Open AccessPhonon-mediated magnetic polaritons in the infrared region
Author(s) -
Liping Wang,
Z. M. Zhang
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.19.00a126
Subject(s) - polariton , phonon , metamaterial , materials science , surface phonon , infrared , rigorous coupled wave analysis , magnetic field , excitation , condensed matter physics , optoelectronics , optics , grating , physics , diffraction grating , quantum mechanics
Magnetic polaritons that couple electromagnetic waves with magnetic excitation can be used for tailoring the radiative properties of materials in energy-harvesting and other applications. Previous studies used metallic microstructures to induce magnetic responses. With rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA), transmission enhancement with a SiC slit array and coherent thermal emission with a SiC deep grating is theoretically demonstrated in the infrared within the phonon absorption band. The field distributions and the agreement in the resonance frequencies predicted from both RCWA and LC circuit models strongly suggest that magnetic polaritons exist in the SiC microstructures. This type of magnetic polariton is mediated by vibration of atoms in polar materials (i.e., optical phonons), rather than by free electrons in metals. Our results suggest that phonon-mediated magnetic polaritons have promising applications such as filters and selective coherent emitters in the infrared spectral region.