Controlling the dynamics of spontaneous emission from quantum dots by photonic crystals

Slow waves in locally resonant metamaterials line defect waveguides

Many efforts have been devoted to wave slowing, as it is essential, for instance, in analog signal computing and is one prerequisite for increased wave/matter interactions. Despite the interest of many communities, researches have mostly been conducted in optics, where wavelength-scaled structured composite media are promising candidates for compact slow light components. Yet their structural scale prevents them from being transposed to lower frequencies. Here, we propose to overcome this limitation using the deep sub-wavelength scale of locally resonant metamaterials. We experimentally show, in the microwave regime, that introducing coupled resonant defects in such metamaterials creates sub-wavelength waveguides in which wave propagation exhibit reduced group velocities. We qualitatively explain the mechanism underlying this slow wave propagation and demonstrate how it can be used to tune the velocity, achieving group indices as high as 227. We conclude by highlighting the three beneficial consequences of our line defect slow wave waveguides: (1) the sub-wavelength scale making it a compact platform for low frequencies (2) the large group indices that together with the extreme field confinement enables efficient wave/matter interactions and (3) the fact that, contrarily to other approaches, slow wave propagation does not occur at the expense of drastic bandwidth reductions.

Quantum dot emission modulation using piezoelectric photonic crystal MEMS resonators

Quantum dots (QDs) integration into photonic devices requires varied approaches to control and modulate their emission. We demonstrate voltage-tunable PC structures with integrated QDs over suspended piezoelectric aluminum nitride thin film resonators that modulate PC enhancement at MHz frequencies. When the piezoelectric device is actuated at its resonant mechanical frequency, the extracted QD emission direction is likewise modulated via the optical resonant frequency of the PC. Modulation uses nanometer-scale mechanical displacements, offering the potential for greater switching speed and improved mechanical robustness that is not subject to the effects of stiction with a scalable fabrication approach.

Controlling Plasmon-Enhanced Fluorescence via Intersystem Crossing in Photoswitchable Molecules

By harnessing photoswitchable intersystem crossing (ISC) in spiropyran (SP) molecules, active control of plasmon-enhanced fluorescence in the hybrid systems of SP molecules and plasmonic nanostructures is achieved. Specifically, SP-derived merocyanine (MC) molecules formed by photochemical ring-opening reaction display efficient ISC due to their zwitterionic character. In contrast, ISC in quinoidal MC molecules formed by thermal ring-opening reaction is negligible. The high ISC rate can improve fluorescence quantum yield of the plasmon-modified spontaneous emission, only when the plasmonic electromagnetic field enhancement is sufficiently high. Along this line, extensive photomodulation of fluorescence is demonstrated by switching the ISC in MC molecules at Au nanoparticle aggregates, where strongly enhanced plasmonic hot spots exist. The ISC-mediated plasmon-enhanced fluorescence represents a new approach toward controlling the spontaneous emission of fluorophores near plasmonic nanostructures, which expands the applications of active molecular plasmonics in information processing, biosensing, and bioimaging.

Transpiration-Inspired Fabrication of Opal Capillary with Multiple Heterostructures for Multiplex Aptamer-Based Fluorescent Assays

In this work we report a method for the fabrication of opal capillary with multiple heterostructures for aptamer-based assays. The method is inspired by plant transpiration. During the fabrication, monodisperse SiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) self-assemble in a glass capillary, with the solvent gradually evaporating from the top end of the capillary. By a simple change of the colloid solution that wicks through the capillary, multiple heterostructures can be easily prepared inside the capillary. On the surface of the SiO₂ NPs, polydopamine is coated for immobilization of aminomethyl-modified aptamers. The aptamers are used for fluorescent detection of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and thrombin. Owing to fluorescence enhancement effect of the photonic heterstructures, the fluorescent signal for detection is amplified up to 40-fold. The limit of detection is 32 μM for ATP and 8.1 nM for thrombin. Therefore, we believe this method is promising for the fabrication of analytical capillary devices for point-of-care testing.

Dynamic spontaneous emission control of an optical emitter coupled to plasmons in strained graphene

Spontaneous emission control of an optical emitter is critical for many applications, such as in the fields of sensing, integrated photonics and quantum optics. Integrating optical emitters with a mechanical system can provide an avenue for strain sensors as well. Here, the dynamic spontaneous emission modification of an emitter coupled to graphene by uniaxial strain is demonstrated. Our results show that the emission rate can be controlled by tuning the strain of graphene, which depends on the polarized orientation of the emitter. More specifically, the decay rate can be enhanced for several times if the emitter is polarized perpendicular to graphene under strain. Azimuthal angle dependent oscillation of decay rate exists for the emitter polarized parallel to the graphene. Moreover, the controllable decay of the emitter comes from the anisotropic plasmons excitation in strained graphene, which is verified by the corresponding isofrequency contours of plasmons. The strain engineering provides a new platform for dynamic spontaneous emission modulation of emitters coupled with graphene, which opens up intriguing possibilities for the design of strain sensors and quantum devices.

