J. Roy Sambles

Bio: J. Roy Sambles is an academic researcher from University of Exeter. The author has contributed to research in topics: Surface plasmon & Surface wave. The author has an hindex of 15, co-authored 46 publications receiving 3246 citations. Previous affiliations of J. Roy Sambles include Defence Evaluation and Research Agency.

Photonic structures in biology

Abstract: Millions of years before we began to manipulate the flow of light using synthetic structures, biological systems were using nanometre-scale architectures to produce striking optical effects. An astonishing variety of natural photonic structures exists: a species of Brittlestar uses photonic elements composed of calcite to collect light, Morpho butterflies use multiple layers of cuticle and air to produce their striking blue colour and some insects use arrays of elements, known as nipple arrays, to reduce reflectivity in their compound eyes. Natural photonic structures are providing inspiration for technological applications.

Experimental Verification of Designer Surface Plasmons

Abstract: We studied the microwave reflectivity of a structured, near perfectly conducting substrate that was designed to verify the existence of a theoretically proposed new class of surface mode. Measurements of the mode's dispersion curve show that it correctly approaches the predicted asymptotic frequency; the curve also agrees well with that derived from a computer simulation. Modeling of the field distribution on resonance provides evidence of strong localization of the electric field at the interface and substantial power flow along the interface, thus verifying the surface plasmon-like nature of the mode.

Microwave surface-plasmon-like modes on thin metamaterials.

Abstract: It has recently been shown that the structured surface of a perfect conductor can support surface-plasmon-like modes [Pendry et al., Science 305, 847 (2004)]. Such structures have a thickness of at least the order of the wavelength. Here, using microwave wavelength radiation incident beyond the critical angle of a wax prism, we quantify the surface-plasmon-like dispersion for a metamaterial surface with a thickness very much smaller than the incident wavelength.

Sculpted-multilayer optical effects in two species of Papilio butterfly.

Abstract: The wing-scale microstructures associated with two species of Papilio butterfly are described and characterized. Despite close similarities in their structures, they do not exhibit analogous optical effects. With Papilio palinurus, deep modulations in its multilayering create bicolor reflectivity with strong polarization effects, and this leads to additive color mixing in certain visual systems. In contrast to this, Papilio ulysses features shallow multilayer modulation that produces monocolor reflectivity without significant polarization effects.

Squeezing millimeter waves into microns.

Abstract: Microstructured metallic devices will play a vital role in the continuing search to manipulate the passage of electromagnetic radiation relevant to optical, microwave, and communication technologies. Here, we investigate the electromagnetic response of a completely novel and ultrathin ( wavelength) structure within which is buried a metal-clad waveguiding layer (‘‘core’’) of subwavelength width. By removing metal from the core cladding to form a periodic array of slits, radiation is coupled into a standing wave within the layer and the structure resonantly absorbs or transmits radiation of wavelength more than 100 times its thickness. Additionally, such structures display the truly remarkable capability of compressing half of the standing-wave wavelength into a fraction of the expected distance. The discovery that metals perforated with arrays of subwavelength apertures can transmit more radiation than impinges directly upon the voids [1] has sparked a wealth of work to understand the underlying physics and develop potential applications (for example, Refs. [2 – 14]). Studies of the aforementioned transmission phenomena have thus far been restricted to single layer structures. Here we explore the electromagnetic response of structures formed from a closely spaced pair of parallel metal layers, at least one of which is perforated with an array of slits of subwavelength width.

Plasmonics: Fundamentals and Applications

Abstract: Fundamentals of Plasmonics.- Electromagnetics of Metals.- Surface Plasmon Polaritons at Metal / Insulator Interfaces.- Excitation of Surface Plasmon Polaritons at Planar Interfaces.- Imaging Surface Plasmon Polariton Propagation.- Localized Surface Plasmons.- Electromagnetic Surface Modes at Low Frequencies.- Applications.- Plasmon Waveguides.- Transmission of Radiation Through Apertures and Films.- Enhancement of Emissive Processes and Nonlinearities.- Spectroscopy and Sensing.- Metamaterials and Imaging with Surface Plasmon Polaritons.- Concluding Remarks.

Plasmonics: merging photonics and electronics at nanoscale dimensions.

Abstract: Electronic circuits provide us with the ability to control the transport and storage of electrons. However, the performance of electronic circuits is now becoming rather limited when digital information needs to be sent from one point to another. Photonics offers an effective solution to this problem by implementing optical communication systems based on optical fibers and photonic circuits. Unfortunately, the micrometer-scale bulky components of photonics have limited the integration of these components into electronic chips, which are now measured in nanometers. Surface plasmon-based circuits, which merge electronics and photonics at the nanoscale, may offer a solution to this size-compatibility problem. Here we review the current status and future prospects of plasmonics in various applications including plasmonic chips, light generation, and nanolithography.

Photonic structures in biology

Abstract: Millions of years before we began to manipulate the flow of light using synthetic structures, biological systems were using nanometre-scale architectures to produce striking optical effects. An astonishing variety of natural photonic structures exists: a species of Brittlestar uses photonic elements composed of calcite to collect light, Morpho butterflies use multiple layers of cuticle and air to produce their striking blue colour and some insects use arrays of elements, known as nipple arrays, to reduce reflectivity in their compound eyes. Natural photonic structures are providing inspiration for technological applications.

Surface Plasmons on Metal Nanoparticles: The Influence of Shape and Physical Environment

Abstract: The surface plasmon response of metal nanoparticles is studied for different shapes and physical environments. For polyhedral nanoparticles, the surface plasmon resonances are studied as a function of the number of faces and vertices. The modification of these surface plasmons by different surrounding media and the presence of a substrate or other nanoparticles is also discussed. We found that polyhedral nanoparticles composed with less faces show more surface plasmon resonances, and as the nanoparticle becomes more symmetric, the main surface plasmon resonance is blue-shifted. It is also found that the corners induce more surface plasmons in a wider energy range. In the presence of a substrate, multipolar plasmon resonances are induced, and as the nanoparticle approaches the substrate, such resonances are red-shifted. The interaction among nanoparticles also induces multipolar resonances, but they can be red or blue-shifted depending on the polarization of the external field.