high refractive index broadband antireflection coating onto a patterned fused silica substrate. Aluminum oxide and hafnium oxide as well as mixtures thereof have been used as coating materials. Optical reflection measurements combined with atomic force microscopy have been used to characterize the structures. Upon illumination with a TE wave, the best structure shows a narrow reflection peak located at 633 nm at an incidence angle of about 17°. The peak reflectance of that sample accounts for more than 89%. Off-resonance interference structures appear strongly suppressed in the spectrum between 450 and 800 nm because of the characteristics of the designed antireflection layer. The structure thus possesses a notch filter spectral characteristic in a broad spectral range.

Spatial differentiation of optical beams using phase-shifted Bragg grating

We present a theoretical study of a new application of the phase-shifted Bragg grating (PSBG) as an optical spatial differentiator operating in reflection. We demonstrate that the PSBG allows to calculate the first-order spatial derivative at oblique incidence and the second-order derivative at normal incidence. As an example, the differentiator is numerically shown to be able to convert an input 2D Gaussian beam into a 2D Hermite-Gaussian mode. We expect the proposed application to be useful for all-optical data processing.

Resonant-grating reflection extended to wide-band, large-aperture beams by waveguide-mode coalescence

The resonant reflection of a free-space beam from a slab waveguide grating is rendered high bandwidth and angularly robust by using a bimodal high index waveguide. A deep double-sided corrugation gives rise to the coalescence of the resonant reflection peaks resulting in a top-hat reflection spectrum. A low-cost waveguide technology based on solar cell amorphous silicon is demonstrated in the near infrared in a polarizer application.

Infrared spectroscopic imaging: the next generation

Infrared (IR) spectroscopic imaging seemingly matured as a technology in the mid-2000s, with commercially successful instrumentation and reports in numerous applications. Recent developments, however, have transformed our understanding of the recorded data, provided capability for new instrumentation, and greatly enhanced the ability to extract more useful information in less time. These developments are summarized here in three broad areas--data recording, interpretation of recorded data, and information extraction--and their critical review is employed to project emerging trends. Overall, the convergence of selected components from hardware, theory, algorithms, and applications is one trend. Instead of similar, general-purpose instrumentation, another trend is likely to be diverse and application-targeted designs of instrumentation driven by emerging component technologies. The recent renaissance in both fundamental science and instrumentation will likely spur investigations at the confluence of conventional spectroscopic analyses and optical physics for improved data interpretation. While chemometrics has dominated data processing, a trend will likely lie in the development of signal processing algorithms to optimally extract spectral and spatial information prior to conventional chemometric analyses. Finally, the sum of these recent advances is likely to provide unprecedented capability in measurement and scientific insight, which will present new opportunities for the applied spectroscopist.

High angular tolerance and reflectivity with narrow bandwidth cavity-resonator-integrated guided-mode resonance filter

Guided mode resonance filters (GMRFs) are a promising new generation of reflective narrow band filters, that combine structural simplicity with high efficiency. However their intrinsic poor angular tolerance and huge area limit their use in real life applications. Cavity-resonator-integrated guided-mode resonance filters (CRIGFs) are a new class of reflective narrow band filters. They offer in theory narrow-band high-reflectivity with a much smaller footprint than GMRF. Here we demonstrate that for tightly focused incident beams adapted to the CRIGF size, we can obtain simultaneously high spectral selecitivity, high reflectivity, high angular acceptance with large alignment tolerances. We demonstrate experimentally reflectivity above 74%, angular acceptance greater than ±4.2° for a narrow-band (1.4 nm wide at 847 nm) CRIGF.

Single-layer resonant-waveguide grating for polarization and wavelength selection in Yb:YAG thin-disk lasers

A single-layer resonant-waveguide grating consisting of a sub-wavelength grating coupler etched into a waveguide is proposed in order to achieve high polarization and high spectral selectivity inside an Yb:YAG thin-disk laser resonator. The designed structure was fabricated with the help of a Lloyd's-mirror interference lithography setup followed by reactive ion beam etching down to the desired grating groove depth. The wavelength and polarization dependent reflectivity is measured and compared to the design results. The behaviour of the device at higher temperatures is also investigated in the present work. The device is introduced as the end mirror of an Yb:YAG thin-disk laser cavity. Output powers of up to 123 W with a spectral bandwidth of about 0.5 nm (FWHM) is demonstrated in a multimode configuration (M2~6). In fundamental-mode operation (TEM00 with M2~1.1) 70 W of power with a spectral bandwidth of about 20 pm have been obtained. Moreover, the degree of linear polarization was measured to be higher than 99% for both multimode and fundamental mode operation.

Transmission, trapping and filtering of waves in periodically constrained elastic plates

The paper discusses properties of flexural waves in elastic plates constrained periodically by rigid pins. A structured interface consists of rigid pin platonic gratings parallel to each other. Although the gratings have the same periodicity, relative shifts in horizontal and vertical directions are allowed. We develop a recurrence algorithm for constructing reflection and transmission matrices required to characterize the filtering of plane waves by the structured interface with shifted gratings. The representations of scattered fields contain both propagating and evanescent terms. Special attention is given to the analysis of trapped modes which may exist within the system of rigid pin gratings. Analytical findings are accompanied by numerical examples for systems of two and three gratings. We show geometries containing three gratings in which transmission resonances have very high quality factors (around 35 000). We also show that controlled lateral shifts of three gratings can give rise to a transmission peak with a sharp central suppression region, akin to the phenomenon of electromagnetic-induced transparency.

Single-layer one-dimensional nonpolarizing guided-mode resonance filters under normal incidence

We demonstrate that properly designed one-dimensional guided-mode resonance filters (GMRFs) with only one grating layer can exhibit a nonpolarizing resonant filtering effect under normal incidence. A sinusoidal profile nonpolarizing GMRF is realized by photoinduced surface-relief grating formation on thin films of polymer-azobenzene complexes and subsequent atomic layer deposition, showing the feasibility of fabrication of such compact GMRFs.

Tunable, polarization independent, narrow-band filtering with one-dimensional crossed resonant gratings

We propose an optical component for widely tunable, narrow-band filtering. It takes advantage of the tunability properties, with respect to the angle of incidence, of guided-mode resonance filters. The intrinsic polarization sensitivity of the resonances is suppressed by exciting the modes through two identical, differently oriented one-dimensional gratings flanking a thick substrate. An example is provided that theoretically shows a polarization independent peak at 1.6 μm with a Q factor of 13,000 and a reflectivity greater than 99% at resonance, which is tunable over 100 nm. Finally, we discuss the fabrication limitations and conclude that the proposed configuration is realistic.

Plasmonic antiresonance through subwavelength hole arrays

It has been shown both experimentally and numerically that the phenomenon of extraordinary transmission through subwavelength hole arrays is generally associated with a drop in transmission located very close to it. Paradoxically, this antiresonant drop occurs at the wavelength that, at first glance, should provoke a resonant excitation of a surface plasmon propagating along the metallic surface of the screen. The present paper gives a theoretical demonstration of this phenomenon, which dispels the paradox. Our theory is supported by numerical calculations.

Widely tunable monolithic narrowband grating filter for near-infrared radiation

We propose a monolithic narrowband guided-mode grating filter in fused silica that is widely tunable in the near-IR wavelength region. Based on a recently demonstrated approach for a monolithic reflector comprising an encapsulated grating, we theoretically investigate such a device by means of rigorous modeling aimed at a narrow linewidth. It is demonstrated that upon a spatial variation of the filter's grating period its resonance wavelength can be tuned in a remarkably wide range of near-IR radiation with 800 nm<λ(res)< 1600 nm by translating the laser beam relative to the grating area. The filter performance in terms of linewidth and contrast is essentially preserved over the entire tuning interval.