Atomic Mechanism of Hybridization-Dependent Surface Reconstruction with Tailored Functionality in Hexagonal Multiferroics

The broken symmetry along with anomalous defect structures and charging conditions at multiferroics surface can alter both crystal structures and electronic configurations, bringing in emergent physical properties. Extraordinary surface states are induced into original mutually coupled order parameters in such strongly correlated oxides, which flourish in diverse properties but remain less explored. Here, we report the peculiar surface ferroelectric states and reconfigurable functionalities driven by the relaxation of surface and consequent changes in O 2p and Y 4d orbital (p-d) hybridization within a representative hexagonal multiferroics, YMnO₃. An unprecedented surface reconstruction is achieved by tailored p-d hybridization coupling with in-plane oxygen vacancies, which is atomically revealed on the basis of the advantages of state-of-the-art aberration-corrected (scanning) transmission electron microscopy. Further ab initio density functional theory calculations verify the key roles of in-plane oxygen vacancies in modulating polarization properties and electronic structure, which should be regarded as the atomic multiferroic element. This surface configuration is found to induce tunable functionalities, such as surface ferromagnetism and conductivity. Meanwhile, the controversial origin of improper ferroelectricity that is unexpectedly free from critical size has also been atomically unraveled. Our findings provide new insights into the design and implementation of surface chemistry devices by simply controlling the oxygen stoichiometry, greatly advance our understandings of surface science in strongly correlated oxides, and enable exciting innovations and new technological functionality paradigms.

Demonstration of fluorescence enhancement via Bloch surface waves in all-polymer multilayer structures

An all-polymer photonic structure constituted by a distributed Bragg reflector topped with an ultrathin fluorescent polymer film has been studied. A Bloch surface wave resonance has been exploited to improve pumping efficiency. A strongly polarization and angle dependent fluorescence signal is found with respect to the light pumping beam and the emitted wavelength. Matching the most favorable condition for the pump coupling and the collection geometry, the signal obtained from the structure appears to be two orders of magnitude larger than the one of the bare emitting film.

Emission from quantum-dot high-β microcavities: transition from spontaneous emission to lasing and the effects of superradiant emitter coupling

Measured and calculated results are presented for the emission properties of a new class of emitters operating in the cavity quantum electrodynamics regime. The structures are based on high-finesse GaAs/AlAs micropillar cavities, each with an active medium consisting of a layer of InGaAs quantum dots (QDs) and the distinguishing feature of having a substantial fraction of spontaneous emission channeled into one cavity mode (high β-factor). This paper demonstrates that the usual criterion for lasing with a conventional (low β-factor) cavity, that is, a sharp non-linearity in the input-output curve accompanied by noticeable linewidth narrowing, has to be reinforced by the equal-time second-order photon autocorrelation function to confirm lasing. The paper also shows that the equal-time second-order photon autocorrelation function is useful for recognizing superradiance, a manifestation of the correlations possible in high-β microcavities operating with QDs. In terms of consolidating the collected data and identifying the physics underlying laser action, both theory and experiment suggest a sole dependence on intracavity photon number. Evidence for this assertion comes from all our measured and calculated data on emission coherence and fluctuation, for devices ranging from light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and cavity-enhanced LEDs to lasers, lying on the same two curves: one for linewidth narrowing versus intracavity photon number and the other for g(2)(0) versus intracavity photon number.

Silicon nanocrystal-based photonic crystal slabs with broadband and efficient directional light emission

Light extraction from a thin planar layer can be increased by introducing a two-dimensional periodic pattern on its surface. This structure, the so-called photonic crystal (PhC) slab, then not only enhances the extraction efficiency of light but can direct the extracted emission into desired angles. Careful design of the structures is important in order to have a spectral overlap of the emission with extraction (leaky) modes. We show that by fabricating PhC slabs with optimized dimensions from silicon nanocrystals (SiNCs) active layers, the extraction efficiency of vertical light emission from SiNCs at a particular wavelength can be enhanced ∼ 11 times compared to that of uncorrugated SiNCs-rich layer. More importantly, increased light emission can be obtained in a broad spectral range and, simultaneously, the extracted light can stay confined within relatively narrow angle around the normal to the sample plane. We demonstrate experimentally and theoretically that the physical origin of the enhancement is such that light originating from SiNCs first couples to leaky modes of the PhCs and is then efficiently extracted into the surrounding.

Mechanism for Hall conductance of two-band systems against decoherence

The Kubo formula expresses a linear response of the quantum system to weak classical fields. Previous studies showed that the environment degrades the quantum Hall conductance. By studying the dynamics of dissipative two-band systems, in this paper we find that the formation of system-environment bound states is responsible for the Hall conductance immune to the effect of the environment. The bound states can form only when the system-environment couplings are below a threshold. Our results may be of both theoretical and experimental interest in exploring dissipative topological insulators in realistic situations, and may open new perspectives for designing active quantum Hall devices working in realistic environments.

Boson Sampling with Single-Photon Fock States from a Bright Solid-State Source

A boson-sampling device is a quantum machine expected to perform tasks intractable for a classical computer, yet requiring minimal nonclassical resources as compared to full-scale quantum computers. Photonic implementations to date employed sources based on inefficient processes that only simulate heralded single-photon statistics when strongly reducing emission probabilities. Boson sampling with only single-photon input has thus never been realized. Here, we report on a boson-sampling device operated with a bright solid-state source of single-photon Fock states with high photon-number purity: the emission from an efficient and deterministic quantum dot-micropillar system is demultiplexed into three partially indistinguishable single photons, with a single-photon purity 1-g^{(2)}(0) of 0.990±0.001, interfering in a linear optics network. Our demultiplexed source is between 1 and 2 orders of magnitude more efficient than current heralded multiphoton sources based on spontaneous parametric down-conversion, allowing us to complete the boson-sampling experiment faster than previous equivalent implementations.

