Polarization-dependent coupling to plasmon modes on submicron gold wire in photonic crystal fiber

Abstract

We present experimental results on coupling to surface plasmon modes on gold nanowires selectively introduced into polarization-maintaining photonic crystal fibers. Highly polarization- and wavelength-dependent transmission is observed. In one sample 24.5 mm long, the transmission on and off resonance differs by as much as 45 dB. Near-field optical images of the light emerging from such a gold-filled fiber show light guided on the wire at surface plasmon resonances. Finite element simulations are in good agreement with the experimental results. These gold-filled fibers can be potentially used as in-fiber wavelength-dependent filters and polarizers and as near-field tips for sub-wavelength-scale imaging. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics

D-shape polymer optical fibres for surface plasmon resonance sensing

“…One of the attempts to overcome the problems with metal deposition onto the inner surfaces of air−holes reported in Ref. 23 was a development of a sensing fibre−optic structure with metal nanowires.…”

Selective opening of airholes in photonic crystal fiber

“…Endlessly single-mode operation, lightguidance in hollow air-core, and very high nonlinearity and birefringence are a few of the novel properties of PCFs that may not be achieved with conventional singlemode fibers (SMFs) [3,4]. Apart from the high level of flexibility in the PCF fabrication process, novel functionality may be added to PCFs by postprocessing [5][6][7][8].…”

“…Endlessly single-mode operation, lightguidance in hollow air-core, and very high nonlinearity and birefringence are a few of the novel properties of PCFs that may not be achieved with conventional singlemode fibers (SMFs) [3,4]. Apart from the high level of flexibility in the PCF fabrication process, novel functionality may be added to PCFs by postprocessing [5][6][7][8].Techniques for postprocessing PCFs include tapering and inscription of periodic structures that are widely adopted for conventional fibers and selective filling or pressurization of airholes, which is unique to PCFs. Examples of PCF postprocessing include selective filling of airholes with an index tunable polymer to realize birefringence tunability [5], inflating/deflating airholes to reduce splice loss and to achieve in-fiber mode conversion [6,7], and infiltrating submicrometer gold into a selected hole of a polarization maintaining PCF to achieve polarizationand wavelength-dependent transmission [8].…”

“…Examples of PCF postprocessing include selective filling of airholes with an index tunable polymer to realize birefringence tunability [5], inflating/deflating airholes to reduce splice loss and to achieve in-fiber mode conversion [6,7], and infiltrating submicrometer gold into a selected hole of a polarization maintaining PCF to achieve polarizationand wavelength-dependent transmission [8]. All these examples rely on the selective opening or closing of airholes within the cladding region.…”

“…Apart from the high level of flexibility in the PCF fabrication process, novel functionality may be added to PCFs by postprocessing [5][6][7][8].…”