Manipulating light at the nanoscale with cooperative plasmonic-photonic hybridization

Huang, Qinglan

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/108096 Copy

Description

Title

Manipulating light at the nanoscale with cooperative plasmonic-photonic hybridization

Author(s)

Huang, Qinglan

Issue Date

2020-03-26

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Cunningham, Brian T

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Cunningham, Brian T

Committee Member(s)

• Dallesasse, John M
• Fang, Kejie
• Zhao, Yang

Department of Study

Electrical & Computer Eng

Discipline

Electrical & Computer Engr

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

• Plasmonics
• Photonic Crystal
• Light--Matter Interaction

Abstract

The focus of this thesis is to understand the highly cooperative hybridization between plasmonic and photonic optical resonances, and utilize it to localize, exploit and boost the interaction of light and molecules. At its heart is the nanoparticle on photonic crystal (NPoPC) construct, where metal NPs are placed on the surface of a resonant frequency matched dielectric photonic crystal slab. The delocalized photonic crystal guided resonance (PCGR) traps light for an extended lifetime, and the elevated optical field is further confined into nanoscale volumes via surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) in metal NPs. The antenna--cavity coupling produces a large field enhancement reaching 100,000 localized at the NPs, which has a narrow resonance linewidth (Q-factor~ 300) and a wide spectral tuning range (visible to near infrared). Mode hybridization leads to dramatic enhancements of photophysics and photochemical process of a nearby molecule, which is demonstrated in two examples. First, compared to a solitary NP, the PCGR-coupled NP can further amplify the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of molecules by two orders of magnitude. Second, through an enhanced excitation of energetic charge carriers, the PCGR-coupled NPs can efficiently transfer energy into nearby molecules and catalyze their chemical reactions at a higher rate. The synergy between two polar opposite types of nanophotonic resonant elements achieved in the NPoPC is unique. This work offers important physical insights on bridging the plasmonics and photonics realms, and opens up new opportunities in the exploration of novel phenomena such as sensing, nanochemistry, and quantum optics.

Graduation Semester

2020-05

Type of Resource

Thesis

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/108096

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2020 Qinglan Huang

Owning Collections