Magnetoplasmonic Nanoantennas for On-Chip Reconfigurable Optical Wireless Communications

Abstract

On-chip wireless communications require optical nanoantennas with dynamically tunable radiation patterns, which may allow for higher integration with multiple nanoantennas instead of two fixed nanoantennas in existing approaches. In this paper, we introduce a concept to enable active manipulation of radiated beam steering using applied magnetic fields. The proposed system consists of a highly directive Yagi–Uda-like arrangement of magnetoplasmonic nanoribs made of Co6Ag94 and immersed in SiO2. Numerical demonstration of the tilting of the radiated beam from the nanoantenna on its plane is provided with full-wave electromagnetic simulations using the finite element method. The tilt direction of the radiated beam can be changed by reversing the magnetization direction, while the conventional plasmonic nanoantenna pattern is recovered by demagnetizing the system. The geometry of the nanoantenna can be tailored to work at optical or infrared wavelengths, but a proof of concept for λ = 700 nm is conducted for taking advantage of the high magneto-optical activity of Co6Ag94. The design was based on experimental data for materials that can be fabricated via nanolithography, thus permitting magnetically on-chip reconfigurable optical wireless communications.

Goos–Hänchen Shift Spatially Resolves Magneto-Optical Kerr Effect Enhancement in Magnetoplasmonic Crystals

“…In comparison with the conventional TMOKE measurements, the maximum values of the spatially resolved TMOKE­( x ) are 2.6 times superior. Our findings can improve the functionality of magnetoplasmonic devices operating as sensors − and light modulators. − The spatially resolved magneto-optical effects associated with the GH shift can also be revealed in a wide range of nanophotonic devices such as magnetophotonic crystals, , plasmonic, , and low-loss all-dielectric metasurfaces. − Moreover, the observation of the GH shift can additionally boost the nonlinear magneto-optical, − ultrafast magnetoplasmonic, − and magnetoacoustic effects. , …”

Dynamic terahertz beamforming based on magnetically switchable hyperbolic materials

“…In particular, the unique feature of having ε ⊥ > 0 makes InSb slabs behave like high-refractive-index (HRI) dielectric media along those specific directions, which we exploit to produce magnetically tunable dipolar resonances. The latter produces an effect analogous to the case of nanoantennas [29][30][31], but in each unit cell of the metasurface. Therefore, we must find the geometric parameters at which the collective effects, through the constructive phase interference, produce the maximum beamforming.…”

“…Inspired by the use of magnetic fields to manipulate the optical radiated beams from magnetoplasmonic nanoantennas [29][30][31], we hypothesized that magnetic fields can also be employed for dynamic THz beamforming through magnetically tunable metasurfaces. In the THz range, Faraday and polar magneto-optical (MO) Kerr effects (PMOKE) were recently used for isolators and filters.…”

Integration of Plasmonic Structures in Photonic Waveguides Enables Novel Electromagnetic Functionalities in Photonic Circuits

“…Combined with a plasmonic metal, these materials induce magneto-plasmonic effects, with enhanced effective complex gyrotropies. Magneto-plasmonic multilayered structures have been mainly studied in non-guided configurations such as single nanostructures or hybrid membranes [122], arrays of nanostructures [123,124], alternating silver and garnet layers metamaterials [125], or reconfigurable metasurfaces or arrays of nanoantennas [126,127]. Magneto-optical interactions with propagative plasmons have been also studied in grating structuration [128,129].…”