1
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Wang P, Krasavin AV, Liu L, Jiang Y, Li Z, Guo X, Tong L, Zayats AV. Molecular Plasmonics with Metamaterials. Chem Rev 2022; 122:15031-15081. [PMID: 36194441 PMCID: PMC9562285 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Molecular plasmonics, the area which deals with the interactions between surface plasmons and molecules, has received enormous interest in fundamental research and found numerous technological applications. Plasmonic metamaterials, which offer rich opportunities to control the light intensity, field polarization, and local density of electromagnetic states on subwavelength scales, provide a versatile platform to enhance and tune light-molecule interactions. A variety of applications, including spontaneous emission enhancement, optical modulation, optical sensing, and photoactuated nanochemistry, have been reported by exploiting molecular interactions with plasmonic metamaterials. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive overview of the developments of molecular plasmonics with metamaterials. After a brief introduction to the optical properties of plasmonic metamaterials and relevant fabrication approaches, we discuss light-molecule interactions in plasmonic metamaterials in both weak and strong coupling regimes. We then highlight the exploitation of molecules in metamaterials for applications ranging from emission control and optical modulation to optical sensing. The role of hot carriers generated in metamaterials for nanochemistry is also discussed. Perspectives on the future development of molecular plasmonics with metamaterials conclude the review. The use of molecules in combination with designer metamaterials provides a rich playground both to actively control metamaterials using molecular interactions and, in turn, to use metamaterials to control molecular processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Modern Optical Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310027, China.,Department of Physics and London Centre for Nanotechnology, King's College London, Strand, LondonWC2R 2LS, U.K.,Jiaxing Key Laboratory of Photonic Sensing & Intelligent Imaging, Jiaxing314000, China.,Intelligent Optics & Photonics Research Center, Jiaxing Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Jiaxing314000, China
| | - Alexey V Krasavin
- Department of Physics and London Centre for Nanotechnology, King's College London, Strand, LondonWC2R 2LS, U.K
| | - Lufang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Modern Optical Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310027, China
| | - Yunlu Jiang
- Department of Physics and London Centre for Nanotechnology, King's College London, Strand, LondonWC2R 2LS, U.K
| | - Zhiyong Li
- Jiaxing Key Laboratory of Photonic Sensing & Intelligent Imaging, Jiaxing314000, China.,Intelligent Optics & Photonics Research Center, Jiaxing Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Jiaxing314000, China
| | - Xin Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Modern Optical Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310027, China.,Jiaxing Key Laboratory of Photonic Sensing & Intelligent Imaging, Jiaxing314000, China.,Intelligent Optics & Photonics Research Center, Jiaxing Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Jiaxing314000, China
| | - Limin Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Modern Optical Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310027, China
| | - Anatoly V Zayats
- Department of Physics and London Centre for Nanotechnology, King's College London, Strand, LondonWC2R 2LS, U.K
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2
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Herman J, Harmata P, Czerwiński M, Strzeżysz O, Pytlarczyk M, Zając M, Kula P. Synthesis, Mesomorphism and the Optical Properties of Alkyl-deuterated Nematogenic 4-[(2,6-Difluorophenyl)ethynyl]biphenyls. MATERIALS 2021; 14:ma14164653. [PMID: 34443176 PMCID: PMC8399011 DOI: 10.3390/ma14164653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The synthesis and characterization of new deuterated liquid crystal (LC) compounds based on phenyl tolane core is described in this paper. The work presents an alternative molecular approach to the conventional LC design. Correlations between molecular structure and mesomorphic and optical properties for compounds which are alkyl-hydrogen terminated and alkyl-deuterium, have been drawn. The compounds are characterized by mass spectrometry (electron ionization) analysis and infrared spectroscopy. They show enantiotropic nematic behavior in a broad temperature range, confirmed by a polarizing thermomicroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Detailed synthetic procedures are attached. Synthesized compounds show a significantly reduced absorption in the near-infrared (NIR) and medium-wavelength infrared (MWIR) radiation range, and stand as promising components of medium to highly birefringent liquid crystalline mixtures.
