Metamaterials as platform for modelling physical phenomena and elemental base of nanophotonic devices

Zheludev, N.I. (2010) Metamaterials as platform for modelling physical phenomena and elemental base of nanophotonic devices. MRS Materials Research Society Spring Meeting, , San Francisco, United States. 05 - 09 Apr 2010.

Record type: Conference or Workshop Item (Other)

Abstract

Patterning of thin metal films on the sub-wavelength scale can yield a range of functionalities invaluable for nanophotonic application. This includes mimicking properties of conventional bulk media such as anisotropy and gyrotropy, but most importantly nanoscale patterning can lead to new functionalities. This includes high-epsilon media, stop bands and narrow resonances with strong dispersion useful in optical delays. Nano-structured films can be electromagnetically “invisible”, enforce asymmetry of light’s propagation in the opposite directions, create sub-wavelength far-field concentrations of light and form the basis of coherent source of electromagnetic radiation, the “lasing spaser”. Functionalized with nonlinear media such as carbon nanotubes and phase change glasses they provide enhanced ultrafast nonlinearities at very low power levels and electro-optical switching functionality while superconducting metamaterial offer an incredible new opportunities for developing nonlinear and quantum devices. Electromagnetic metamaterials also provide a flexible platform for mimicking and modeling a broader physical realm. Keystone physics ideas and phenomena such as Electromagnetically Induced Transparency, Bose-Einstein Condensation, the Mössbauer Effect, the Meissner Effect, the Bunn effect, parity violation in atoms and the concept of anion and anapole are among those that could be intriguingly close mimicked in classical electromagnetic meta-materials. For references please visit: http://www.nanophotonics.org.uk/niz/publications/

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