A photonic switch based on a gigantic, reversible optical nonlinearity of liquefying gallium

Bennett, P.J.; Dhanjal, S.; Petropoulos, P.; Richardson, David J.; Zheludev, Nikolay I.; Emel’yanov, V. I.

doi:10.1063/1.122282

Cited by 52 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Similar coexistence arrangements may be found in gallium nanoparticles where, depending on the temperature, solid-liquid or solid-solid core-shell particles made of different structural phases are formed [53]. During the premetamaterial era we extensively studied such gallium films and nanoparticles as platforms for all-optical and free-electron-driven switching and memory elements [5,[54][55][56]. Today, the metamaterial terminology is used widely, and structural materials consisting of arrays of nanoparticles are commonly referred to as metamaterials.…”

Section: Developing Metamaterials Technology: Switching and Tunabilitymentioning

confidence: 98%

“…The asymmetric transmission effect discussed above was one of the examples. Another unusual phenomenon, which has never been reported in natural solid or liquid media in the entire history of optics, and which was possible to 'engineer' in metamaterials, was the dependence of the absorption line width on sample size 5 . In 2010 we reported on a metamaterial in which the spectral line collapses with an increasing number of metamolecules: bigger samples had narrower lines [109].…”

Section: Developing Metamaterials Technology: Switching and Tunabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In particular, our earlier studies in linear and nonlinear polarization phenomena in chiral media [4] led to a keen interest in artificial (metamaterial) chirality at the beginning stages of the discipline. Our past work on the nanophotonics of structural transformation [5] seeded our later interest in phase-change metamaterials. The highly talented Kevin MacDonald and Vassili Fedotov, who were to become key players in the future metamaterials group at the University of Southampton, joined us as my research students in 1998 and 1999 respectively, and worked on structural transformations at the nanoscale.…”

Section: Earlier Days From Optics To Microwaves and Backmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Novel laser designs have been investigated where resonant arrays of toroidal metamolecules are used as a gain medium [129]. Finally, toroidal electromagnetic excitations 5 Dependence of the absorption line width in a gas sample on the sample or beam size is a well-known effect. It has a different nature, which is relevant to the finite interaction time that the atoms flying across the optical beam have in the gas phase.…”

Section: Developing Metamaterials Technology: Switching and Tunabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nonvolatile switching, which remains in the absence of the excitation source, requires a material with 'memory.' From 1998 onward, we worked on nanoscale structural transformations as a source of optical nonlinearity and nonvolatile switching [5], with keen interest in using them for photonic technologies. We realized that phase-change functionality could provide a way of shrinking optical switching devices to the nanoscale [50], and later that it could be used to control the individual molecules of metamaterials [51].…”

Section: Developing Metamaterials Technology: Switching and Tunabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Metamaterials at the University of Southampton and beyond

Zheludev¹

2017

J. Opt.

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At the University of Southampton, research on metamaterials started in 2000 with a paper describing a metallic microstructure, comprising an ensemble of fully metallic 'molecules'. In the years since then, metamaterials have evolved from an approach for designing unusual electromagnetic properties by structuring matter at the sub-wavelength scale to become a universal paradigm for active functional media with optical properties on demand at any given point in time and space. Metamaterials are now recognized as a promising enabling technology and one of the most buoyant and exciting research disciplines at the crossroads between photonics and nanoscience. Many 'made in Southampton' concepts have influenced the global research community, and we are now working in collaboration with our sister research centre in Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. In this article, I provide a historical overview of the metamaterials research field, from early studies to recent developments through the lens of the Southampton group, and discuss promising future directions.

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Section: Developing Metamaterials Technology: Switching and Tunabilitymentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Developing Metamaterials Technology: Switching and Tunabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Earlier Days From Optics To Microwaves and Backmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Developing Metamaterials Technology: Switching and Tunabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Developing Metamaterials Technology: Switching and Tunabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Metamaterials at the University of Southampton and beyond

Zheludev¹

2017

J. Opt.

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Gallium‐Based Liquid Metals: Optical Properties, Applications, and Challenges

Wu,

Fang,

et al. 2023

Advanced Optical Materials

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Originating from the intrinsic metallic and liquid natures, gallium‐based liquid metals (Ga‐based LMs) have been greatly developed in the research of soft electronics, chemical synthesis, and other fields due to their fascinating characteristics. Meanwhile, the development and application of metal optics can help modern medicine and industry reach rapid developmental stages, such as disease imaging, photothermal treatment, and sensor detection. However, Ga‐based LMs have been much less explored in terms of their optical properties, particularly liquid alloys, and few reviews have contributed to their photonic applications. Ga‐based LMs can achieve wideband‐tunable plasmonic resonance and exhibit characteristic optical responses owing to their unique polymorphisms, undercooling, and superior mobility. Ga‐based LMs have broad applications in optical switches and memory, optical sensors, light sources, light‐driven micro or nano‐robots, photoacoustic imaging, and controllable metamaterials. In this study, recent progress in the optical properties of Ga‐based LMs and their potential applications are summarized. Current challenges in optical applications and future perspectives in this research field are summarized and discussed.

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Microwatt Volatile Optical Bistability via Nanomechanical Nonlinearity

Papas

Plum

et al. 2023

Advanced Science

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Metastable optically controlled devices (optical flip‐flops) are needed in data storage, signal processing, and displays. Although nonvolatile memory relying on phase transitions in chalcogenide glasses has been widely used for optical data storage, beyond that, weak optical nonlinearities have hindered the development of low‐power bistable devices. This work reports a new type of volatile optical bistability in a hybrid nano‐optomechanical device, comprising a pair of anchored nanowires decorated with plasmonic metamolecules. The nonlinearity and bistability reside in the mechanical properties of the acoustically driven nanowires and are transduced to the optical response by reconfiguring the plasmonic metamolecules. The device can be switched between bistable optical states with microwatts of optical power and its volatile memory can be erased by removing the acoustic signal. The demonstration of hybrid nano‐optomechanical bistability opens new opportunities to develop low‐power optical bistable devices.

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A photonic switch based on a gigantic, reversible optical nonlinearity of liquefying gallium

Abstract: Liquefying gallium shows a huge reversible optical nonlinearity which is compatible with waveguide technology and promises to be a breakthrough in broadband, light by light modulation at milliwatt operating power levels and frequency band spanning up to several hundred kilohertz.

Cited by 52 publications

References 7 publications

Metamaterials at the University of Southampton and beyond

Metamaterials at the University of Southampton and beyond

Gallium‐Based Liquid Metals: Optical Properties, Applications, and Challenges

Microwatt Volatile Optical Bistability via Nanomechanical Nonlinearity

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