Source-configured symmetry-broken hyperbolic polaritons

Abstract

Polaritons are quasi-particles that combine light with matter, enabling precise control of light at deep subwavelength scales. The excitation and propagation of polaritons are closely linked to the structural symmetries of the host materials, resulting in symmetrical polariton propagation in high-symmetry materials. However, in low-symmetry crystals, symmetry-broken polaritons exist, exhibiting enhanced directionality of polariton propagation for nanoscale light manipulation and steering. Here, we theoretically propose and experimentally demonstrate the existence of symmetry-broken polaritons, with hyperbolic dispersion, in a high-symmetry crystal. We show that an optical disk-antenna positioned on the crystal surface can act as an in-plane polarized excitation source, enabling dynamic tailoring of the asymmetry of hyperbolic polariton propagation in the high-symmetry crystal over a broad frequency range. Additionally, we provide an intuitive analysis model that predicts the condition under which the asymmetric polaritonic behavior is maximized, which is corroborated by our simulations and experiments. Our results demonstrate that the directionality of polariton propagation can be conveniently configured, independent of the structure symmetry of crystals, providing a tuning knob for the polaritonic response and in-plane anisotropy in nanophotonic applications.

Ultrafast anisotropic dynamics of hyperbolic nanolight pulse propagation

“…Our simulation results validate the effectiveness of controlling the propagation symmetry and dynamics of HP pulses, showing excellent agreement with the experimental data. This regulating effect is attributed to the disk antenna acting as an in-plane dipole emitter that is able to selectively excite the momentum components of HPs [see details in ( 37 )]. These findings offer opportunities for shaping the propagation behavior of HP pulses, which could have implications for applications in topological photonics ( 38 ), ultrafast information transfer, and processing ( 19 ).…”

Interface Engineering for 3D Printed Energy Storage Materials and Devices

“…This advanced manufacturing technology has opened up new opportunities in a wide range of application fields, such as industrial design, electronics, photonics, construction, aerospace, medical, and energy sectors. [ 13–16 ] Using 3D printing technology, several electrochemical energy storage components have been developed with superb geometrical controllability and 3D structural tuning in digital ways, [ 17,18 ] which can readily optimize their physical and chemical properties, leading to outstanding energy storage behaviors. Moreover, the direct 3D printing of full EESDs is also accessible, showing significant potential for practical energy‐related application instances.…”

Hybrid Ghost Phonon Polaritons in Thin-Film Heterostructure

“…g-PhPs in calcite feature an in-plane hyperbolic momentum distribution akin to that of the PhPs in α-MoO 3 . Meanwhile, their propagation can exceed 20 μm, thus providing more possibilities in light guiding with readily available, natural bulk crystals. − However, for intrinsic g-PhPs, the propagation properties are defined by the crystal, and the optical field confinement is limited by the propagating nature into the bulk.…”