Analysis of finite-sized guided-mode resonant gratings using the fast multipole boundary element method

Guided-mode resonant grating filters are dispersive devices that utilize resonance anomalies. When they are modeled as finite imperfect periodic structures, it is time-consuming to calculate their optical properties precisely, and huge computational memories are needed to accommodate the large analytical domain. This limits the numerical performance, and so existing reports, which use the conventional boundary element method, refer to structures with less than 100 periods. This paper shows that general optical properties and the impact of production error distributions can be calculated for guided-mode resonant grating filters with several hundred periods using the fast multipole boundary element method.

Whispering gallery modes and other cavity modes for perfect backscattering and blazing

We demonstrate the possibility to obtain perfect blazing both in Littrow and off-Littrow mountings using diffractive systems consisting of a plane metallic substrate and dielectric structures that can support cavity modes. The resonances are located at a relatively large distance between the metal and the dielectric structure, a condition that prevents the resonance increase of absorption. The high efficiency can be obtained in transverse electric or transverse magnetic polarization and at high incident angles. When cylindrical rods with circular cross-sections are used, the so-called whispering gallery modes can be used to provide the resonances, necessary for the blazing.

Large incident angle tolerance of guided-mode resonant gratings by light coupling via waveguide end faces

By designing and fabricating appropriate structures, guided-mode resonant gratings can be used as optical filters to attain extremely narrow bandwidths. This high performance makes it difficult to couple light into a waveguide via the grating, which demands extremely high mechanical accuracy to adjust the incident conditions. This paper shows both numerically and experimentally that the incident angle tolerance is significantly wider when the incident light is coupled into the waveguide through an end face rather than via the grating.

Nearly perfect Fano transmission resonances through nanoslits drilled in a metallic membrane

We report nearly perfect optical transmission (87%) through freestanding metallic gratings with narrow slits, as the experimental demonstration of the theoretical prediction by Porto et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 83, 2845 (1999)10.1103/PhysRevLett.83.2845]. In addition, we show that the Fano line shape of transmission spectra reveals the interplay between localized and propagating surface plasmon resonances, and allows us to determine the nonradiative losses. It provides the limits for the transmission efficiency and resonance quality factor. As an illustration, a mosaic of various bandpass filters has been achieved in a single membrane.

Dispersion engineering with leaky-mode resonant photonic lattices

We investigate the dispersion properties of leaky-mode resonance elements with emphasis on slow-light applications. Using particle swarm optimization, we design three exemplary bandpass leaky-mode devices. A single-layer silicon-on-insulator leaky-mode element shows a time-delay peak of ~8 ps at the resonance wavelength. A double membrane element exhibits an average delay of ~6 ps over ~0.75 nm spectral bandwidth with a relatively flat dispersion response. By cascading five double-membrane elements, we achieve an accumulative delay of ~30 ps with a very flat dispersion response over ~0.5 nm bandwidth. Thus, we show that delay elements based on leaky-mode resonance, by proper design, exhibit large amount of delay yet very flat dispersion over appreciable spectral bandwidths, making them potential candidates for optical buffers, delay lines, and switches.

Modal method for conical diffraction by slanted lamellar gratings

Slanted lamellar gratings made of dielectric materials are considered, used in conical diffraction mounts. We extend the modal method for slanted lamellar gratings from classical to conical incidence, develop fully generalized Fresnel matrices, and derive energy conservation relations for these matrices. Using the method, we verified a uniaxial crystal model for slanted lamellar gratings in a homogenization regime, examined the effects of grating symmetry on the maximum reflectance of Fano resonances, and showed that slanted lamellar gratings support Fano resonances despite the homogenization of their other optical properties.

Experimental demonstration of ultrasharp unpolarized filtering by resonant gratings at oblique incidence

The peaks in the reflectivity spectrum of waveguide gratings observed when the incident beam couples to a mode of the structure are promising features for many applications. However their weak angular tolerance and their strong polarization sensitivity, especially under oblique incidence, limit their interest in practice. These problems can be overcome by forming slow degenerate modes outside the usual high symmetry points of the Brillouin zone with a complex periodic pattern [Fehrembach, Appl. Phys. Lett. 86, 121105 (2005)]. We show experimentally that spectrally sharp, lambda/Deltalambda approximately 4000, polarization-independent, angularly tolerant optical resonances can be obtained by exciting these modes under oblique incidence.

