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Subdiffraction Limited Photonic Funneling of Light
Author(s) -
Li Kun,
Simmons Evan,
Briggs Andrew,
Nordin Leland,
Xu Jiaming,
Podolskiy Viktor,
Wasserman Daniel
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
advanced optical materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.89
H-Index - 91
ISSN - 2195-1071
DOI - 10.1002/adom.202001321
Subject(s) - materials science , photonics , dielectric , optics , optoelectronics , infrared , photonic crystal , diffraction , wavelength , fabrication , nanophotonics , physics , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology
Efficient optical coupling between nano‐ and macroscale areas is strongly suppressed by the diffraction limit. This work presents a possible solution to this fundamental problem via the experimental fabrication, characterization, and comprehensive theoretical analysis of structures referred to as “photonic funnels.” The funnels represent a novel composite material platform that combines hyperbolic dielectric response with geometry‐assisted optical confinement. Experimentally, funneling of mid‐infrared light through openings with diameters as small as 1/25th of the free space wavelength (λ 0 ) is demonstrated. By analyzing the optical response of the funnels, as fabricated, both confinement of mid‐infrared radiation to the λ 0 /25 areas and efficient outcoupling of light from deep subwavelength areas are confirmed.