Miguel Navarro-Cia

Bio: Miguel Navarro-Cia is an academic researcher from University of Birmingham. The author has contributed to research in topics: Metamaterial & Terahertz radiation. The author has an hindex of 34, co-authored 217 publications receiving 3465 citations. Previous affiliations of Miguel Navarro-Cia include University of Navarra & Universidad Pública de Navarra.

Third-harmonic-upconversion enhancement from a single semiconductor nanoparticle coupled to a plasmonic antenna

Abstract: The ability to convert low-energy quanta into a quantum of higher energy is of great interest for a variety of applications, including bioimaging, drug delivery and photovoltaics. Although high conversion efficiencies can be achieved using macroscopic nonlinear crystals, upconverting light at the nanometre scale remains challenging because the subwavelength scale of materials prevents the exploitation of phase-matching processes. Light-plasmon interactions that occur in nanostructured noble metals have offered alternative opportunities for nonlinear upconversion of infrared light, but conversion efficiency rates remain extremely low due to the weak penetration of the exciting fields into the metal. Here, we show that third-harmonic generation from an individual semiconductor indium tin oxide nanoparticle is significantly enhanced when coupled within a plasmonic gold dimer. The plasmonic dimer acts as a receiving optical antenna, confining the incident far-field radiation into a near field localized at its gap; the indium tin oxide nanoparticle located at the plasmonic dimer gap acts as a localized nonlinear transmitter upconverting three incident photons at frequency ω into a photon at frequency 3ω. This hybrid nanodevice provides third-harmonic-generation enhancements of up to 10(6)-fold compared with an isolated indium tin oxide nanoparticle, with an effective third-order susceptibility up to 3.5 × 10(3) nm V(-2) and conversion efficiency of 0.0007%. We also show that the upconverted third-harmonic emission can be exploited to probe the near-field intensity at the plasmonic dimer gap.

Multiresonant broadband optical antennas as efficient tunable nanosources of second harmonic light.

Abstract: We report the experimental realization of efficient tunable nanosources of second harmonic light with individual multiresonant log-periodic optical antennas. By designing the nanoantenna with a bandwidth of several octaves, simultaneous enhancement of fundamental and harmonic fields is observed over a broad range of frequencies, leading to a high second harmonic conversion efficiency, together with an effective second order susceptibility within the range of values provided by widespread inorganic crystals. Moreover, the geometrical configuration of the nanoantenna makes the generated second harmonic signal independent from the polarization of the fundamental excitation. These results open new possibilities for the development of efficient integrated nonlinear nanodevices with high frequency tunability.

Broadband spoof plasmons and subwavelength electromagnetic energy confinement on ultrathin metafilms

Abstract: A complementary split ring resonator (CSRR)-based metallic layer is proposed as a route to mimic surface plasmon polaritons. A numerical analysis of the textured surface is carried out and compared to previous prominent topologies such as metal mesh, slit array, hole array, and Sievenpiper mushroom surfaces, which are studied as well from a transmission line perspective. These well-documented geometries suffer from a narrowband response, alongside, in most cases, metal thickness constraint (usually of the order of λ/4) and non-subwavelength modal size as a result of the large dimensions of the unit cell (one dimensions is at least of the order of λ/2). All of these limitations are overcome by the proposed CSRR-based surface. Besides, a planar waveguide is proposed as a proof of the potential of this CSRR-based metallic layer for spoof surface plasmon polariton guiding. Fundamental aspects aside, the structure under study is easy to manufacture by simple PCB techniques and it is expected to provide good performance within the frequency band from GHz to THz.

Ultrasensitive Broadband Probing of Molecular Vibrational Modes with Multifrequency Optical Antennas

Abstract: Optical antennas represent an enabling technology for enhancing the detection of molecular vibrational signatures at low concentrations and probing the chemical composition of a sample in order to identify target molecules. However, efficiently detecting different vibrational modes to determine the presence (or the absence) of a molecular species requires a multispectral interrogation in a window of several micrometers, as many molecules present informative fingerprint spectra in the mid-infrared between 2.5 and 10 μm. As most nanoantennas exhibit a narrow-band response because of their dipolar nature, they are not suitable for such applications. Here, we propose the use of multifrequency optical antennas designed for operating with a bandwidth of several octaves. We demonstrate that surface-enhanced infrared absorption gains in the order of 105 can be easily obtained in a spectral window of 3 μm with attomolar concentrations of molecules, providing new opportunities for ultrasensitive broadband detection...

Broad-band near-infrared plasmonic nanoantennas for higher harmonic generation.

Abstract: We propose a broad-band near-infrared trapezoidal plasmonic nanoantenna, analyze it numerically using finite integration and difference time domain techniques, and explain qualitatively its performance via a multidipolar scenario as well as a conformal transformation. The plasmonic nanoantenna reported here intercepts the incoming light as if it were of cross-sectional area larger than double its actual physical size for a 1500 nm bandwidth expanding from the near-infrared to the visible spectrum. Within this bandwidth, it also confines the incoming light to its center with more than 1 order of magnitude field enhancement. This wide-band operation is achieved due to the overlapping of the different dipole resonances excited across the nanoantenna. We further demonstrate that the broad-band field enhancement leads to efficient third harmonic generation in a simplified wire trapezoidal geometry when a Kerr medium is introduced, due to the lightning rod effect at the fundamental and the Purcell effect at the...

I and i

Abstract: There is, I think, something ethereal about i —the square root of minus one. I remember first hearing about it at school. It seemed an odd beast at that time—an intruder hovering on the edge of reality. Usually familiarity dulls this sense of the bizarre, but in the case of i it was the reverse: over the years the sense of its surreal nature intensified. It seemed that it was impossible to write mathematics that described the real world in …

Light passing through subwavelength apertures

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

The 2017 terahertz science and technology roadmap

Abstract: Science and technologies based on terahertz frequency electromagnetic radiation (100 GHz–30 THz) have developed rapidly over the last 30 years. For most of the 20th Century, terahertz radiation, then referred to as sub-millimeter wave or far-infrared radiation, was mainly utilized by astronomers and some spectroscopists. Following the development of laser based terahertz time-domain spectroscopy in the 1980s and 1990s the field of THz science and technology expanded rapidly, to the extent that it now touches many areas from fundamental science to 'real world' applications. For example THz radiation is being used to optimize materials for new solar cells, and may also be a key technology for the next generation of airport security scanners. While the field was emerging it was possible to keep track of all new developments, however now the field has grown so much that it is increasingly difficult to follow the diverse range of new discoveries and applications that are appearing. At this point in time, when the field of THz science and technology is moving from an emerging to a more established and interdisciplinary field, it is apt to present a roadmap to help identify the breadth and future directions of the field. The aim of this roadmap is to present a snapshot of the present state of THz science and technology in 2017, and provide an opinion on the challenges and opportunities that the future holds. To be able to achieve this aim, we have invited a group of international experts to write 18 sections that cover most of the key areas of THz science and technology. We hope that The 2017 Roadmap on THz science and technology will prove to be a useful resource by providing a wide ranging introduction to the capabilities of THz radiation for those outside or just entering the field as well as providing perspective and breadth for those who are well established. We also feel that this review should serve as a useful guide for government and funding agencies.