Showing papers on "Near and far field published in 2002"

Observation of near-field coupling in metal nanoparticle chains using far-field polarization spectroscopy

Abstract: Far-field polarization spectroscopy on chains of Au nanoparticles reveals the existence of longitudinal (L) and transverse (T) plasmon-polariton modes. The experimental results provide support for the validity of a recently published dipole model for electromagnetic energy transfer below the diffraction limit along chains of closely spaced metal nanoparticles. The key parameters that govern the energy transport are determined for various interparticle spacings using measurements of the resonance frequencies of L and T modes, yielding a bandwidth of 1.4×10^14 rad/s and a maximum group velocity of vg=4.0×10^6 m/s for a 75 nm-spacing.

Focal Spots of Size λ / 23 Open Up Far-Field Florescence Microscopy at 33 nm Axial Resolution

Abstract: We report spots of excited molecules of 33 nm width created with focused light of lambda = 760 nm wavelength and conventional optics along the optic axis. This is accomplished by exciting the molecules with a femtosecond pulse and subsequent depletion of their excited state with red-shifted, picosecond-pulsed, counterpropagating, coherent light fields. The lambda/23 ratio constitutes what is to our knowledge the sharpest spatial definition attained with freely propagating electromagnetic radiation. The sub-diffraction spots enable for the first time far-field fluorescence microscopy with resolution at the tens of nanometer scale, as demonstrated in images of membranes of bacillus megaterium.

Nanophotonics: design, fabrication, and operation of nanometric devices using optical near fields

Abstract: This paper reviews progress in nanophotonics, a novel optical nanotechnology, utilizing local electromagnetic interactions between a few nanometric elements and an optical near field. A prototype of a nanophotonic integrated circuit (IC) is presented, in which the optical near field is used as a carrier to transmit a signal from one nanometric dot to another. Each section of this paper reviews theoretical and experimental studies carried out to assess the possibility of designing, fabricating, and operating each nanophotonic IC device. A key device, the nanophotonic switch, is proposed based on optical near-field energy transfer between quantum dots (QDs). The optical near-field interaction is expressed as the sum of the Yukawa function, and the oscillation period of the nutation of cubic CuCl QDs is estimated to be less than 100 ps. To guarantee one-directional (i.e., irreversible) energy transfer between two resonant levels of QDs, intrasublevel transitions due to phonon coupling are examined by considering a simple two-QD plus phonon heat bath system. As a result, the state-filling time is estimated as 22 ps for CuCl QDs. This time is almost independent of the temperature in the Born-Markov approximation. Using cubic CuCl QDs in a NaCl matrix as a test sample, the optical near-field energy transfer was experimentally verified by near-field optical spectroscopy with a spatial resolution smaller than 50 nm in the near-UV region at 15 K. This transfer occurs from the lowest state of excitons in 4.6-nm QDs to the first dipole-forbidden excited state of excitons in 6.3-nm QDs. To fabricate nanophotonic devices and ICs, chemical vapor deposition using an optical near field is proposed; this is sufficiently precise in controlling the size and position of the deposited material. A novel deposition scheme under nonresonant conditions is also demonstrated and its origin is discussed. In order to confirm the possibility of using a nanometric ZnO dot as a light emitter in a nanophotonic IC, spatially and spectrally resolved photoluminescence imaging of individual ZnO nanocrystallites was carried out with a spatial resolution as high as 55 nm, using a UV fiber probe, and the spectral shift due to the quantum size effect was found. To connect the nanophotonic IC to external photonic devices, a nanometer-scale waveguide was developed using a metal-coated silicon wedge structure. Illumination (wavelength: 830 nm) of the metal-coated silicon wedge (width: 150 nm) excites a TM plasmon mode with a beam width of 150 nm and propagation length of 2.5 /spl mu/m. A key device for nanophotonics, an optical near-field probe with an extremely high throughput, was developed by introducing a pyramidal silicon structure with localized surface plasmon resonance at the metallized probe tip. A throughput as high as 2.3% was achieved. Finally, as an application of nanophotonics to, a high-density, high-speed optical memory system, a novel contact slider with a pyramidal silicon probe array was developed. This slider was used for phase-change recording and reading, and a mark length as short as 110 nm was demonstrated.

