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Study of Plasmonic Phenomena in Metal Nanostructure Arrays

Jung, Yun-suk (2011) Study of Plasmonic Phenomena in Metal Nanostructure Arrays. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh.

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    Abstract

    Metal nanostructures have received considerable attention for their ability to guide and manipulate light at the nanometer scale. As in the case of electronics, scaling down the dimensions of photonic devices is expected to bring numerous benefits in terms of speed, capacity, and energy efficiency in information processing. Surface plasmons, collective oscillation of electrons excited by light, are basically photon waves trapped/squeezed at a metal/dielectric interface. The reduced size in electromagnetic field distribution offers a potential for nanoscale reduction of photonic devices. The intrinsic coupling between electrons and photons also offers a potential for merging electronics and photonics on the same platform.In this thesis, we have investigated metallic nanostructures as a medium for plasmonic interactions. Surface plasmons excited on a metallic structure can produce many interesting phenomena that can be observed in the near-field to far-field regime. We have studied the anomalous behavior of surface plasmons that are excited in a resonant cavity structure of a metal nanoslit array. We show that modification of a metal nanoslit array by a self-assembled monolayer of molecules can give rise to a blue-shift in the peak transmission wavelength. A simple model was developed to predict the wavelength shift and its sign. We have characterized the near- to far-field distribution of optical wavefronts emanating from a nanoslit formed in a thin silver film. The evolution of optical phases was imaged using a self-interference technique in conjunction with a scanning probe method. The phase relationship of the slit-transmitted waves with respect to the direct transmission through the thin metal film is quantitatively established. We have investigated negative refraction of visible light that does not involve any negative-index media. The interfacial negative refraction without bulk media, demonstrated in this thesis, offers a promising approach to accessing angular ranges that have not been reachable in conventional optics.

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    Details

    Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
    ETD Committee:
    ETD Committee TypeCommittee MemberEmail
    Committee ChairKim, Hong Koohkk@pitt.edu
    Committee MemberFalk, Joelfalk@ee.pitt.edu
    Committee MemberYun, Minheemiy16@pitt.edu
    Committee MemberCoalson, Robcoalson@pitt.edu
    Committee MemberStanchina, Williamwes25@pitt.edu
    Title: Study of Plasmonic Phenomena in Metal Nanostructure Arrays
    Status: Unpublished
    Abstract: Metal nanostructures have received considerable attention for their ability to guide and manipulate light at the nanometer scale. As in the case of electronics, scaling down the dimensions of photonic devices is expected to bring numerous benefits in terms of speed, capacity, and energy efficiency in information processing. Surface plasmons, collective oscillation of electrons excited by light, are basically photon waves trapped/squeezed at a metal/dielectric interface. The reduced size in electromagnetic field distribution offers a potential for nanoscale reduction of photonic devices. The intrinsic coupling between electrons and photons also offers a potential for merging electronics and photonics on the same platform.In this thesis, we have investigated metallic nanostructures as a medium for plasmonic interactions. Surface plasmons excited on a metallic structure can produce many interesting phenomena that can be observed in the near-field to far-field regime. We have studied the anomalous behavior of surface plasmons that are excited in a resonant cavity structure of a metal nanoslit array. We show that modification of a metal nanoslit array by a self-assembled monolayer of molecules can give rise to a blue-shift in the peak transmission wavelength. A simple model was developed to predict the wavelength shift and its sign. We have characterized the near- to far-field distribution of optical wavefronts emanating from a nanoslit formed in a thin silver film. The evolution of optical phases was imaged using a self-interference technique in conjunction with a scanning probe method. The phase relationship of the slit-transmitted waves with respect to the direct transmission through the thin metal film is quantitatively established. We have investigated negative refraction of visible light that does not involve any negative-index media. The interfacial negative refraction without bulk media, demonstrated in this thesis, offers a promising approach to accessing angular ranges that have not been reachable in conventional optics.
    Date: 03 August 2011
    Date Type: Completion
    Defense Date: 22 July 2009
    Approval Date: 03 August 2011
    Submission Date: 15 July 2009
    Access Restriction: 5 year -- Restrict access to University of Pittsburgh for a period of 5 years.
    Patent pending: No
    Institution: University of Pittsburgh
    Thesis Type: Doctoral Dissertation
    Refereed: Yes
    Degree: PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
    URN: etd-07152009-134522
    Uncontrolled Keywords: Anomalous dispersion; Diffractive optics; Metal nanostructures; Metal optics; Negative refraction; Surface plasmons
    Schools and Programs: Swanson School of Engineering > Electrical Engineering
    Date Deposited: 10 Nov 2011 14:51
    Last Modified: 19 Jun 2012 10:17
    Other ID: http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-07152009-134522/, etd-07152009-134522

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