Localized Nanoresonator Mode in Plasmonic Microcavities

Single-mode lasing by tailoring the excitation of localized surface plasmon resonances to whispering gallery modes in a microring laser

Cavity mode manipulation in lasers is urgent for the stable single-mode operation of a microring laser. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate the plasmonic whispering gallery mode microring laser for strong coupling between local plasmonic resonances and whispering gallery modes (WGM) on the microring cavity to achieve pure single-mode lasing. The proposed structure is fabricated based on integrated photonics circuits consisting of gold nanoparticles deposited on a single microring. Additionally, our numerical simulation provides deep insight into the interaction between the gold nanoparticles and WGM modes. The manufacture of microlasers for the advancement of lab-on-a-chip devices and all-optical detection of ultra-low analysts may benefit from our findings.

WS2-Flake-Sandwiched, Au-Nanodisk-Enabled High-Quality Fabry-Pérot Nanoresonators for Photoluminescence Modulation

The increasing demand for compact and high-performance photonic devices drives the development of optical resonators with nanoscale sizes and ultrahigh quality factors. Fabry-Pérot (FP) resonators, the most widely employed optical resonators, can support ultrahigh quality factors in the simple structure, which is particularly attractive for applications in lasers, filters, and ultrasensitive sensors. However, the construction of FP resonators with both nanoscale sizes and high quality factors has still faced challenges. Herein we demonstrate the construction of FP nanoresonators out of single Au nanodisks (NDs) and a Au film, with a WS₂ flake sandwiched in between. The atomically flat surfaces of the WS₂ flake and Au NDs benefit mirror alignment and boost the quality factor up to 76. The nanoresonators can support FP resonances with different mode orders in the visible region. The optical properties and formation mechanisms of the high-quality FP modes are systematically studied. The FP modes are further hybridized with excitons in the WS₂ flake spacer, enabling the modulation of the WS₂ indirect band gap emissions. Our study combines the advantages of plasmonic nanoparticles and FP resonators, providing a promising platform for the development of compact nanophotonic devices such as tunable nanolasers, smart sensors, and photonic-circuit elements.

Quantum analysis of luminescence of an exciton in a meso-cavity

Interaction of cavity modes with an exciton in a meso-cavity (the structure supporting several cavity modes separated by an energy interval comparable to Rabi-splitting of an exciton and cavity modes) has been analyzed using a quantum-mechanical approach. Simultaneous interaction of an exciton and several cavity modes results in few novel effects such as ladder-like increase of the exciton population in the system, quantum beating and non-monotonic dependence of the ground polariton state in the system on the pumping.

Surface contribution to the electric dipole moment near an interface, and its effect on power emission

When a small particle is located near an interface, its electric dipole moment can be induced by laser irradiation. Since the laser light reflects at the interface, this leads to an interference pattern, and the dipole moment is determined by this total field. In addition, the dipole radiation emitted by the particle reflects at the interface, and this field adds to the external field. In this fashion, the dipole moment is altered by the field it emits, and as such the emitted radiation modifies its own source. We have derived a simple expression to take this back action into account. We introduce two resolvent functions, Υ_‖(h) and Υ_⊥(h), which depend on the dimensionless distance h between the particle and the interface. These functions exhibit resonance features due to the underlying back-action mechanism. It is shown that two, one, or no resonance peaks appear in the induced dipole moment. Whether these peaks are present depends on the parameters under consideration. The power emitted by the particle depends on h due to interference between the source radiation and the reflected radiation. With the surface induced contribution to the dipole moment included, an additional h dependence appears. This dependence shows the resonance peaks, which may be amenable to experimental observation.

A single bottom facet outperforms random multifacets in a nanoparticle-on-metallic-mirror system

Highly efficient nanoparticle-on-metallic-mirror (NPOM) systems with a large gap size exhibiting good plasmonic enhancement are desirable for numerous practical applications. Careful, explicit design optimization strategies are required for preparing NPOMs and it is especially important in utilizing spherical nanoparticles. In this work, a new design blueprint for evaluating the role of random facets in spherical nanoparticles was investigated in detail to realize optimal NPOMs. We found that a precise single facet positioned at the nanoparticle's cavity outperformed multiple random facets due to the gap mode contribution. Differences and changes in the plasmonic modes were interpreted with the help of three-dimensional surface charge density mappings. A high-performance, single, bottom-faceted NPOM device with a large gap size (example 20 nm) was realized having 80-50% facet design, resulting in excellent gap mode enhancement. We succeeded in fabricating single bottom-faceted NPOMs (the non-facet region had a smooth spherical surface) with a large-scale unidirectionality (2 cm × 1.5 cm). Simulations and experimental characterizations of these components displayed excellent agreement. Our highly efficient NPOM design with a large gap size(s) enables interesting practical applications in the field of quantum emitters, energy devices, fuel generation and plasmon chemistry.