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3
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Bosch M, Shcherbakov MR, Won K, Lee HS, Kim Y, Shvets G. Electrically Actuated Varifocal Lens Based on Liquid-Crystal-Embedded Dielectric Metasurfaces. NANO LETTERS 2021; 21:3849-3856. [PMID: 33900774 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c00356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Compact varifocal lenses are essential to various imaging and vision technologies. However, existing varifocal elements typically rely on mechanically actuated systems with limited tuning speeds and scalability. Here, an ultrathin electrically controlled varifocal lens based on a liquid crystal (LC) encapsulated dielectric metasurface is demonstrated. Enabled by the field-dependent LC anisotropy, applying a voltage bias across the LC cell modifies the local phase response of the silicon meta-atoms, in turn modifying the metalens focal length. In a numerical implementation, a voltage-actuated metalens with continuous zoom and up to 20% total focal shift is demonstrated. The LC-based metalens concept is experimentally verified through the design and fabrication of a bifocal metalens that facilitates high-contrast switching between two discrete focal lengths upon application of a 9.8 Vpp voltage bias. Owing to their ultrathin thickness and adaptable design, LC-driven dielectric metasurfaces open new opportunities for compact varifocal lensing in a diversity of modern imaging applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Bosch
- Department of Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Maxim R Shcherbakov
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Kanghee Won
- Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), Samsung Electronics, Co. Ltd., Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do 16678, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong-Seok Lee
- Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), Samsung Electronics, Co. Ltd., Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do 16678, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Kim
- Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), Samsung Electronics, Co. Ltd., Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do 16678, Republic of Korea
| | - Gennady Shvets
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
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4
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Gorkunov MV, Kasyanova IV, Artemov VV, Ezhov AA, Mamonova AV, Simdyankin IV, Palto SP. Liquid-Crystal Metasurfaces Self-Assembled on Focused Ion Beam Patterned Polymer Layers: Electro-Optical Control of Light Diffraction and Transmission. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:30815-30823. [PMID: 32510915 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c07320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembling of liquid-crystal metasurfaces on polymer layers patterned by a focused ion beam manifests itself in distinctly colored optical transmission, as light from certain spectral bands is efficiently diffracted by the periodic liquid crystal modulations. We explore the metasurface electro-optics by applying voltage across the liquid crystal to straighten its director distribution and reroute the diffracted light into the direct transmission. We show that the characteristic times of switching from the diffracting to the transmitting state can be decreased down to a millisecond by increasing the driving voltage up to 6-8 V, while the main part of the relaxation back into the periodically deformed diffracting state occurs within about a few milliseconds, i.e., by an order of magnitude faster than the relaxation of the analogous homogeneous electro-optical liquid crystal cell. We explain the profound dynamics in terms of superimposed exponential modes governed by an interplay of the metasurface geometric parameters, the liquid crystal viscosity, and elasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxim V Gorkunov
- Shubnikov Institute of Crystallography, Federal Scientific Research Centre "Crystallography and Photonics", Russian Academy of Sciences, 119333 Moscow, Russia
- National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Moscow Engineering Physics Institute), 115409 Moscow, Russia
| | - Irina V Kasyanova
- Shubnikov Institute of Crystallography, Federal Scientific Research Centre "Crystallography and Photonics", Russian Academy of Sciences, 119333 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir V Artemov
- Shubnikov Institute of Crystallography, Federal Scientific Research Centre "Crystallography and Photonics", Russian Academy of Sciences, 119333 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander A Ezhov
- Shubnikov Institute of Crystallography, Federal Scientific Research Centre "Crystallography and Photonics", Russian Academy of Sciences, 119333 Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Physics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Lomonosov Moscow State University Quantum Technology Centre, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alena V Mamonova
- Shubnikov Institute of Crystallography, Federal Scientific Research Centre "Crystallography and Photonics", Russian Academy of Sciences, 119333 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ivan V Simdyankin
