Tunable and Reconfigurable Optical Negative-Index Materials with Low Losses
Abstract
Below we highlight the most important breakthroughs and developments accomplished within this 5-year long MURI project (for a more detailed list see the annual reports): *Negative-index metamaterials in the optical range, from near-IR to the visible have been demonstrated. *Negative-index metamaterial with gain completely compensating losses has been demonstrated in the visible (red) part of the spectrum. *Bulk 3D metamaterials with negative refraction have been developed. *Negative refraction in semiconductor based metamaterials has been shown. *Artificial metamagnetics across the entire visible part of the spectrum have been experimentally shown. *World's smallest SPASER-based nanolaser has been demonstrated *Nanolaser based on the hybrid gap mode confining light between a semiconductor amplifying nanostructure and a metal has been demonstrated *Theoretical prediction and experimental realization of magnifying far-field hyperlens *The carpet-cloak has been experimentally realized *Tunable magnetic metamaterials have been demonstrated. We have demonstrated by theories and experiments that nonlinear and electro-optical liquid crystals may be applied in enabling tuning capabilities to metamaterials over a very broad spectral regime from the visible to the infrared. We showed that by using laser induced order parameter as a means of modifying the nematic birefringence, the switching processes can be realized at microseconds nanoseconds speed. *We have designed, developed, and experimentally demonstrated several novel optical switching and modulation photonics devices based on liquid crystals infiltrated nano-plasmonic structures, where the laser induced plasmonic near fields, in conjunction with applied ac field give rise to novel optical switching, transmission and filtering operations that are not possible in passive plasmonic structures.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 21, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA572259
Entities
People
- Vladimir Shalaev
Organizations
- Purdue University