Degree of polarization for optical near fields.

Abstract: We investigate an extension to the concept of degree of polarization that applies to arbitrary electromagnetic fields, i.e., fields whose wave fronts are not necessarily planar. The approach makes use of generalized spectral Stokes parameters that appear as coefficients, when the full 3 x 3 spectral coherence matrix is expanded in terms of the Gell-Mann matrices. By defining the degree of polarization in terms of these parameters in a manner analogous to the conventional planar-field case, we are led to a formula that consists of scalar invariants of the spectral coherence matrix only. We show that attractive physical insight is gained by expressing the three-dimensional degree of polarization explicitly with the help of the correlations between the three orthogonal spectral components of the electric field. Furthermore, we discuss the fundamental differences in characterizing the polarization state of a field by employing either the two- or the three-dimensional coherence-matrix formalism. The extension of the concept of the degree of polarization to include electromagnetic fields having structures of arbitrary form is expected to be particularly useful, for example, in near-field optics.

High-frequency near-field microscopy

Abstract: Conventional optics in the radio frequency (rf) through far-infrared (FIR) regime cannot resolve microscopic features since resolution in the far field is limited by wavelength. With the advent of near-field microscopy, rf and FIR microscopy have gained more attention because of their many applications including material characterization and integrated circuit testing. We provide a brief historical review of how near-field microscopy has developed, including a review of visible and infrared near-field microscopy in the context of our main theme, the principles and applications of near-field microscopy using millimeter to micrometer electromagnetic waves. We discuss and compare aspects of the remarkably wide range of different near-field techniques, which range from scattering type to aperture to waveguide structures.

Electro-optic detection of subwavelength terahertz spot sizes in the near field of a metal tip

Abstract: We report on a method to obtain a subwavelength resolution in terahertz time-domain imaging. In our method, a sharp copper tip is used to locally distort and concentrate the THz electric field. The distorted electric field, present mainly in the near field of the tip, is electro-optically measured in an (100) oriented GaP crystal. By raster scanning the tip along the surface of the crystal, we find the smallest THz spot size of 18 μm for frequencies from 0.1 to 2.5 THz. For our peak frequency of 0.15 THz, this corresponds to a resolution of λ/110. Our setup has the potential to reach a resolution down to a few μm.

Design of near-field optical probes with optimal field enhancement by finite difference time domain electromagnetic simulation

Abstract: We report the three-dimensional electromagnetic simulation of gold nanoparticles with specific geometries as a means to the rational design of apertureless near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) probes. Analytical solutions for field enhancement by spheroidal particles are used to provide physical insight for probe design. These solutions indicate that probes need to be not only sharp, but also finite in length in order to generate the highest field enhancement. Finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulations of gold particles illuminated by near infrared radiation are performed. Field enhancements for right trigonal pyramids are found to be size and wavelength dependent. Furthermore, the enhancements for these pyramidal particles are higher than for similar length conical particles, which in turn perform better than quasi-infinite conical probes. The particles we design with FDTD can be made using current nanofabrication techniques, and therefore hold great promise as apertureless NSOM probes. These right trigonal pyramids are particularly well suited for use in tip enhanced nonlinear optical microscopy or near-field Raman microscopy.

Near-field lenses in two dimensions

Abstract: It has been shown that a slab of materials with refractive index n = −1 behaves like a perfect lens focusing all light to an exact electromagnetic copy of an object. The original lens is limited to producing images the same size as the object, but here we generalize the concept so that images can be magnified. For two-dimensional systems, over distances much shorter than the free space wavelength, we apply conformal transformations to the original parallel-sided slab generating a variety of new lenses. Although the new lenses are not 'perfect' they are able to magnify two-dimensional objects. The results apply equally to imaging of electric or magnetic sub-wavelength objects in two dimensions. The concepts have potential applications ranging from microwave frequencies to the visible.