Enhanced Extraction of Silicon-Vacancy Centers Light Emission Using Bottom-Up Engineered Polycrystalline Diamond Photonic Crystal Slabs

Silicon vacancy (SiV) centers are optically active defects in diamond. The SiV centers, in contrast to nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers, possess narrow and efficient luminescence spectrum (centered at ≈738 nm) even at room temperature, which can be utilized for quantum photonics and sensing applications. However, most of light generated in diamond is trapped in the material due to the phenomenon of total internal reflection. In order to overcome this issue, we have prepared two-dimensional photonic crystal slabs from polycrystalline diamond thin layers with high density of SiV centers employing bottom-up growth on quartz templates. We have shown that the spectral overlap between the narrow light emission of the SiV centers and the leaky modes extracting the emission into almost vertical direction (where it can be easily detected) can be obtained by controlling the deposition time. More than 14-fold extraction enhancement of the SiV centers photoluminescence was achieved compared to an uncorrugated sample. Computer simulation confirmed that the extraction enhancement originates from the efficient light-matter interaction between light emitted from the SiV centers and the photonic crystal slab.

Hierarchical Materials Design by Pattern Transfer Printing of Self-Assembled Binary Nanocrystal Superlattices

We demonstrate the fabrication of hierarchical materials by controlling the structure of highly ordered binary nanocrystal superlattices (BNSLs) on multiple length scales. Combinations of magnetic, plasmonic, semiconducting, and insulating colloidal nanocrystal (NC) building blocks are self-assembled into BNSL membranes via the liquid-interfacial assembly technique. Free-standing BNSL membranes are transferred onto topographically structured poly(dimethylsiloxane) molds via the Langmuir-Schaefer technique and then deposited in patterns onto substrates via transfer printing. BNSLs with different structural motifs are successfully patterned into various meso- and microstructures such as lines, circles, and even three-dimensional grids across large-area substrates. A combination of electron microscopy and grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) measurements confirm the ordering of NC building blocks in meso- and micropatterned BNSLs. This technique demonstrates structural diversity in the design of hierarchical materials by assembling BNSLs from NC building blocks of different composition and size by patterning BNSLs into various size and shape superstructures of interest for a broad range of applications.

Direct Patterning of Colloidal Quantum-Dot Thin Films for Enhanced and Spectrally Selective Out-Coupling of Emission

We report on a template-stripping method for the direct surface patterning of colloidal quantum-dot thin films to produce highly luminescent structures with feature sizes less than 100 nm. Through the careful design of high quality bull's-eye gratings we can produce strong directional beaming (10° divergence) with up to 6-fold out-coupling enhancement of spontaneous emission in the surface-normal direction. A transition to narrow single-mode lasing is observed in these same structures at thresholds as low as 120 μJ/cm². In addition, we demonstrate that these structures can be fabricated on flexible substrates. Finally, making use of the size-tunable character of colloidal quantum dots, we demonstrate spectrally selective out-coupling of light from mixed quantum-dot films. Our results provide a straightforward route toward significantly improved optical properties of colloidal quantum-dot assemblies.

Fluorescence Enhancement on Large Area Self-Assembled Plasmonic-3D Photonic Crystals

Discontinuous plasmonic-3D photonic crystal hybrid structures are fabricated in order to evaluate the coupling effect of surface plasmon resonance and the photonic stop band. The nanostructures are prepared by silver sputtering deposition on top of hydrophobic 3D photonic crystals. The localized surface plasmon resonance of the nanostructure has a symbiotic relationship with the 3D photonic stop band, leading to highly tunable characteristics. Fluorescence enhancements of conjugated polymer and quantum dot based on these hybrid structures are studied. The maximum fluorescence enhancement for the conjugated polymer of poly(5-methoxy-2-(3-sulfopropoxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene) potassium salt by a factor of 87 is achieved as compared with that on a glass substrate due to the enhanced near-field from the discontinuous plasmonic structures, strong scattering effects from rough metal surface with photonic stop band, and accelerated decay rates from metal-coupled excited state of the fluorophore. It is demonstrated that the enhancement induced by the hybrid structures has a larger effective distance (optimum thickness ≈130 nm) than conventional plasmonic systems. It is expected that this approach has tremendous potential in the field of sensors, fluorescence-imaging, and optoelectronic applications.

High efficiency quasi-three level thin film laser enabled on a sinusoidal grating substrate

The excitation and emission properties of optical materials can be adjusted by nanostructures and to achieve high optical efficiency in the optically pump laser, especially for lasers with short absorption length and high pump threshold. We present and theoretically investigate a Yb-doped thin film on a 1D grating structure in this paper. High reflectivity at the pump and emission wavelength are realized simultaneously and in terms of the guided-mode resonance theory, the local field of high reflected light is enhanced which will increase the absorption of associated laser wavelength. We analyze parameters of the nanostructure in detail based on rigorous coupled-wave theory and an appropriate structure is decided. Finally, we demonstrate that this designed structure can effectively improve the optical efficiency of optically pump solid state laser.

