Collective Coupling in Hybrid Plasmon Lattice-Exciton Materials
Abstract
Band structure engineering enables control over electronic and optical properties of periodic materials. In contrast to electrons bound in an atomic solid, photons in a periodic optical structure can couple to far-field radiation. Characteristics of the radiated photons-including the direction, intensity, phase, and polarization-have been neglected and thus limited translation in optical and light-emitting devices. Moreover, different from scalar-valued electronic wavefunctions, photonic systems support vector eigenstates. Studies on how the vector nature of the electromagnetic fields affects specific features of light radiation are needed. To explore the relationship between external radiated fields and localized fields, we propose to consider extended Brillouin zone (BZ) schemes that include both first and higher-order BZs. Unlike atomic crystals, where the first BZ can fully capture electronic eigenstates and inclusive properties, photonic modes consist of both localized fieldsinside the lattice and radiated fields in the surrounding, and the first BZ only accounts for the electromagnetic fields trapped in the lattice. How extended BZs may enable an understanding of radiated fields and localized fields is unknown because materials systems that can facilitate both light trapping and strong scattering are limited. This proposal aims to develop a programmable materials platform that builds on plasmonic nanoparticle lattices to study light radiation properties of photonic lattice structures and to engineer light-matter interactions in the collective coupling regime. Because these lattices can enable deep-subwavelength light confinement and also serve as far-field scatterers, this platform can provide both concentrated local fields near the nanoparticles and strong radiation outside the lattice. First, we will establish a geometric method based on the light cone and extended BZs as a physically intuitive model to predict the radiated electromagnetic fields from plasmonic nanoparticle lattices. Next, we will develop an analytical model to verify the geometric method and to gain insight into the radiation intensity distributions from the vector nature of electromagnetic fields (i.e. dipole orientations). Since the observation of high-order photonic modes is challenging because of large radiative losses, we propose to use lasing action to visualize the high-order BZ edges of plasmonic lattices. Leveraging light-cone SLR modes, we propose to study collectivecoupling in hybrid plasmon lattice-exciton materials. We anticipate that these unconventional material systems will enable new solutions to critical applications and facilitate prospects for high-performance nanoscale photonics devices. Major scientific outcomes include: (1) calculations and models that reveal how lattice dimension, geometry, and unit cells affect radiated electromagnetic fields from photonic lattices; (2) experimental identification of photonic lattice modes using nanoscale emitters as local probes; (3) photonic analogs of many-body quantum science phenomena; and (4) exquisite engineering of ultra-strong exciton-plasmon coupling. Major product outcomes include: (1) a method and model for predicting radiated electromagnetic fields of photonic lattice modes; (2) fabrication procedures to construct 2D and 3D plasmonic lattices; and (3) new optical characterization techniques that can measure angular emission intensity distributions and coherence properties of emitted photons.Approved for Public Release
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 06, 2021
- Source ID
- N000142112289
Entities
People
- Teri W. Odom
Organizations
- Northwestern University
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy