1
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Yang JW, Peng TY, Clarke DDA, Bello FD, Chen JW, Yeh HC, Syong WR, Liang CT, Hess O, Lu YJ. Nanoscale Gap-Plasmon-Enhanced Superconducting Photon Detectors at Single-Photon Level. NANO LETTERS 2023; 23:11387-11394. [PMID: 37906586 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c01703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
With a growing demand for detecting light at the single-photon level in various fields, researchers are focused on optimizing the performance of superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs) by using multiple approaches. However, input light coupling for visible light has remained a challenge in the development of efficient SSPDs. To overcome these limitations, we developed a novel system that integrates NbN superconducting microwire photon detectors (SMPDs) with gap-plasmon resonators to improve the photon detection efficiency to 98% while preserving all detector performance features, such as polarization insensitivity. The plasmonic SMPDs exhibit a hot-belt effect that generates a nonlinear photoresponse in the visible range operated at 9 K (∼0.64Tc), resulting in a 233-fold increase in phonon-electron interaction factor (γ) compared to pristine SMPDs at resonance under CW illumination. These findings open up new opportunities for ultrasensitive single-photon detection in areas like quantum information processing, quantum optics, imaging, and sensing at visible wavelengths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Wei Yang
- Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Applied Physics, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Yu Peng
- Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Applied Physics, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Daniel D A Clarke
- School of Physics and CRANN Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2 D02 PN40, Ireland
| | - Frank Daniel Bello
- School of Physics and CRANN Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2 D02 PN40, Ireland
| | - Jia-Wern Chen
- Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Hao-Chen Yeh
- Department of Physics, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Ren Syong
- Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Te Liang
- Graduate Institute of Applied Physics, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
- Department of Physics, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Ortwin Hess
- School of Physics and CRANN Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2 D02 PN40, Ireland
- Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, SW7 2AZ London, United Kingdom
| | - Yu-Jung Lu
- Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Applied Physics, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
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2
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Petronella F, Madeleine T, De Mei V, Zaccagnini F, Striccoli M, D’Alessandro G, Rumi M, Slagle J, Kaczmarek M, De Sio L. Thermoplasmonic Controlled Optical Absorber Based on a Liquid Crystal Metasurface. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:49468-49477. [PMID: 37816211 PMCID: PMC10614192 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c09896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
Metasurfaces can be realized by organizing subwavelength elements (e.g., plasmonic nanoparticles) on a reflective surface covered with a dielectric layer. Such an array of resonators, acting collectively, can completely absorb the resulting resonant wavelength. Unfortunately, despite the excellent optical properties of metasurfaces, they lack the tunability to perform as adaptive optical components. To boost the utilization of metasurfaces and realize a new generation of dynamically controlled optical components, we report our recent finding based on the powerful combination of an innovative metasurface-optical absorber and nematic liquid crystals (NLCs). The metasurface consists of self-assembled silver nanocubes (AgNCs) immobilized on a 50 nm thick gold layer by using a polyelectrolyte multilayer as a dielectric spacer. The resulting optical absorbers show a well-defined reflection band centered in the near-infrared of the electromagnetic spectrum (750-770 nm), a very high absorption efficiency (∼60%) at the resonant wavelength, and an elevated photothermal efficiency estimated from the time constant value (34 s). Such a metasurface-based optical absorber, combined with an NLC layer, planarly aligned via a photoaligned top cover glass substrate, shows homogeneous NLC alignment and an absorption band photothermally tunable over approximately 46 nm. Detailed thermographic studies and spectroscopic investigations highlight the extraordinary capability of the active metasurface to be used as a light-controllable optical absorber.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Petronella
- National
Research Council of Italy, Institute of
Crystallography, CNR-IC, Rome Division, Area della Ricerca Roma 1 Strada Provinciale 35d,
n. 9, 00010 Montelibretti
(RM), Italy
| | - Tristan Madeleine
- School
of Mathematical Science, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
| | - Vincenzo De Mei
- Department
of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies Sapienza, University of Rome, 00185 Latina, Italy
| | - Federica Zaccagnini
- Department
of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies Sapienza, University of Rome, 00185 Latina, Italy
| | - Marinella Striccoli
- National
Research Council of Italy, Institute of
Chemical and Physical Processes CNR-IPCF Bari Division, Via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Giampaolo D’Alessandro
- School
of Mathematical Science, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
| | - Mariacristina Rumi
- Materials
and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio 45433-7707, United States
| | - Jonathan Slagle
- Materials
and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio 45433-7707, United States
| | - Malgosia Kaczmarek
- School
of Physics and Astronomy, University of
Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United
Kingdom
| | - Luciano De Sio
- Department
of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies Sapienza, University of Rome, 00185 Latina, Italy
- National
Research Council of Italy, Licryl, Institute
NANOTEC, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
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Lai R, Chen H, Zhou Z, Yi Z, Tang B, Chen J, Yi Y, Tang C, Zhang J, Sun T. Design of a Penta-Band Graphene-Based Terahertz Metamaterial Absorber with Fine Sensing Performance. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:1802. [PMID: 37763965 PMCID: PMC10536418 DOI: 10.3390/mi14091802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents a new theoretical proposal for a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) terahertz metamaterial absorber with five narrow absorption peaks. The overall structure comprises a sandwich stack consisting of a gold bottom layer, a silica medium, and a single-layer patterned graphene array on top. COMSOL simulation represents that the five absorption peaks under TE polarization are at fI = 1.99 THz (95.82%), fⅡ = 6.00 THz (98.47%), fⅢ = 7.37 THz (98.72%), fⅣ = 8.47 THz (99.87%), and fV = 9.38 THz (97.20%), respectively, which is almost consistent with the absorption performance under TM polarization. In contrast to noble metal absorbers, its absorption rates and resonance frequencies can be dynamically regulated by controlling the Fermi level and relaxation time of graphene. In addition, the device can maintain high absorptivity at 0~50° in TE polarization and 0~40° in TM polarization. The maximum refractive index sensitivity can reach SV = 1.75 THz/RIU, and the maximum figure of merit (FOM) can reach FOMV = 12.774 RIU-1. In conclusion, our design has the properties of dynamic tunability, polarization independence, wide-incident-angle absorption, and fine refractive index sensitivity. We believe that the device has potential applications in photodetectors, active optoelectronic devices, sensors, and other related fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runing Lai