Tunable enhanced spontaneous emission in plasmonic waveguide cladded with liquid crystal and low-index metamaterial

The control and enhancement of the spontaneous emission (SE) of emitters embedded in subwavelength structures are fundamentally interesting and of practical interest. For example, in plasmonic lasers and on-chip single photon sources, a large SE rate and the active modulation of SE over a very broad spectral band are highly desired functionalities. In this paper, we demonstrate by an explicit theoretical calculation that a plasmonic waveguide cladded with liquid crystals (LCs) and low-index metamaterials can give rise to an enhancement in the intrinsic SE rate γ₀ of more than two orders of magnitude. Furthermore, by varying the refractive index of the LC cladding, thereby changing the density of states of the surface plasmons, the enhanced SE rate can be modulated over a very large range, e.g., from 131γ₀ to 327γ₀. In general, the modulation range increases with the anisotropy in the refractive index of the LC, while for a fixed range of modulation, the SE rate is larger with lower cladding indices. These results for active modulation and enhanced SE may find application in enabling low-threshold plasmonic nanolasers and tunable on-chip single photon sources.

Polymer photonic microstructures for quantum applications and sensing

We present modelling results for efficient coupling of nanodiamonds containing single colour centres to polymer structures on distributed Bragg reflectors. We explain how hemispherical and super-spherical structures redirect the emission of light into small numerical apertures. Coupling efficiencies of up to 68.5% within a numerical aperture of 0.34 are found. Further, we show how Purcell factors up to 4.5 can be achieved for wavelength scale hemispheres coated with distributed Bragg reflectors. We conclude with an experimental proposal for the realisation of these structures.

Inhibited/enhanced fluorescence of embedded fluorescent defects by manipulation of spontaneous emission based on photonic stopband

We demonstrate inhibition and enhancement of fluorescence of embedded fluorescent defects in colloidal crystals incorporated by two-photon polymerization.

Bloch Surface Wave-Coupled Emission at Ultra-Violet Wavelengths

The interaction of fluorophores with nearby metallic structures is now an active area of research. Dielectric photonic structures offer some advantages over plasmonic structures, namely small energy losses and less quenching. We describe a dielectric one-dimensional photonic crystal (1DPC), which supports Bloch surface waves (BSWs) from 280 to 440 nm. This BSW structure is a quartz slide coated with alternating layers of SiO2 and Si3N4. We show that this structure displays BSWs and that the near-UV fluorophore, 2-aminopurine (2-AP), on the top surface of the structure couples with the BSWs. Fluorophores do not have to be inside the structure for coupling and show a narrow angular distribution, with an angular separation of wavelengths. The Bloch wave-coupled emission (BWCE) radiates through the dielectric layer. These BSW structures, with useful wavelength range for detection of intrinsic protein and cofactor fluorescence, provide opportunities for novel optical configurations for bioassays with surface-localized biomolecules and for optical imaging using the coupled emission.

Cavity assisted emission of single, paired and heralded photons from a single quantum dot device

The photon emission into different spatial directions of a quantum dot in a micropillar cavity is theoretically analyzed. We propose two types of photon emission statistics from a single quantum light device: (i) single photon emission into the axial, strong coupling direction and a two-photon emission into the lateral, weak coupling direction, as well as (ii) the simultaneous use of both emission directions for the temporally ordered generation of two photons within a defined time-bin constituting a heralded single photon source. Our results open up exciting perspectives for solid state based quantum light sources, which can be generalized to any quantum emitter-microcavity system featuring spatially distinct emission channels between the resonator and unconfined modes.

OCT imaging with temporal dispersion induced intense and short coherence laser source

Lower coherence length and higher intensity are two indispensable requirements on the light source for high resolution and large penetration depth OCT imaging. While tremendous interest is being paid on engineering various laser sources to enlarge their bandwidth and hence lowering the coherence length, here we demonstrate another approach by employing strong temporal dispersion onto the existing laser source. Cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) cells with suitable dispersive slope at the edge of 1-D organic photonic band gap have been designed to provide maximum reduction in coherence volume while maintaining the intensity higher than 50%. As an example, the coherence length of a multimode He-Ne laser is reduced by more than 730 times.

Resonantly Enhanced Emission from a Luminescent Nanostructured Waveguide

Controlling the characteristics of photon emission represents a significant challenge for both fundamental science and device technologies. Research on microcavities, photonic crystals, and plasmonic nanocavities has focused on controlling spontaneous emission by way of designing a resonant structure around the emitter to modify the local density of photonic states. In this work, we demonstrate resonantly enhanced emission using luminescent nanostructured waveguide resonance (LUNAR). Our concept is based on coupling between emitters in the luminescent waveguide and a resonant waveguide mode that interacts with a periodic nanostructure and hence outcouples via diffraction. We show that the enhancement of resonance emission can be controlled by tuning the design parameters. We also demonstrate that the enhanced emission is attributable to the accelerated spontaneous emission rate that increases the probability of photon emission in the resonant mode, accompanied by enhanced the local density of photonic states. This study demonstrates that nanostructured luminescent materials can be designed to exhibit functional and enhanced emission. We anticipate that our concept will be used to improve the performance of a variety of photonic and optical applications ranging from bio/chemical sensors to lighting, displays and projectors.