Optical near field generator

Abstract: An optical near field probe of high resolution and high efficiency is disclosed A near field light is generated using a tapered, plane scatterer formed on a substrate surface The intensity of the near field light is enhanced by making the area of the scatterer smaller than that of a light spot and by selecting the material, shape, and size of the scatterer so as to generate plasmon resonance An optical near field generator having a high light utilization efficiency can be obtained

Radiation forces on small particles in thermal near fields

Abstract: We study the optical forces due to the radiation of a thermal source. Our model consists of a particle modelled by a dipole above a half-space at temperature T. The fluctuating fields are computed using the Lifshitz model. We find two contributions to the force: a repulsive 'wind' component and a dispersive force mainly due to the contribution of thermally excited surface waves. It is found that for SiC material, the latter is repulsive in the very near field. The usual van der Waals force is larger by a factor of approximately ten for submicron size particles.

Gold elliptical nanoantennas as probes for near field optical microscopy

Abstract: We investigate the light scattering by individual nanometer-sized gold particles attached at the apex of fiber-based probes for near field optical microscopy. The dependence of the light scattering by the gold nanoparticle on the wavelength, the shape, and the surrounding medium dielectric profile are theoretically described and experimentally investigated, demonstrating that the tuning of the particle’s size and shape plays a crucial role in the light scattering process. In the case of gold spherical nanostructures, the plasmon resonance occurs at 540 nm in air, and 600 nm in water. A higher surrounding medium refraction index leads to a redshift of the plasmon resonance in the gold particle. Moreover, for elliptical structures, the orientation of the polarization of the incident field, as well as the relative ratio of the ellipse dimensions along its main axis, govern the position of the plasmon resonances. The light transmission spectrum for several probes where a single elliptical gold particle has be...

Calculation and analysis of electromagnetic scattering by helicopter rotating blades

Abstract: This paper describes an application of physical optics and the method of equivalent currents to the calculation of radar cross section (RCS) of a helicopter rotor. The problem is treated using a quasi-stationary approach. The calculation can be parameterized as a function of the locations of the radar transmitter and receiver in relation to the rotor center. Therefore, this offers the possibility of monostatic and bistatic simulations in the far field and near field. Blade geometry is taken into account using a triangular meshing generated by the I-DEAS meshing software. Digital applications are presented and the effects on the RCS spectrum of incidence, frequency, blade number, and the near field are analyzed.

Local excitation of surface plasmon polaritons at discontinuities of a metal film: Theoretical analysis and optical near-field measurements

Abstract: Nonresonant excitation of surface plasmon polaritons at discontinuities of a gold film is numerically studied and experimentally observed with scanning near-field optical microscopy. It is shown that surface polaritons can be effectively launched at the edges of a metal film illuminated at an angle of incidence greater than the resonant angle of surface polariton excitation. The electromagnetic near-field distribution over a thin metal film exhibits significantly different features under resonant and nonresonant excitations due to different surface polariton excitation mechanisms. In the latter case the field distribution is determined by the interference of the excitation light and surface polaritons launched on air-metal and glass-metal interfaces. In the former case the interference of surface polariton modes excited on different interfaces of a metal film is dominating. The modulation depths of the respective interference patterns correspond to the efficiency of the intensity conversion of the excitation light at the metal discontinuities into surface polaritons of the order of 0.1-0.01 depending on an angle of incidence.