- Shubnikov Institute of Crystallography, Federal Scientific Research Centre "Crystallography and Photonics", Russian Academy of Sciences, 119333 Moscow, Russia
| | - Serguei P Palto
- Shubnikov Institute of Crystallography, Federal Scientific Research Centre "Crystallography and Photonics", Russian Academy of Sciences, 119333 Moscow, Russia
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5
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Zhu W, Fan Y, Li C, Yang R, Yan S, Fu Q, Zhang F, Gu C, Li J. Realization of a near-infrared active Fano-resonant asymmetric metasurface by precisely controlling the phase transition of Ge 2Sb 2Te 5. NANOSCALE 2020; 12:8758-8767. [PMID: 32091041 DOI: 10.1039/c9nr09889e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
A metasurface is one of the most effectual platforms for the manipulation of complex optical fields. One of the current challenges in the field is to develop active or reconfigurable functionalities to extend its operation band which is limited by its intrinsic resonant nature. Here we demonstrate a kind of active Fano-resonant asymmetric metasurface in the near-infrared (NIR) region with heterostructures made of a layer of asymmetric split-ring resonators and a thin layer of phase-change material (PCM). In the asymmetric metasurface, significant tunability in the frequency, Q-factor and strength of the Fano resonance are all achieved by precisely controlling the phase transition of the contained PCM Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST), together with changing the geometric asymmetry of the split-ring resonators. Moreover, we provide a complete transition process of the optical properties for GST and an optimized modulation on the active Fano-resonant metasurface. Our approach to dynamically control a Fano-resonant metasurface paves the way to realizing various active photonic meta-devices involving PCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
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6
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Chen L, Sun L, Dong H, Mou N, Zhang Y, Li Q, Jiang X, Zhang L. Near-field imaging of the multi-resonant mode induced broadband tunable metamaterial absorber. RSC Adv 2020; 10:5146-5151. [PMID: 35498277 PMCID: PMC9049137 DOI: 10.1039/c9ra10233g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Metamaterial absorbers with tunability have broad prospects for mid-infrared absorption applications. While various methods have been proposed to control absorption, how to analyse and present the physical image of absorption mechanism in depth is still expected and meaningful. Here, we present experimental spatial near-field distributions of a multi-resonant mode induced broadband tunable metamaterial absorber by using near-field optical microscopy. The absorber is constructed by a metal double-sized unit cell and a metallic mirror separated by a thin Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) spacer. To clearly obtain the physical images, we used a hybrid unit cell consisting of four square resonators to produce two absorption peaks at 7.8 μm and 8.3 μm. The resonance central-wavelength exhibits a redshift while switching the GST thin film from amorphous to crystalline phase. The near-field amplitude and phase optical responses of the absorber are directly observed at absorption frequencies when GST is in both phases, respectively. This work will pave the way for the fundamental science field and inspire potential applications in optical tunable absorption control. Metamaterial absorbers with tunability have broad prospects for mid-infrared absorption applications.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Materials for High-Power Laser, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201800 China .,Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 China
| | - Liaoxin Sun
- National Laboratory for Infrared Physics, Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 200083 China
| | - Hongxing Dong
- Key Laboratory of Materials for High-Power Laser, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201800 China
| | - Nanli Mou
- Key Laboratory of Materials for High-Power Laser, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201800 China .,Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 China
| | - Yaqiang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Materials for High-Power Laser, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201800 China .,Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 China
| | - Qisong Li
- Key Laboratory of Materials for High-Power Laser, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201800 China
| | - Xiongwei Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Materials for High-Power Laser, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201800 China
| | - Long Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Materials for High-Power Laser, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201800 China
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7
