This review provides a perspective on the recent developments in transmission of light through subwavelength apertures metal films. The main focus is phenomenon extraordinary optical periodic hole arrays, discovered over decade ago. It shown that surface electromagnetic modes play key role emergence resonant transmission. These are also to be at root both enhanced and beaming found single surrounded by corrugations. describes theoretical experimental aspects subject. For clarity, physical...

We show that extraordinary light transmission of periodic subwavelength hole arrays, generally attributed to surface-plasmon resonances, is strongly influenced by the shape. Both experiments and calculations, based on a Fourier modal method, demonstrate shape change from circular rectangular increases normalized an order magnitude while area decreases. Moreover, spectra exhibit large redshifts ($\ensuremath{\sim}2500\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$). A comparison with...

We show the real-space observation of fast and slow pulses propagating inside a photonic crystal waveguide by time-resolved near-field scanning optical microscopy. Local phase group velocities modes are measured. For specific frequency we observe localized pattern associated with flat band in dispersion diagram. During at least 3 ps, movement this field is hardly discernible: its velocity would be most c/1000. The huge trapping times without use cavity reveal new perspectives for time...

We present a resonant optical nanoantenna positioned at the end of metal-coated glass fiber near-field probe. Antenna resonances, excitation conditions, and field localization are directly probed in near by single fluorescent molecules compared to finite integration technique simulations. It is shown that antenna equivalent its radio frequency analogue, monopole antenna. For right length local resonances occur lead an enhanced localized apex. Direct mapping this with reveals spatial 25 nm,...

The emergence of two-dimensional transition metal chalcogenide materials has sparked an intense activity in valleytronics since their valley information can be directly encoded and detected by using the spin angular momentum light. For practical applications such as on-chip logic gates chip-to-chip transport, encoding processing pseudospin light should extended to integrated, nanophotonic system. Here, we successfully demonstrate, at room temperature, valley-dependent directional coupling a...

Controlling photon emission by single emitters with nanostructures is crucial for scalable on-chip information processing. Nowadays, nanoresonators can affect the lifetime of linear dipole emitters, while nanoantennas steer direction. Expanding this control to orbital angular momentum-changing transitions would enable a future coupling between solid state and photonic qubits. As these are associated circular dipoles, such requires knowledge interaction complex optical eigenstates containing...

Topological protection in photonics offers new prospects for guiding and manipulating classical quantum information. The mechanism of spin-orbit coupling promises the emergence edge states that are helical, exhibiting unidirectional propagation is topologically protected against back scattering. We directly observe topological a photonic analog electronic materials spin Hall effect, living at interface between two silicon crystals with different order. Through far-field radiation inherent to...

By performing a full analysis of the projected local density states (LDOS) in photonic crystal waveguide, we show that phase plays crucial role symmetry light-matter interaction. considering quantum dot (QD) spin coupled to waveguide (PCW) mode, demonstrate interaction can be asymmetric, leading unidirectional emission and deterministic entangled photon source. Further understanding associated with both LDOS QD is essential for range devices realised PCW. We also how entanglement completely...

The effect of the aspect ratio rectangular holes on transmissivity periodic arrays subwavelength in optically thick metal films is investigated. found to be highly dependent holes. Moreover, wavelengths maximum show a monotonous shift as function We attribute enhanced transmission an interplay surface plasmons at and shape resonances (also known localized modes) inside importance was confirmed by comparison through hole randomly distributed Dispersion curves random existence resonance well....

We have improved the optical characteristics of aluminum-coated fiber probes used in near-field scanning microscopy by milling with a focused ion beam. This treatment produces flat-end face free aluminum grains, containing well-defined circularly-symmetric aperture controllable diameter down to 20 nm. The polarization behavior tips is circularly symmetric ratio exceeding 1:100. imaging are demonstrated measuring single molecule fluorescence. Count rates increase more than one order magnitude...

Light is an electromagnetic wave composed of oscillating electric and magnetic fields, the one never occurring without other. In light-matter interactions at optical frequencies, component light generally plays a negligible role. When we "see" or detect light, only its field perceived; are practically blind to component. We used concepts from metamaterials probe with engineered near-field aperture probe. visualized subwavelength resolution magnetic- electric-field distribution propagating light.

We investigate the focusing of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) excited with 1.5 µm light in a tapered Au waveguide on planar dielectric substrate by experiments and simulations.We find that nanofocusing can be obtained when asymmetric bound mode at side metal film is excited.The propagation concentration this to tip demonstrated.No sign cutoff width observed as SPPs propagate along waveguide.Simulations show such concentrating behavior not possible for excitation lowindex film.The enables...

The influence of hole shape on the nonlinear optical properties metallic subwavelength arrays is investigated. It found that amount second harmonics generated can be enhanced by changing shape. In part this increase a direct result effect linear transmission properties. Remarkably, in addition to enhancements follow directly from array, we find hot For rectangular holes effective response more than 1 order magnitude for one particular aspect ratio. This enhancement attributed slow...

Semiconductor nanowires of high purity and crystallinity hold promise as building blocks for miniaturized optoelectrical devices. Using scanning-excitation single-wire emission spectroscopy, with either a laser or an electron beam spatially resolved excitation source, we observe standing-wave exciton polaritons in ZnO at room temperature. The Rabi splitting between the polariton branches is more than 100 meV. dispersion curve modes nanowire substantially modified due to light-matter...

Slow light devices such as photonic crystal waveguides (PhCW) and coupled resonator optical (CROW) have much promise for signal processing applications a number of successful demonstrations underpinning this already been made.Most these are limited by propagation losses, especially higher group indices.These losses caused technological imperfections ("extrinsic loss") that cause scattering from the waveguide mode.The relationship between loss velocity is complex until now has not fully...

With a phase-sensitive near-field microscope we measure independently the two in-plane electric field components of light propagating through 2D photonic crystal waveguide and phase difference between them. Consequently, are able to reconstruct vector distribution with subwavelength resolution. In complex observe both time-dependent time-independent polarization singularities determine topology surrounding field.

Paradoxically, slow light promises to increase the speed of telecommunications in novel photonic structures, such as coupled resonators [1] and crystals [2,3]. Apart from signal delays, key consequence slowing down is enhancement light-matter interactions. Linear effects refractive index modulation scale linearly with slowdown [3], nonlinear are expected its square [4]. By directly observing spatial compression an optical pulse, by factor 25, we confirm mechanism underlying this scaling law....

We have studied the dispersion of ultrafast pulses in a photonic crystal waveguide as function optical frequency, both experiment and theory. With phase-sensitive time-resolved near-field microscopy, light was probed inside non-invasive manner. The effect on shape determined. As frequency decreased, group velocity decreased. Simultaneously, measured were broadened during propagation, due to an increase dispersion. On top that, exhibited strong asymmetric distortion propagation distance...

Solid-state nanopores are single-molecule sensors that hold great potential for rapid protein and nucleic-acid analysis. Despite their many opportunities, the conventional ionic current detection scheme is at heart of sensor suffers inherent limitations. This intrinsically couples signal strength to driving voltage, requires use high-concentration electrolytes, from capacitive noise, impairs high-density integration. Here, we propose a fundamentally different based on enhanced light...

Optical helicity density is usually discussed for monochromatic electromagnetic fields in free space. It plays an important role the interaction with chiral molecules or nanoparticles. Here we introduce optical a dispersive isotropic medium. Our definition consistent biorthogonal Maxwell electromagnetism media, Brillouin energy density, as well recently-introduced canonical momentum and spin of light media. We consider number examples, including waves dielectrics, negative-index materials,...