Domain decomposition methods for the rapid electromagnetic simulation of photomask scattering

Abstract: An integrated methodology has been developed for computer simulation of electromagnetic scattering from large, nonperiodic, two- dimensional layouts of advanced photomasks (masks with optical prox- imity correction and phase-shifting masks). The domain decomposition method consists of three steps: First, by virtue of the linearity of the Kirchhoff-Fresnel diffraction integral, the mask layout is decomposed into a set of constituent single-opening masks. Second, the rigorous electromagnetic simulation of each three-dimensional structure from the set of these single-opening masks is circumvented and, instead, the re- sult for the scattered field is synthesized based on two two-dimensional rigorous electromagnetic simulations that model the mask geometry in two cross-sectional planes. Subsequently, compact equivalent source models are used to describe the scattered fields on a reference plane. These models are constructed in such a way as to minimize the error in the part of the diffraction spectrum that passes through the projection system, allowing accurate and efficient image simulation. The normal- ized mean square error of the near scattered field is typically a fraction of 1% and speed-up factors for the total simulation time in excess of 400 (compared with the rigorous mask model) are achieved. The use of a look-up table approach facilitates orders of magnitude of further speed improvement. © 2002 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.

Adaptive processing using a single snapshot for a nonuniformly spaced array in the presence of mutual coupling and near-field scatterers

Abstract: This paper presents an adaptive technique to extract the signal of interest (SOI) arriving from a known direction in the presence of strong interferers using a single snapshot of data. The antenna elements in this method can be nonuniformly spaced and there can be mutual coupling between them. In addition, near-field scatterers can also be present. First, the voltages induced in the antenna elements of the array due to interferers, mutual coupling between the elements, and near-field scatterers is preprocessed by applying a transformation matrix to these voltages through a rigorous electromagnetic analysis tool. This electromagnetic preprocessing technique transforms the voltages that are induced in a nonuniformly spaced array containing real antenna elements to a set of voltages that will be produced in a uniform linear virtual array (ULVA) containing omnidirectional isotropic point radiators. In the transformation matrix we would like to include various electromagnetic effects like mutual coupling between the antenna elements, presence of near-field scatterers and the platform effects on which the antenna array is mounted. This transformation matrix when applied to the actual measured voltages yields an equivalent set of voltages that will be induced in the ULVA. A direct data domain least squares adaptive algorithm is then applied to the processed voltages to extract the SOI in the presence of interferers. Limited numerical examples are presented to illustrate the novelty of the proposed method.

Near-field to far-field transition of photonic crystal fibers: symmetries and interference phenomena

Abstract: The transition from the near to the far field of the fundamental mode radiating out of a photonic crystal fiber is investigated experimentally and theoretically. It is observed that the hexagonal shape of the near field rotates two times by pi/6 when moving into the far field, and eventually six satellites form around a nearly gaussian far-field pattern. A semi-empirical model is proposed, based on describing the near field as a sum of seven gaussian distributions, which qualitatively explains all the observed phenomena and quantitatively predicts the relative intensity of the six satellites in the far field.

Electromagnetic method of liquid level monitoring

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring one or more parameters of a variable physical structure, such as liquid level, is disclosed The method and apparatus includes an electrodynamic element placed in proximity to a monitored structure and exciting within said element an alternating electromagnetic field The electromagnetic field should be at a frequency at which the electromagnetic field penetrates into the monitored structure and then variations of the electromagnetic field parameters are measured for the element caused by a variation in the structure The exciting of the electrodynamic element is by an electromagnetic field in the form of at least one slowed electromagnetic wave having suitable energy distribution of the electric and magnetic fields for the measuring of the electromagnetic field parameters

Electromagnetic wave speed in polar ice: validation of the common-midpoint technique with high-resolution dielectric-profiling and g-density measurements