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Kowerdziej R, Wróbel J, Kula P. Ultrafast electrical switching of nanostructured metadevice with dual-frequency liquid crystal. Sci Rep 2019; 9:20367. [PMID: 31889047 PMCID: PMC6937344 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55656-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Shortening of switching times of various soft-matter-based tunable metamaterials is one of the key challenges to improve the functionality of modern active devices. Here we show an effective strategy in the evolution of soft-matter-based tunable metamaterials that makes possible acceleration of both on and off switching processes by using a dual-frequency liquid crystal mixture. The frequency-convertible dielectric anisotropy of the dual-frequency mixture enabled us to create a fast-response in-plane switching metasurface at the nanoscale, which could be tuned by an electrical signal with different frequencies. The results clearly show that the resonance of the metamaterial can be continuously and reversibly controlled within a wavelength range of 100 nm as the applied frequency is inverted between 1 kHz and 40 kHz, with a total response time (τ = τON + τOFF) of 1.89 ms. Furthermore, experimental characteristics of the hybrid metamaterial are in great agreement with numerical calculations, which allow us to anticipate active epsilon-near-zero behavior of the metadevice. This work indicates the future development direction of liquid-crystal-based active plasmonic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafał Kowerdziej
- Institute of Applied Physics, Military University of Technology, 2 Kaliskiego Str., 00-908, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Jerzy Wróbel
- Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 32/46 Lotników Avenue, 02-668, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Przemysław Kula
- Institute of Chemistry, Military University of Technology, 2 Kaliskiego Str., 00-908, Warsaw, Poland
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8
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Metamaterial Lensing Devices. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24132460. [PMID: 31277470 PMCID: PMC6650915 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24132460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the development of metamaterials and metasurfaces has drawn great attention, enabling many important practical applications. Focusing and lensing components are of extreme importance because of their significant potential practical applications in biological imaging, display, and nanolithography fabrication. Metafocusing devices using ultrathin structures (also known as metasurfaces) with superlensing performance are key building blocks for developing integrated optical components with ultrasmall dimensions. In this article, we review the metamaterial superlensing devices working in transmission mode from the perfect lens to two-dimensional metasurfaces and present their working principles. Then we summarize important practical applications of metasurfaces, such as plasmonic lithography, holography, and imaging. Different typical designs and their focusing performance are also discussed in detail.
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9
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Pusovnik A, Aplinc J, Ravnik M. Optical properties of metamaterial split ring nematic colloids. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7025. [PMID: 31065025 PMCID: PMC6505528 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-43470-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The fabrication of 3D bulk metamaterials, optical materials with sub-wavelength building blocks, is an open challenge, along with the tuning of their optical properties, such as transmissivity or exit polarization where a possible approach is to embed liquid crystalline materials into metamaterials and use their tunable birefringence. In this work, we explore using numerical modelling the photonic properties of a composite of split ring resonator colloidal particles, dispersed in nematic liquid crystal, which was optimised to enable self-assembly fully. Specifically, using generalised FDTD simulations for light propagation in birefringent profiles, we demonstrate the photonic response of single particles, 2D and 3D colloidal crystals. The material transmittance is shown to exhibit clear resonant behaviour with the resonances tunable with the birefringence in the order of ~5%. Electric and magnetic field modes emergent on the particles are shown, as affected by the surrounding nematic birefringence, both the in the slit region of the split ring resonator (SRR) particles as well as around the particles. Observed photonic response is further explained by introducing basic equivalent LC circuits. Finally, this work is aimed at developing soft and fluid metamaterials, which exhibit optical anisotropy in the photonic response as a potent mechanism for controlling the flow of light at wavelength and even sub-wavelength scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Pusovnik
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana, Jadranska 19, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Jure Aplinc
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana, Jadranska 19, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Miha Ravnik