Emission wavelength tuning of fluorescence by fine structural control of optical metamaterials with Fano resonance

We demonstrated fine emission wavelength tuning of quantum dot (QD) fluorescence by fine structural control of optical metamaterials with Fano resonance. An asymmetric-double-bar (ADB), which was composed of only two bars with slightly different bar lengths, was used to obtain Fano resonance in the optical region. By changing the short bar length of ADB structures with high dimensional accuracy in the order of 10 nm, resonant wavelengths of Fano resonance were controlled from 1296 to 1416 nm. Fluorescence of QDs embedded in a polymer layer on ADB metamaterials were modified due to coupling to Fano resonance and fine tuning from 1350 to 1376 nm was observed. Wavelength tuning of modified fluorescence was reproduced by analysis using absorption peaks of Fano resonance. Tuning range of modified fluorescence became narrow, which was interpreted by a simple Gaussian model and resulted from comparable FWHM in QD fluorescence and Fano resonant peaks. The results will help the design and fabrication of metamaterial devices with fluorophores such as light sources and biomarkers.

Revealing the radiative and non-radiative relaxation rates of the fluorescent dye Atto488 in a λ/2 Fabry-Pérot-resonator by spectral and time resolved measurements

Using a Fabry-Pérot-microresonator with controllable cavity lengths in the λ/2-regime, we show the controlled modification of the vibronic relaxation dynamics of a fluorescent dye molecule in the spectral and time domain. By altering the photonic mode density around the fluorophores we are able to shape the fluorescence spectrum and enhance specifically the probability of the radiative transitions from the electronic excited state to distinct vibronic excited states of the electronic ground state. Analysis and correlation of the spectral and time resolved measurements by a theoretical model and a global fitting procedure allows us to reveal quantitatively the spectrally distributed radiative and non-radiative relaxation dynamics of the respective dye molecule under ambient conditions at the ensemble level.

Excited-State Dynamics in Colloidal Semiconductor Nanocrystals

Colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals have attracted continuous worldwide interest over the last three decades owing to their remarkable and unique size- and shape-, dependent properties. The colloidal nature of these nanomaterials allows one to take full advantage of nanoscale effects to tailor their optoelectronic and physical–chemical properties, yielding materials that combine size-, shape-, and composition-dependent properties with easy surface manipulation and solution processing. These features have turned the study of colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals into a dynamic and multidisciplinary research field, with fascinating fundamental challenges and dazzling application prospects. This review focuses on the excited-state dynamics in these intriguing nanomaterials, covering a range of different relaxation mechanisms that span over 15 orders of magnitude, from a few femtoseconds to a few seconds after photoexcitation. In addition to reviewing the state of the art and highlighting the essential concepts in the field, we also discuss the relevance of the different relaxation processes to a number of potential applications, such as photovoltaics and LEDs. The fundamental physical and chemical principles needed to control and understand the properties of colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals are also addressed.

Tunable fluorescence enhancement based on bandgap-adjustable 3D Fe3O4 nanoparticles

Great progress has been made in fluorescence-based detection utilizing solid state enhanced substrates in recent years. However, it is still difficult to achieve reliable substrates with tunable enhancement factors. The present work shows liquid fluorescence enhanced substrates consisting of suspensions of Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs), which can assemble 3D photonic crystal under the external magnetic field. The photonic bandgap induced by the equilibrium of attractive magnetic force and repulsive electrostatic force between adjacent Fe3O4 NPs is utilized to enhance fluorescence intensity of dye molecules (including R6G, RB, Cy5, DMTPS-DCV) in a reversible and controllable manner. The results show that a maximum of 12.3-fold fluorescence enhancement is realized in the 3D Fe3O4 NP substrates without the utilization of metal particles for PCs/DMTPS-DCV (1.0 × 10(-7) M, water fraction (f w) = 90%).

Short-range ordered photonic structures of lamellae-forming diblock copolymers for excitation-regulated fluorescence enhancement

Photonic crystals can be represented by periodic nanostructures with alternating refractive indices, which create artificial stop bands with the appearance of colors. In this regard, nanodomains of block copolymers and the corresponding structural colors have been intensively studied in the past. However, the practical application of photonic crystals of block copolymers has been limited to a large degree because of the presence of large defects and grain boundaries in the nanodomains of block copolymers. The present study focuses on the alternative opportunity of short-range ordered nanodomains of block copolymers for fluorescence enhancement, which also has a direct relevance to the development of fluorescence sensors or detectors. The enhancement mechanism was found to be interconnected with the excitation process rather than the alternation of the decay kinetics. In particular, we demonstrate that randomly oriented, but regular grains of lamellae of polystyrene-block-polyisoprene, PS-b-PI, diblock copolymers and their blend with PS homopolymers can behave as Bragg mirrors to induce multiple reflections of the excitation source inside the photonic structures. This process in turn significantly increases the effective absorption of the given fluorophores inside the polymeric photonic structures to amplify the fluorescence signal.