- Joint Laboratory for Extreme Conditions Matter Properties, Tianfu Institute of Research and Innovation, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Friendly Energy Materials, Key Laboratory of Manufacturing Process Testing Technology of Ministry of Education, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China; (R.L.); (H.C.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Hao Chen
- Joint Laboratory for Extreme Conditions Matter Properties, Tianfu Institute of Research and Innovation, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Friendly Energy Materials, Key Laboratory of Manufacturing Process Testing Technology of Ministry of Education, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China; (R.L.); (H.C.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Zigang Zhou
- Joint Laboratory for Extreme Conditions Matter Properties, Tianfu Institute of Research and Innovation, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Friendly Energy Materials, Key Laboratory of Manufacturing Process Testing Technology of Ministry of Education, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China; (R.L.); (H.C.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Zao Yi
- Joint Laboratory for Extreme Conditions Matter Properties, Tianfu Institute of Research and Innovation, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Friendly Energy Materials, Key Laboratory of Manufacturing Process Testing Technology of Ministry of Education, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China; (R.L.); (H.C.); (Z.Z.)
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jishou University, Jishou 416000, China
| | - Bin Tang
- School of Microelectronics and Control Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, China;
| | - Jing Chen
- College of Electronic and Optical Engineering, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210023, China;
| | - Yougen Yi
- College of Physics and Electronics, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China;
| | - Chaojun Tang
- College of Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China;
| | - Jianguo Zhang
- Department of Physics, Jinzhong University, Jinzhong 030619, China;
| | - Tangyou Sun
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Precision Navigation Technology and Application, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, China
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4
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Chen JA, Qin Y, Niu Y, Mao P, Song F, Palmer RE, Wang G, Zhang S, Han M. Broadband and Spectrally Selective Photothermal Conversion through Nanocluster Assembly of Disordered Plasmonic Metasurfaces. NANO LETTERS 2023; 23:7236-7243. [PMID: 37326318 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c01328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Plasmonic metasurfaces have been realized for efficient light absorption, thereby leading to photothermal conversion through nonradiative decay of plasmonic modes. However, current plasmonic metasurfaces suffer from inaccessible spectral ranges, costly and time-consuming nanolithographic top-down techniques for fabrication, and difficulty of scale-up. Here, we demonstrate a new type of disordered metasurface created by densely packing plasmonic nanoclusters of ultrasmall size on a planar optical cavity. The system either operates as a broadband absorber or offers a reconfigurable absorption band right across the visible region, resulting in continuous wavelength-tunable photothermal conversion. We further present a method to measure the temperature of plasmonic metasurfaces via surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), by incorporating single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) as an SERS probe within the metasurfaces. Our disordered plasmonic system, generated by a bottom-up process, offers excellent performance and compatibility with efficient photothermal conversion. Moreover, it also provides a novel platform for various hot-electron and energy-harvesting functionalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-An Chen
- National Laboratory of Solid-State Microstructures and Collaborative Innovation Centre of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yuyuan Qin
- National Laboratory of Solid-State Microstructures and Collaborative Innovation Centre of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yubiao Niu
- Nanomaterials Lab, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Bay Campus, Swansea University, Swansea SA1 8EN, U.K
- We Are Nium Ltd. Research Complex at Harwell (RCaH), Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, OX11 0FA, U.K
| | - Peng Mao
- National Laboratory of Solid-State Microstructures and Collaborative Innovation Centre of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Fengqi Song
- National Laboratory of Solid-State Microstructures and Collaborative Innovation Centre of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Richard E Palmer
- Nanomaterials Lab, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Bay Campus, Swansea University, Swansea SA1 8EN, U.K
| | - Guanghou Wang
- National Laboratory of Solid-State Microstructures and Collaborative Innovation Centre of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Shuang Zhang
- Department of Physics, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Min Han
- National Laboratory of Solid-State Microstructures and Collaborative Innovation Centre of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
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5
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Liu Z, Liu G, Liu X, Chen J, Tang C. Spatial and frequency-selective optical field coupling absorption in an ultra-thin random metasurface. OPTICS LETTERS 2023; 48:1586-1589. [PMID: 37221716 DOI: 10.1364/ol.486017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Simplified thin-film structures with the capability of spatial and frequency-selective optical field coupling and absorption are desirable for nanophotonics. Herein, we demonstrate the configuration of a 200-nm-thick random metasurface formed by refractory metal nanoresonators, showing near-unity absorption (absorptivity > 90%) covering the visible and near-infrared range (0.380-1.167 µm). Importantly, the resonant optical field is observed to be concentrated in different spatial areas according to different frequencies, paving a feasible way to artificially manipulate spatial coupling and optical absorption via the spectral frequency. The methods and conclusions derived in this work are applicable throughout a wide energy range and hold applications for frequency-selective nanoscale optical field manipulation.
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