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana, Jadranska 19, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- J. Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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10
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Atorf B, Auf der Landwehr CH, Rennerich R, Kitzerow H. Midinfrared Birefringence of Liquid Crystals, Polarimetry, and Intensity Modulators. J Phys Chem B 2019; 123:1384-1389. [PMID: 30649882 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.8b10039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The Stokes parameters of transmitted light and the birefringence were measured for several liquid crystal mixtures in the midinfrared (MIR) spectral range (≈1900-5500 cm-1). A MIR intensity modulator has been fabricated and characterized. Germanium substrates show both sufficient conductivity and transparency in the MIR range to serve as transparent electrodes. The modulator makes use of the well-known principle of a twisted nematic cell, which rotates the plane of polarization of a transmitted electromagnetic wave in the field-off state and does not change the state of polarization at sufficiently high voltage. For this application, alignment layers made of poly(vinyl alcohol) and wire grid polarizers on a substrate made of 1,1,2,2-tetrafluorethen (Teflon) are used. The modulator shows high contrast ratios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard Atorf
- Center for Optoelectronics and Photonics and Faculty of Science , Paderborn University , Warburger Straße 100 , 33098 Paderborn , Germany
| | - Chris Holm Auf der Landwehr
- Center for Optoelectronics and Photonics and Faculty of Science , Paderborn University , Warburger Straße 100 , 33098 Paderborn , Germany
| | - Roman Rennerich
- Center for Optoelectronics and Photonics and Faculty of Science , Paderborn University , Warburger Straße 100 , 33098 Paderborn , Germany
| | - Heinz Kitzerow
- Center for Optoelectronics and Photonics and Faculty of Science , Paderborn University , Warburger Straße 100 , 33098 Paderborn , Germany
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11
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Liquid Crystal Enabled Dynamic Nanodevices. NANOMATERIALS 2018; 8:nano8110871. [PMID: 30360573 PMCID: PMC6265771 DOI: 10.3390/nano8110871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 10/13/2018] [Accepted: 10/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Inspired by the anisotropic molecular shape and tunable alignment of liquid crystals (LCs), investigations on hybrid nanodevices which combine LCs with plasmonic metasurfaces have received great attention recently. Since LCs possess unique electro-optical properties, developing novel dynamic optical components by incorporating nematic LCs with nanostructures offers a variety of practical applications. Owing to the large birefringence of LCs, the optical properties of metamaterials can be electrically or optically modulated over a wide range. In this review article, we show different elegant designs of metasurface based nanodevices integrated into LCs and explore the tuning factors of transmittance/extinction/scattering spectra. Moreover, we review and classify substantial tunable devices enabled by LC-plasmonic interactions. These dynamically tunable optoelectronic nanodevices and components are of extreme importance, since they can enable a significant range of applications, including ultra-fast switching, modulating, sensing, imaging, and waveguiding. By integrating LCs with two dimensional metasurfaces, one can manipulate electromagnetic waves at the nanoscale with dramatically reduced sizes. Owing to their special electro-optical properties, recent efforts have demonstrated that more accurate manipulation of LC-displays can be engineered by precisely controlling the alignment of LCs inside small channels. In particular, device performance can be significantly improved by optimizing geometries and the surrounding environmental parameters.
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12
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Liquid-Crystal-Based Electrically Tuned Electromagnetically Induced Transparency Metasurface Switch. Sci Rep 2017; 7:17378. [PMID: 29234053 PMCID: PMC5727166 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17612-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, a structure to realize a switchover between two different responses of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) was designed and implemented by simulation. Taking advantage of the anisotropy in the structure and the coupling between the radiative and dark elements, a metasurface switch with modulation depth of over 85% between orthogonal polarization incident light illuminations was demonstrated. The key mode switchover between the “on” and “off” states was achieved by electrically changing the dressing light polarization with a liquid crystals layer pre-aligned with a mature technology, without changing the incident light and an expected and reversible transition from an EIT-like spectrum to a strong spectral dip was observed. The modulation in the EIT switch fabricated with the proposed straightforward approach is a promising tool to control the groping velocity delay.
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13
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Liu L, Kang L, Mayer TS, Werner DH. Hybrid metamaterials for electrically triggered multifunctional control. Nat Commun 2016; 7:13236. [PMID: 27807342 PMCID: PMC5095288 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 09/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the exotic material properties that have been demonstrated to date, practical examples of versatile metamaterials remain exceedingly rare. The concept of metadevices has been proposed in the context of hybrid metamaterial composites: systems in which active materials are introduced to advance tunability, switchability and nonlinearity. In contrast to the successful hybridizations seen at lower frequencies, there has been limited exploration into plasmonic and photonic nanostructures due to the lack of available optical materials with non-trivial activity, together with difficulties in regulating responses to external forces in an integrated manner. Here, by presenting a series of proof-of-concept studies on electrically triggered functionalities, we demonstrate a vanadium dioxide integrated photonic metamaterial as a transformative platform for multifunctional control. The proposed hybrid metamaterial integrated with transition materials represents a major step forward by providing a universal approach to creating self-sufficient and highly versatile nanophotonic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Liu
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Center for Nanoscale Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
| | - Lei Kang
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Center for Nanoscale Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
| | - Theresa S. Mayer
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Center for Nanoscale Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
| | - Douglas H. Werner
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Center for Nanoscale Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
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14
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Lee YU, Kim J, Wu JW. Electro-optic switching in metamaterial by liquid crystal. NANO CONVERGENCE 2015; 2:23. [PMID: 28191409 PMCID: PMC5271135 DOI: 10.1186/s40580-015-0054-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Accepted: 07/09/2015] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Electro-optic switching of reflection and refraction is experimentally demonstrated in metasurface liquid crystal cell. Negative metasurface is fabricated by focused-ion-beam milling, and twisted nematic cells are constructed with complementary double-split ring resonator and V-shape slot antenna metasurface. By application of an external voltage, electro-optic switchings are achieved in reflection and refraction. It has a strong implication for applications in spatial light modulation and wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer in a near-IR spectral range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeon Ui Lee
- Department of Physics, Quantum Metamaterials Research Center, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 120-750 Korea
| | - Junghee Kim
- Department of Physics, Quantum Metamaterials Research Center, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 120-750 Korea
| | - Jeong Weon Wu
- Department of Physics, Quantum Metamaterials Research Center, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 120-750 Korea
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15
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Sautter J, Staude I, Decker M, Rusak E, Neshev DN, Brener I, Kivshar YS. Active tuning of all-dielectric metasurfaces. ACS NANO 2015; 9:4308-15. [PMID: 25748581 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.5b00723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
All-dielectric metasurfaces provide a powerful platform for highly efficient flat optical devices, owing to their strong electric and magnetic dipolar response accompanied by negligible losses at near-infrared frequencies. Here we experimentally demonstrate dynamic tuning of electric and magnetic resonances in all-dielectric silicon nanodisk metasurfaces in the telecom spectral range based on the temperature-dependent refractive-index change of a nematic liquid crystal. We achieve a maximum resonance tuning range of 40 nm and a pronounced change in the transmittance intensity up to a factor of 5. Strongly different tuning rates are observed for the electric and the magnetic response, which allows for dynamically adjusting the spectral mode separation. Furthermore, we experimentally investigate the influence of the anisotropic (temperature-dependent) dielectric environment provided by the liquid crystal on both the electric and magnetic resonances. We demonstrate that the phase transition of the liquid crystal from its nematic to its isotropic phase can be used to break the symmetry of the optical metasurface response. As such, our approach allows for spectral tuning of electric and magnetic resonances of all-dielectric metasurfaces as well as switching of the anisotropy of the optical response of the device.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Sautter
- †Nonlinear Physics Centre and Centre for Ultrahigh Bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems (CUDOS), Research School of Physics and Engineering, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Isabelle Staude
- †Nonlinear Physics Centre and Centre for Ultrahigh Bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems (CUDOS), Research School of Physics and Engineering, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Manuel Decker
- †Nonlinear Physics Centre and Centre for Ultrahigh Bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems (CUDOS), Research School of Physics and Engineering, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Evgenia Rusak
- †Nonlinear Physics Centre and Centre for Ultrahigh Bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems (CUDOS), Research School of Physics and Engineering, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Dragomir N Neshev
- †Nonlinear Physics Centre and Centre for Ultrahigh Bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems (CUDOS), Research School of Physics and Engineering, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Igal Brener
- ‡Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, United States
| | - Yuri S Kivshar
- †Nonlinear Physics Centre and Centre for Ultrahigh Bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems (CUDOS), Research School of Physics and Engineering, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
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Lee YU, Kim J, Woo JH, Bang LH, Choi EY, Kim ES, Wu JW. Electro-optic switching in phase-discontinuity complementary metasurface twisted nematic cell. OPTICS EXPRESS 2014; 22:20816-20827. [PMID: 25321285 DOI: 10.1364/oe.22.020816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Electro-optic switching of refraction is experimentally demonstrated in a phase-discontinuity complementary metasurface twisted nematic cell. The phase-discontinuity complementary metasurface is fabricated by focused-ion-beam milling, and a twisted nematic cell is constructed with complementary V-shape slot antenna metasurface. By application of an external voltage, switching is achieved between ordinary refraction and extraordinary refraction satisfying the generalized Snell's law. It has a strong implication for applications in spatial light modulation and wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer in a near-IR spectral range.