Abstract: Abstract The accuracy of the travel-time–velocity and travel-time–depth profile derived from ground-penetrating radar (GPR) common-midpoint (CMP) surveys at different frequencies is investigated for the first time ever by direct comparison with the profile calculated from high-resolution dielectric-profiling (DEP) ice-core data. In addition, we compare two travel-time profiles calculated from ice-core density data by means of different dielectrical mixture models with the DEP-based profile. CMP surveys were carried out at frequencies of 25,50,100 and 200 MHz near the new European deep-drilling site DML05 in Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica, during the 1998/99 field season. An improved scanning capacitor for high-resolution DEP and a γ-densiometer for density measurements were used to determine the complex dielectric constant and the density at 5 mm increments along the ice core B32, retrieved in 1997/98 at DML05. The comparisons with DEP- and density-based velocity series show that the CMP velocity series are slightly higher but asymptotically approach the core-based velocities with depth. Root-mean-square differences of the DEP velocity series range between 8% for the 25 MHz CMP and 2% in the case of the 200 MHz survey. Density-based velocities differ from the DEP velocities by 51 %. The travel-time–depth series calculated from the interval velocities show a better agreement between all series than the velocity series. Differences are 5.7–1.4% for the 25 and 200 MHz CMP measurements, and <0.6% for the density data. Based on these comparisons, we evaluate the accuracy with which the depth of electromagnetic reflectors observed in common-offset profiles can be determined, and discuss reasons for the observed differences between CMP- and core-based profiles. Moreover, we compare the errors determined from the field measurements with those estimated from GPR system characteristics to provide a measure that can be used to estimate the accuracy of GPR analyses for the planning of GPR campaigns. Our results show that CMP surveys are a useful technique to determine the depth of radar reflectors in combination with common-offset measurements, especially on a region-wide basis.

Nano-aperture with 1000x power throughput enhancement for very small aperture laser system (VSAL)

Abstract: Very Small Aperture Laser (VSAL) system is a near field optical data storage system that utilizes a nano-aperture fabricated at the front facet of a semiconductor laser to define a nano-sized spot and hence to achieve ultra-high density storage. However, these nano-apertures typically have very poor power throughput behavior when the sizes of the apertures are much smaller than the wavelength of the incident light. In this paper, we use numerical simulation tool XFDTD, which is a three-dimensional vector electro-magnetic field simulator based on the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method, to study the behavior of the nano-apertures. We show that for square apertures, the power throughput decays as r4 (r is the size of the aperture) when the aperture size r is less than lamda/4 (lamda is the incident light wavelength). To solve the power throughput shortage problem, we present our novel nano-aperture design -'C'-aperture. Compared with a conventional 100nm square aperture, the 'C'-aperture provides 1000x higher power throughput while maintaining a comparable near field spot size. We show that the greatly enhanced power throughput is due to both the polarization and resonance effects.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Near-field second-harmonic generation at a metal tip apex

Abstract: Second-harmonic generation at a gold tip apex has been studied within the context of applications in apertureless scanning near-field microscopy. Polarization and distance dependencies of second-harmonic generation have been investigated and compared to respective dependencies for scattered fundamental light. The results shows that, in general, different topological features of a tip are responsible for scattering and second-harmonic generation in the far and near field. The near-field interaction between a probe tip and a surface significantly modifies enhancement of the electromagnetic field at the tip and results in different distance dependencies of near-field scattering and second-harmonic generation. The polarization contrast obtained with the second-harmonic signal significantly exceeds the polarization contrast of linear scattering from the tip.

A circuital approach to evaluating the electromagnetic field on rectangular apertures backed by rectangular cavities

Abstract: In this paper, the problem of evaluating the electromagnetic field on rectangular apertures backed by rectangular cavities is investigated. The electromagnetic-field distribution is derived by using a circuital model of an aperture and suitable forcing terms introduced into the equations related to the aperture model. The effects of a rectangular cavity on the aperture-field distribution are assessed by considering the rectangular cavity as a load impedance. The impedance value is obtained by modeling the rectangular cavity as a length of rectangular waveguide back-ended by a short. The distribution of the electromagnetic field on the aperture is used as an exciting source to evaluate, through a modal expansion, the electromagnetic field inside the cavity. Numerical simulations are in a good agreement with both other theoretical models and experimental data.