Systematic study of the mirror effect in a poly-Si subwavelength periodic membrane

By using the equivalent eigenvalue equation of a waveguide grating, the mirror effect (Deltalambda/lambda>15%) with very high reflectivity (R>99%) based on guided-mode resonance (GMR) effects in a poly-Si subwavelength periodic membrane is obtained, and the reflection performance of the poly-Si subwavelength periodic membrane is systematically studied. It is shown that the equivalent eigenvalue equation of a waveguide grating can provide a solid starting point for designing the broadband grating with very high reflectivity. The physical mechanisms of broadband reflection of the strongly modulated waveguide grating structures are investigated theoretically and the important role of multiple GMRs for a broad reflection band is discussed in detail. By using the overlap of a resonance pair in which leaky waveguide modes TE0 and TE1 are excited by the strong first diffraction order, enhanced reflection occurs and a flat reflection band with high reflectivity can be achieved by adding a poly-Si thin film under the grating. The grating period, the grating thickness, and the layer thickness do not change the mirror effect except for the incident angle and the filling factor. A flat band with high reflectivity centered near 1.55 microm is designed to demonstrate this concept.

Leaky-mode assisted fluorescence extraction: application to fluorescence enhancement biosensors

Efficient recovery of light emitted by fluorescent molecules by employing photonic structures can result in high signal-to-noise ratio detection for biological applications including DNA microarrays, fluorescence microscopy and single molecule detection. By employing a model system comprised of colloidal quantum dots, we consider the physical basis of the extraction effect as provided by photonic crystals. Devices with different lattice symmetry are fabricated ensuring spectral and spatial coupling of quantum dot emission with leaky eigenmodes and the emission characteristics are studied using angle-resolved and angle-integrated measurements. Comparison with numerical calculations and lifetime measurements reveals that the enhancement occurs via resonant redirection of the emitted radiation. Comparison of various lattices reveals differences in the enhancement factor with a maximum enhancement factor approaching 220. We also demonstrate the first enhanced extraction biosensor that allows for over 20-fold enhancement of the fluorescence signal in detection of the cytokine TNF-alpha by a fluorescence sandwich immunoassay.

Wideband leaky-mode resonance reflectors: influence of grating profile and sublayers

We apply inverse numerical methods to design compact wideband reflectors in which a periodic silicon layer supports resonant leaky modes. Using particle swarm optimization to determine appropriate device thickness, period, and fill factors, we arrive at example reflector designs for both TE and TM polarized input light. As a properly configured grating profile provides added design freedom, we design reflectors with two and four subparts in the period. In TM polarization, a particular single-layer two-part reflector has 520 nm bandwidth whereas the four-part device reaches 600 nm bandwidth. In TE polarization, the corresponding numbers are 125 nm and 495 nm, respectively. We provide a qualitative explanation for the smaller TE-reflector bandwidth. We quantify the effects of deviation from the design parameters and compute the angular response of the elements. As the angle of incidence deviates from normal incidence, narrow transmission channels emerge in the response yielding a bandpass filter with low sidebands. The effects of adding a silica sublayer between a silicon substrate and the periodic silicon layer is investigated. It is found that a properly designed sublayer can extend the reflection bandwidth significantly.

Narrowband, polarization-independent free-space wave notch filter

A two-dimensional-corrugated-slab-waveguide add/drop filter providing 100% resonant reflection at 1.55 microm wavelength for both TE and TM polarizations with identical FWHM is designed. The fabricated device exhibits a reflectivity spectrum of more than 95% peak reflection for both polarizations at 1.537 microm. The coupling scheme involves the TE0 guided mode only; it is made relatively tolerant by means of a double-sided crossed grating.