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Atorf B, Mühlenbernd H, Muldarisnur M, Zentgraf T, Kitzerow H. Electro-optic tuning of split ring resonators embedded in a liquid crystal. OPTICS LETTERS 2014; 39:1129-1132. [PMID: 24690688 DOI: 10.1364/ol.39.001129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Two-dimensional arrays of split ring resonators for near-infrared frequencies are embedded in a liquid crystal (LC) and the influences of LC alignment, temperature, and electric fields on the resonance frequencies are studied. The results show that tunability can not only be achieved by influencing the state of polarization of the incident radiation, but also by direct interaction of the evanescent field of the resonant modes with the LC. Depending on the LC alignment, the field-induced shift of the resonance frequency is found to vary for different excited modes. Some guidelines for the design of tunable frequency selective metasurfaces can be deduced from these experimental results.
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Atorf B, Mühlenbernd H, Muldarisnur M, Zentgraf T, Kitzerow H. Effect of Alignment on a Liquid Crystal/Split-Ring Resonator Metasurface. Chemphyschem 2014; 15:1470-6. [PMID: 24481628 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201301069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2013] [Revised: 12/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard Atorf
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Paderborn, Warburger Str. 100, 33098 Paderborn (Germany), Fax: (+49) 5251 60 42 08; Center for Optoelectronics and Photonics Paderborn (CeOPP), University of Paderborn, Warburger Str. 100, 33098 Paderborn (Germany)
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Lee YU, Choi EY, Woo JH, Kim ES, Wu JW. Reflection resonance switching in metamaterial twisted nematics cell. OPTICS EXPRESS 2013; 21:17492-17497. [PMID: 23938619 DOI: 10.1364/oe.21.017492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Electric switching of reflection resonances at near-IR spectral range is experimentally demonstrated in a reflective metamaterial twisted nematic liquid crystal cell. Reflective metamaterial composed of nano-sized double-split ring resonator aperture is fabricated by a focused ion beam milling. Two-fold rotational symmetry of double-split ring resonators allows for two orthogonal polarization-dependent reflection resonances in the reflective metamaterial. With an external voltage of 10V across 12μm cell gap, a full switching is achieved between two reflection resonances. Dynamic measurements show the time constants of switch-on and switch-off are in the order of 100ms and 10ms, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y U Lee
- Department of Physics, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 120-750, South Korea
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20
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Gholipour B, Zhang J, MacDonald KF, Hewak DW, Zheludev NI. An all-optical, non-volatile, bidirectional, phase-change meta-switch. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2013; 25:3050-4. [PMID: 23625824 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201300588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2013] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Non-volatile, bidirectional, all-optical switching in a phase-change metamaterial delivers high-contrast transmission and reflection modulation at near- to mid-infrared wavelengths in device structures down to ≈1/27 of a wavelength thick.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behrad Gholipour
- Optoelectronics Research Centre & Centre for Photonic Metamaterials, University of Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
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21
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Decker M, Kremers C, Minovich A, Staude I, Miroshnichenko AE, Chigrin D, Neshev DN, Jagadish C, Kivshar YS. Electro-optical switching by liquid-crystal controlled metasurfaces. OPTICS EXPRESS 2013; 21:8879-8885. [PMID: 23571978 DOI: 10.1364/oe.21.008879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
We study the optical response of a metamaterial surface created by a lattice of split-ring resonators covered with a nematic liquid crystal and demonstrate millisecond timescale switching between electric and magnetic resonances of the metasurface. This is achieved due to a high sensitivity of liquid-crystal molecular reorientation to the symmetry of the metasurface as well as to the presence of a bias electric field. Our experiments are complemented by numerical simulations of the liquid-crystal reorientation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Decker
- Nonlinear Physics Centre and Centre for Ultrahigh Bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems (CUDOS), Research School of Physics and Engineering, The Australian National University, Canberra ACT 0200, Australia.
