Manipulating surface plasmon polaritons with nanostructured TCO metamaterials

ABSTRACT

We propose and implement a new concept for three-layered transparent conducting oxides (TCO) based nanostructured metamaterial. It is based on alternating AZO, GZO and PbS layers. In particular, we propose a novel metamaterial for surface plasmon polariton guiding. Specific example of AZO/GZO/PbS metamaterial and its dispersion engineering are studied in details. The general original concept of metamaterials based on inclusions of the additional layers is discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Optics at surfaces
• metamaterials

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tatjana Gric

Dr Tatjana Gric's research career has been focused on the investigation of waveguide devices (waveguide modulators, filters, etc.), namely on proposing their electrodynamical analysis. Applied research includes the design of microwave frequency selective structures, waveguide modulators, and filters. Fundamental research is primarily concerned with developing rigorous computational methods for the electrodynamical analysis of the waveguide structures. Another major goal of her studies is plasmonics as the examination of the interaction between electromagnetic field and free electrons in a metal. The optically active nanostructures have been simulated and their fundamental photonic properties have been explored. Moreover, the broad scope of research carried out by Dr Gric has included investigations into the new fascinating properties of novel materials. Dr Gric is involved in the development of unusual materials and structures that can manipulate the flow of light in ways that are useful in optical sensing, photovoltaics, solid state lighting, fiber optics and other applications. Dr Gric also has a record of effective teaching in the rank of Associate Professor. She has been conducting independent research projects for the past eight years. Dr Gric has published extensively in her field of investigation with more than 35 peer-reviewed papers in top journals in physics, electrodynamics, and optics. It is worth noting that her recent publication rate is getting even higher with her being the first author.

Aleksej Trofimov

Aleksej Trofimov has completed his Master degree in the year 2017 from Vilnius Gediminas Technical University. He is a PhD student of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University. His primary study field is currently nanostructured metamaterials and their application.

Ortwin Hess

Ortwin Hess holds the Leverhulme Chair in Metamaterials in the Blackett Laboratory (Department of Physics) at Imperial College London and is co-director of the Centre for Plasmonics & Metamaterials . His research bridges nanoplasmonics, semiconductor and metamaterials physics with nano- and quantum photonics. Hess pioneered active nanoplasmonics and optical metamaterials with quantum gain for which he has been awarded the 2016 Royal Society Rumford Medal. He discovered the ‘trapped-rainbow’ principle (broadband ultraslow light), had the idea of stopped-light lasing and made defining contributions to the fields of spatio-temporal dynamics and control of semiconductor lasers by delayed feedback and quantum chaos, ultraslow light in metamaterials, complex quantum dot photonics and photonic crystals and strong coupling in nanoplasmonics.