Tic-Tac-Toe Binary Lattices from the Interfacial Self-Assembly of Branched and Spherical Nanocrystals

The self-organization of nanocrystals has proven to be a versatile route to achieve increasingly sophisticated structures of materials, where the shape and properties of individual particles impact the final functionalities. Recent works have addressed this topic by combining various shapes to achieve more complex arrangements of particles than are possible in single-component samples. However, the ability to create intricate architectures over large regions by exploiting the shape of multiply branched nanocrystals to host a second component remains unexplored. Here, we show how the concave shape of a branched nanocrystal, the so-called octapod, is able to anchor a sphere. The two components self-assemble into a locally ordered monolayer consisting of an intercalated square lattice of octapods and spheres, which is reminiscent of the "tic-tac-toe" game. These tic-tac-toe domains form through an interfacial self-assembly that occurs by the dewetting of a hexane layer containing both particle types. By varying the experimental conditions and performing molecular dynamics simulations, we show that the ligands coating the octapods are crucial to the formation of this structure. We find that the tendency of an octapod to form an interlocking-type structure with a second octapod strongly depends on the ligand shell of the pods. Breaking this tendency by ligand exchange allows the octapods to assemble into a more relaxed configuration, which is able to form a lock-and-key-type structure with a sphere, when they have a suitable size ratio. Our findings provide an example of a more versatile use of branched nanocrystals in self-assembled functional materials.

Complete Coherent Control of a Quantum Dot Strongly Coupled to a Nanocavity

Strongly coupled quantum dot-cavity systems provide a non-linear configuration of hybridized light-matter states with promising quantum-optical applications. Here, we investigate the coherent interaction between strong laser pulses and quantum dot-cavity polaritons. Resonant excitation of polaritonic states and their interaction with phonons allow us to observe coherent Rabi oscillations and Ramsey fringes. Furthermore, we demonstrate complete coherent control of a quantum dot-photonic crystal cavity based quantum-bit. By controlling the excitation power and phase in a two-pulse excitation scheme we achieve access to the full Bloch sphere. Quantum-optical simulations are in good agreement with our experiments and provide insight into the decoherence mechanisms.

Preservation Macroscopic Entanglement of Optomechanical Systems in non-Markovian Environment

We investigate dynamics of an optomechanical system under the non-Markovian environment. In the weak optomechanical single-photon coupling regime, we provide an analytical approach fully taking into account the non-Markovian memory effects. When the cavity-bath coupling strength crosses a certain threshold, an oscillating memory state for the classical cavity field is formed. Due to the existence of the non-decay optical bound state, a nonequilibrium optomechanical thermal entanglement is preserved even without external driving laser. Our results provide a potential usage to generate and protect entanglement via non-Markovian environment.

Colloidal quantum dot lasers built on a passive two-dimensional photonic crystal backbone

We report the room-temperature lasing action from two-dimensional photonic crystal (PC) structures composed of a passive Si3N4 backbone with an over-coat of CdSe/CdS/ZnS colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) for optical gain. When optically excited, devices lased in dual PC band-edge modes, with the modal dominance governed by the thickness of the CQD over-layer. The demonstrated laser platform should have an impact on future photonic integrated circuits as the on-chip coupling between active and passive components is readily achievable.

Coherent Control of the Optical Absorption in a Plasmonic Lattice Coupled to a Luminescent Layer

We experimentally demonstrate the coherent control, i.e., phase-dependent enhancement and suppression, of the optical absorption in an array of metallic nanoantennas covered by a thin luminescent layer. The coherent control is achieved by using two collinear, counterpropagating, and phase-controlled incident waves with wavelength matching the absorption spectrum of dye molecules coupled to the array. Symmetry arguments shed light on the relation between the relative phase of the incident waves and the excitation efficiency of the optical resonances of the system. This coherent control is associated with a phase-dependent distribution of the electromagnetic near fields in the structure which enables a significant reduction of the unwanted dissipation in the metallic structures.

Quantum phase transition in a coupled two-level system embedded in anisotropic three-dimensional photonic crystals

The quantum phase transition (QPT) describes a sudden qualitative change of the macroscopic properties mapped from the eigenspectrum of a quantum many-body system. It has been studied intensively in quantum systems with the spin-boson model, but it has barely been explored for systems in coupled spin-boson models. In this paper, we study the QPT with coupled spin-boson models consisting of coupled two-level atoms embedded in three-dimensional anisotropic photonic crystals. The dynamics of the system is derived exactly by means of the Laplace transform method, which has been proven to be equivalent to the dissipationless non-Markovian dynamics. Drawing on methods for analyzing the ground state, we obtain the phase diagrams through two exact critical equations and two QPTs are found: one QPT is that from the phase without one bound state to the phase with one bound state and another is that from one phase with the bound state having one eigenvalue to another phase where the bound state has two eigenvalues. Our analytical results also suggest a way of control to overcome the effect of decoherence by engineering the spectrum of the reservoirs to approach the non-Markovian regime and to form the bound state of the whole system for quantum devices and quantum statistics.