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22
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Buchnev O, Ou JY, Kaczmarek M, Zheludev NI, Fedotov VA. Electro-optical control in a plasmonic metamaterial hybridised with a liquid-crystal cell. OPTICS EXPRESS 2013; 21:1633-8. [PMID: 23389148 DOI: 10.1364/oe.21.001633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
We experimentally demonstrate efficient electro-optical control in an active nano-structured plasmonic metamaterial hybridised with a liquid-crystal cell. The hybridisation was achieved by simultaneously replacing the polarizer, transparent electrode and molecular alignment layer of the liquid-crystal cell with the metamaterial nano-structure. With the control signal of only 7 V we have achieved a fivefold hysteresis-free modulation of metamaterial transmission at the wavelength of 1.55 µm.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Buchnev
- Optoelectronics Research Centre, University of Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
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Kim J, Lee YU, Kang B, Woo JH, Choi EY, Kim ES, Gwon M, Kim DW, Wu JW. Fabrication of polarization-dependent reflective metamaterial by focused ion beam milling. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2013; 24:015306. [PMID: 23220863 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/24/1/015306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
By focused ion beam milling, we fabricated near-IR reflective metamaterials consisting of nano-aperture arrays. Optimum parameters of ion beam current and accelerating voltage in the fabrication process are obtained. Nano-apertures constituting reflective metamaterial are successfully milled, and possess a reflective resonance in the near-IR spectral range. With a double-split-ring resonator structure for the nano-aperture, the intensity reflection at resonance is rendered polarization dependent. It is found that the point group symmetry of the nano-aperture array determines the amount of anisotropy in the intensity reflection. Finite-difference time-domain simulation was adopted to identify details of nano-aperture metastructures transferred from nano-aperture patterns by the focused ion beam milling.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Kim
- Department of Physics, Ewha Womans University, CNRS-Ewha International Research Center, Seoul 120-750, Korea
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Abstract
Metamaterials, artificial electromagnetic media that are structured on the subwavelength scale, were initially suggested for the negative-index 'superlens'. Later metamaterials became a paradigm for engineering electromagnetic space and controlling propagation of waves: the field of transformation optics was born. The research agenda is now shifting towards achieving tunable, switchable, nonlinear and sensing functionalities. It is therefore timely to discuss the emerging field of metadevices where we define the devices as having unique and useful functionalities that are realized by structuring of functional matter on the subwavelength scale. In this Review we summarize research on photonic, terahertz and microwave electromagnetic metamaterials and metadevices with functionalities attained through the exploitation of phase-change media, semiconductors, graphene, carbon nanotubes and liquid crystals. The Review also encompasses microelectromechanical metadevices, metadevices engaging the nonlinear and quantum response of superconductors, electrostatic and optomechanical forces and nonlinear metadevices incorporating lumped nonlinear components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolay I Zheludev
- Optoelectronics Research Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.
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Woo JH, Kim ES, Choi E, Kang B, Lee HH, Kim J, Lee YU, Hong TY, Kim JH, Wu JW. Cryogenic temperature measurement of THz meta-resonance in symmetric metamaterial superlattice. OPTICS EXPRESS 2011; 19:4384-4392. [PMID: 21369268 DOI: 10.1364/oe.19.004384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
A symmetric metamaterial superlattice is introduced accommodating a high Q-factor trapped mode. THz time-domain spectroscopy is employed to measure the transmission spectra, identifying the excitation of trapped and open-modes in the meta-resonances. A finite-difference-time- domain calculation showed that the trapped mode excitation is from the cancelation of current densities among the nearest-neighboring meta-particles. A cryogenic temperature THz measurement is carried out to examine the temperature dependence of resonance characteristics of meta-resonances. At low temperatures, the temperature-independent radiative damping is dominant for the open-mode, while the Q-factor of the trapped mode is determined by the temperature-dependent phonon scattering and temperature-independent defect scattering with the radiative damping significantly suppressed. When compared with the room temperature measurement, a 16% increase in Q-factor is observed for the trapped mode, while a 7% increase for the open-mode at the cryogenic temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- J H Woo
- Department of Physics and Quantum Metamaterials Research Center, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
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