Optically switchable mirrors for surface plasmon polaritons propagating on semiconductor surfaces

Abstract

Using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy measurements, we demonstrate optical switching of the transmission of terahertz surface plasmon polaritons ͑SPPs͒ propagating on an indium antimonide surface through Bragg scattering on grooves. The switching of the in-plane transmission of SPPs through the grooves is mediated by the modification of the stop-gap width due to changes of the surface plasmon characteristics, which are induced by the optical generation of charge carriers. The use of a semiconductor surface allows us to achieve switching at extremely low excitation powers. The experimental data can be quantitatively reproduced using rigorous numerical calculations for surfaces with varying dielectric function. Such an optically active device opens further possibilities for low-frequency surface plasmon optics.

Magneto-optical properties of InSb for terahertz applications

“…The polar Kerr rotation is up to 20 degrees, which is higher than the data on InAs at 0.48 T by Shimano et al, 28 which show Kerr rotation of 10 degrees around 1.5 THz. The strength of this effect at room temperature and reasonably low magnetic field points to applicability of InSb as a material for non-reciprocal magnetoplasmonic devices usable in the terahertz range, plus the properties can easily be further modulated by either heat 29 or light, 23 or the material can be used in a heterostructure in combination with different doping levels. The plasmonic properties can further enhance the magneto-optical effects by capturing, guiding and concentrating light at subwavelength scale using surface plasmons.…”

Unraveling the relationship between electromagnetic field intensity and the magnetic modulation of the wave vector of coupled surface plasmon polaritons

“…A further step in the development of optical circuitry is to gain control of the plasmon properties by means of an external agent. There have been several attempts at using agents such as temperature [9,10], EM waves [11], electric fields [12,13] or magnetic fields [14,15]. In this work we will restrict ourselves to the study of the case in which this external agent is a static magnetic field, thus exploiting the magneto-optical (MO) effect.…”

Binary control of plasmonic nano rods to design an optical switch

“…Subsequently, reversible variations in the waveguide characteristics caused by femto-second optical excitation have been employed to develop faster and more efficient plasmonic switches and modulators (MacDoland et al 2009). In terahertz frequency range, the optical and thermal control of the spoofed surface plasmon polaritons (SSPP) propagation along the surfaces of indenteddoped semiconductors has been investigated in Gomez Rivas et al (2006). Recently, a terahertz plasmonic switch implemented inside a metallic surface with a periodic array of grooves filled with an electro-optical material was proposed in Song and Mazmuder (2009) and Xu et al (2011).…”