Tunable multilayer subwavelength metallic optical devices for polarization control and displacement sensing

0621944博士Ho Bun Chan，佛罗里达大学智力优势：该项目旨在构建和开发基于亚波长金属结构的光学器件，用于偏振控制和位移传感。本课程将探讨多层亚波长金属结构的光学特性，包括狭缝阵列与孔洞阵列。相邻的金属层被制造成彼此靠近以允许倏逝场的耦合。这种结构具有在其单层对应物中不存在的光学性质。例如，透射光的强度强烈依赖于金属层之间的横向偏移。一种提出的器件是半波片，其工作波长范围可以通过器件参数来定制，而不是受到材料特性的限制。由于其紧凑的尺寸和与平面制造的兼容性，它还允许与其他组件集成。强烈增强的倏逝场也将被用来提高位移的光学检测的灵敏度。其目的是实现平面内运动的灵敏度与平面外运动的干涉检测相当。所提出的研究的智力价值是由新的利用场增强和近场耦合的多层金属纳米结构的位移传感和偏振控制。了解复杂的多层金属纳米结构中的倏逝场的耦合是在设计光子器件，可能成为未来nano-optical system.Broader影响的重要组成部分的根本利益和实际意义：拟议的研究有望在创建一个新的一类紧凑的偏振控制设备，可以提高各种光学子系统的性能。涉及可变形亚波长金属纳米结构的传感器可以改善导航和制导系统中的惯性传感。参与该项目的学生将获得光学测量和器件制造方面的宝贵经验。该方案还包括代表性不足的群体的参与。

0621944Dr. Ho Bun Chan, University of FloridaIntellectual Merit: This project aims to construct and develop optical devices based on subwavelength metallic structures for polarization control and displacement sensing. Optical properties of multilayer subwavelength metallic structures, including slit arrays and hole arrays, will be explored. Adjacent metal layers are fabricated close to each other to allow the coupling of evanescent fields. Such structures possess optical properties that are not present in their single layer counterparts. For instance, the intensity of the transmitted light depends strongly on the lateral shift between the metal layers. One proposed device is a half wave plate whose operational wavelength range can be tailored by the device parameters instead of being limited by material properties. It also allows integration with other components due to its compact size and compatibility with planar fabrication. The strongly enhanced evanescent fields will also be exploited to improve the sensitivity of optical detection of displacement. The aim is to achieve sensitivities for in-plane motion that are comparable to interferometric detection for out of plane motion. The intellectual merit of the proposed research is determined by the novel utilization of the field enhancement and the near field coupling in multilayer metallic nanostructures for displacement sensing and polarization control. Understanding the coupling of evanescent fields in complex multi-layer metallic nanostructures is of fundamental interest and practical importance in designing photonic devices that could become important building blocks in future nano-optical systems.Broader Impacts: The proposed research holds promise in creating a new class of compact devices for polarization control that could enhance the performance of various optical subsystems. Transducers involving deformable subwavelength metallic nanostructures could lead to improvements in inertial sensing in navigation and guidance systems. Students participating in the proposed projects will gain invaluable experience in optical measurement and device fabrication. The program also includes participation of underrepresented groups.