The local density of optical states of a metasurface

While metamaterials are often desirable for near-field functions, such as perfect lensing, or cloaking, they are often quantified by their response to plane waves from the far field. Here, we present a theoretical analysis of the local density of states near lattices of discrete magnetic scatterers, i.e., the response to near field excitation by a point source. Based on a pointdipole theory using Ewald summation and an array scanning method, we can swiftly and semi-analytically evaluate the local density of states (LDOS) for magnetoelectric point sources in front of an infinite two-dimensional (2D) lattice composed of arbitrary magnetoelectric dipole scatterers. The method takes into account radiation damping as well as all retarded electrodynamic interactions in a self-consistent manner. We show that a lattice of magnetic scatterers evidences characteristic Drexhage oscillations. However, the oscillations are phase shifted relative to the electrically scattering lattice consistent with the difference expected for reflection off homogeneous magnetic respectively electric mirrors. Furthermore, we identify in which source-surface separation regimes the metasurface may be treated as a homogeneous interface, and in which homogenization fails. A strong frequency and in-plane position dependence of the LDOS close to the lattice reveals coupling to guided modes supported by the lattice.

Mono- to few-layered graphene oxide embedded randomness assisted microcavity amplified spontaneous emission source

The realization of optoelectronic devices using two-dimensional materials such as graphene and its intermediate product graphene oxide (GO) is extremely challenging owing to the zero band gap of the former. Here, a novel amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) system based on a GO-embedded all-dielectric one-dimensional photonic crystal (1DPhC) micro-resonator is presented. The mono- to few-layered GO sheet is inserted within a microcavity formed by two 5-bilayered SiO2/SnO2 Bragg reflectors. Significantly enhanced photoluminescence (PL) emission of GO embedded in 1DPhC is explicated by studying the electric field confined within the micro-resonator using the transfer matrix method. The inherent randomness, due to fabrication limitations, in the on-average periodic 1DPhC is exploited to further enhance the PL of the optically active micro-resonator. The 1DPhC and randomness assisted field confinement reduces the ASE threshold of the mono- to few-layered weak emitter making the realization of an ASE source feasible. Consequently, ASE at the microcavity resonance and at the low-frequency band-edge of photonic stop-band is demonstrated. Variation of the detection angle from 5° to 30°, with respect to the sample surface normal allows reallocation of the defect mode ASE peak over a spectral range of 558-542 nm, making the GO-incorporated 1DPhC a novel and attractive system for integrated optic applications.

The effect of fluorophore incorporation on fluorescence enhancement in colloidal photonic crystals

Diffusion-swelling dye incorporation method improves photonic structure-induced emission enhancement.

Beta-glucan quantification by fluorescence analysis using photonic crystals

In this study, 1DPhCs were utilized as a Bragg reflection mirror. Gold was deposited on 1DPhC films. 1DPhCs with Au were used for quantitative determination of beta-glucan.

Fourier finite element modeling of light emission in waveguides: 2.5-dimensional FEM approach

We present a Fourier finite element modeling of light emission of dipolar emitters coupled to infinitely long waveguides. Due to the translational symmetry, the three-dimensional (3D) coupled waveguide-emitter system can be decomposed into a series of independent 2D problems (2.5D), which reduces the computational cost. Moreover, the reduced 2D problems can be extremely accurate, compared to its 3D counterpart. Our method can precisely quantify the total emission rates, as well as the fraction of emission rates into different modal channels for waveguides with arbitrary cross-sections. We compare our method with dyadic Green's function for the light emission in single mode metallic nanowire, which yields an excellent agreement. This method is applied in multi-mode waveguides, as well as multi-core waveguides. We further show that our method has the full capability of including dipole orientations, as illustrated via a rotating dipole, which leads to unidirectional excitation of guide modes. The 2.5D Finite Element Method (FEM) approach proposed here can be applied for various waveguides, thus it is useful to interface single-photon single-emitter in nano-structures, as well as for other scenarios involving coupled waveguide-emitters.

Full solution processed mesostructured optical resonators integrating colloidal semiconductor quantum dots

Herein we show a solution based synthetic pathway to obtain a resonant optical cavity with embedded colloidal semiconductor quantum dots (CSQDs). The optical cavity pore network, surrounded by two dense Bragg mirrors, was designed ad hoc to selectively host the quantum dots, while uncontrolled infiltration of those in the rest of the layered structure was prevented. Coupling between the optical resonant modes of the host and the natural emission of the embedded nanoparticles gives rise to the fine tuning of the luminescence spectrum extracted from the ensemble. Our approach overcomes, without the need for an encapsulating agent and exclusively by solution processing, the difficulties that arise from the low thermal and chemical stability of the CSQDs. It opens the route to achieving precise control over their location and hence over the spectral properties of light emitted by these widely employed nanomaterials. Furthermore, as the porosity of the cavity is preserved after infiltration, the system remains responsive to environmental changes, which provides an added value to the proposed structure.

Free-Standing Optically Switchable Chiral Plasmonic Photonic Crystal Based on Self-Assembled Cellulose Nanorods and Gold Nanoparticles

Photonic crystals incorporating with plasmonic nanoparticles have recently attracted considerable attention due to their novel optical properties and potential applications in future subwavelength optics, biosensing and data storage device. Here we demonstrate a free-standing chiral plasmonic film composed of entropy-driven self-co-assembly of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and rod-like cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). The CNCs-GNPs composite films not only preserve the photonic ordering of the CNCs matrix but also retain the plasmonic resonance of GNPs, leading to a distinct plasmon-induced chiroptical activity and a strong resonant plasmonic-photonic coupling that is confirmed by the stationary and ultrafast transient optical response. Switchable optical activity can be obtained by either varying the incidence angle of lights, or by taking advantage of the responsive feature of the CNCs matrix. Notably, an angle-dependent plasmon resonance in chiral nematic hybrid film has been observed for the first time, which differs drastically from that of the GNPs embed in three-dimensional photonic crystals, revealing a close relation with the structure of the host matrix. The current approach for fabricating device-scale, macroscopic chiral plasmonic materials from abundant CNCs with robust chiral nematic matrix may enable the mass production of functional optical metamaterials.

Anomalous Fluorescence Enhancement from Double Heterostructure 3D Colloidal Photonic Crystals--A Multifunctional Fluorescence-Based Sensor Platform

Augmenting fluorescence intensity is of vital importance to the development of chemical and biochemical sensing, imaging and miniature light sources. Here we report an unprecedented fluorescence enhancement with a novel architecture of multilayer three-dimensional colloidal photonic crystals self-assembled from polystyrene spheres. The new technique uses a double heterostructure, which comprises a top and a bottom layer with a periodicity overlapping the excitation wavelength (E) of the emitters, and a middle layer with a periodicity matching the fluorescence wavelength (F) and a thickness that supports constructive interference for the excitation wavelength. This E-F-E double heterostructure displays direction-dependent light trapping for both excitation and fluorescence, coupling the modes of photonic crystal with multiple-beam interference. The E-F-E double heterostructure renders an additional 5-fold enhancement to the extraordinary FL amplification of Rhodamine B in monolithic E CPhCs, and 4.3-fold acceleration of emission dynamics. Such a self-assembled double heterostructue CPhCs may find significant applications in illumination, laser, chemical/biochemical sensing, and solar energy harvesting. We further demonstrate the multi-functionality of the E-F-E double heterostructure CPhCs in Hg (II) sensing.

Efficient single photon source based on μ-fibre-coupled tunable microcavity

Efficient and fast on-demand single photon sources have been sought after as critical components of quantum information science. We report an efficient and tunable single photon source based on an InAs quantum dot (QD) embedded in a photonic crystal cavity coupled with a highly curved μ-fibre. Exploiting evanescent coupling between the μ-fibre and the cavity, a high collection efficiency of 23% and Purcell-enhanced spontaneous emissions are observed. In our scheme, the spectral position of a resonance can be tuned by as much as 1.5 nm by adjusting the contact position of the μ-fibre, which increases the spectral coupling probability between the QD and the cavity mode. Taking advantage of the high photon count rate and the tunability, the collection efficiencies and the decay rates are systematically investigated as a function of the QD-cavity detuning.

Cavity-based architecture to preserve quantum coherence and entanglement

Quantum technology relies on the utilization of resources, like quantum coherence and entanglement, which allow quantum information and computation processing. This achievement is however jeopardized by the detrimental effects of the environment surrounding any quantum system, so that finding strategies to protect quantum resources is essential. Non-Markovian and structured environments are useful tools to this aim. Here we show how a simple environmental architecture made of two coupled lossy cavities enables a switch between Markovian and non-Markovian regimes for the dynamics of a qubit embedded in one of the cavity. Furthermore, qubit coherence can be indefinitely preserved if the cavity without qubit is perfect. We then focus on entanglement control of two independent qubits locally subject to such an engineered environment and discuss its feasibility in the framework of circuit quantum electrodynamics. With up-to-date experimental parameters, we show that our architecture allows entanglement lifetimes orders of magnitude longer than the spontaneous lifetime without local cavity couplings. This cavity-based architecture is straightforwardly extendable to many qubits for scalability.

Fluorescence Spectroscopy with Metal-Dielectric Waveguides

We describe a hybrid metal-dielectric waveguide structures (MDWs) with numerous potential applications in the biosciences. These structures consist of a thin metal film coated with a dielectric layer. Depending on the thickness of the dielectric layer, the modes can be localized near the metal, within the dielectric, or at the top surface of the dielectric. The optical modes in a metal-dielectric waveguide can have either S (TE) or P (TM) polarization. The dielectric spacer avoids the quenching, which usually occurs for fluorophores within about 5 nm from the metal. Additionally, the resonances display a sharp angular dependence and can exhibit several hundred-fold increases in intensity (E²) at the silica-air interface relative to the incident intensity. Fluorophores placed on top of the silica layer couple efficiently with the metal, resulting in a sharp angular distribution of emission through the metal and down from the bottom of the structure. This coupling occurs over large distances to several hundred nm away from the metal and was found to be consistent with simulations of the reflectivity of the metal-dielectric waveguides. Remarkably, for some silica thicknesses, the emission is almost completely coupled through the structure with little free-space emission away from the metal-dielectric waveguide. The efficiency of fluorophore coupling is related to the quality of the resonant modes sustained by the metal-dielectric waveguide, resulting in coupling of most of the emission through the metal into the underlying glass substrates. Metal-dielectric waveguides also provide a method to resolve the emission from surface-bound fluorophores from the bulk-phase fluorophores. Metal-dielectric waveguides are simple to fabricate for large surface areas, the resonance wavelength can be adjusted by the dielectric thickness, and the silica surface is suitable for coupling to biomolecules. Metal-dielectric waveguides can have numerous applications in diagnostics and high-throughput proteomics or DNA analysis.