Planar Log-Periodic Antennas on Extended Hemishperical Silicon Lenses for Millimeter/Submillimeter Wave Detection Applications

Abstract: In this paper, the radiation properties of log-periodic (LP) antennas on extended hemispherical dielectric lenses are investigated. The starting point is the far field pattern for the log-periodic antenna on a semi-infinite silicon substrate obtained from numerical simulation. Then the effects of extended hemispherical silicon dielectric lenses on this far field pattern are evaluated using ray tracing and field integration techniques. The far fields patterns out of the lenses are derived as a function of the extension length (L), from which the optimum L can be determined. The coupling efficiencies of the pattern to Gaussian beams are also calculated. The computation results show that the log-periodic antennas have good performance in terms of impedance and pattern and can be used in many submillimeter/THz systems. The simulation methods are verified by comparing the simulation results with experimental data from literature. The utilized approach represents an effective method for log periodic antenna-lens system design at millimeter/submillimeter wavelengths.

Near field in the vicinity of wireless base-station antennas: an exposure compliance approach

Abstract: Great social concern has risen about the potential health hazard of living near a cellular telephony base-station antenna, and certain technical questions have been posed on the appropriate way to measure exposure in its vicinity. In this paper, a standard spherical near-near field transformation is proposed to obtain the electromagnetic field close to the antenna in free space conditions. The field obtained in this way allows us to define an exclusion zone from the exposure compliance point of view, but also makes it possible to bound the error committed by standard field measurement procedures. Furthermore, the visualization of the electromagnetic field in the proximity of the antenna in free space conditions, allows us to define clearance templates that have to be met in the siting of the antenna in complex environments in order not to obstruct its main beam.

Optical apparatuses using the near-field light

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide optical apparatuses using the near-field light where high spatial resolution and high sensitivity are made compatible. Highly intense near-field light is generated in a narrow area using localized plasmons that are produced in a metal pattern 106 in the shape that bears anisotropy and is made to irradiate a measured subject. The direction of polarization 104 of incident light 103 is modulated and signal light is subjected to synchronous detection, so that background light is removed and high sensitivity is achieved.

Near-field probing of active photonic-crystal structures

Abstract: We report a study of the optical near field of an active integrated component operating near the 1.55‐µm telecommunications wavelength. The device is based on a two-dimensional photonic crystal etched in a suspended InP membrane. Topographic as well as optical information is collected by use of a scanning near-field optical microscope in collection mode, providing information about the local distribution of the losses.

Novel On-wafer Radiation Pattern Measurement Technique for MEMS Actuator Based Reconfigurable Patch Antennas

Abstract: The paper presents a novel on-wafer, antenna far field pattern measurement technique for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) based reconfigurable patch antennas. The measurement technique significantly reduces the time and the cost associated with the characterization of printed antennas, fabricated on a semiconductor wafer or dielectric substrate. To measure the radiation patterns, the RF probe station is modified to accommodate an open-ended rectangular waveguide as the rotating linearly polarized sampling antenna. The open-ended waveguide is attached through a coaxial rotary joint to a Plexiglas(Trademark) arm and is driven along an arc by a stepper motor. Thus, the spinning open-ended waveguide can sample the relative field intensity of the patch as a function of the angle from bore sight. The experimental results include the measured linearly polarized and circularly polarized radiation patterns for MEMS-based frequency reconfigurable rectangular and polarization reconfigurable nearly square patch antennas, respectively.

Plasma filter antenna system

Abstract: An antenna system for receiving electromagnetic waves of predetermined frequency range is disclosed comprising an antenna configured for receiving electromagnetic waves; and a plasma filter configured for reflecting a first electromagnetic frequency emitted from a remote source, while at the same time passing a second electromagnetic frequency, such that one of the first electromagnetic frequency and the second electromagnetic frequency is received by the antenna. The electromagnetic wave filter can comprise a power medium positioned with respect to a region of space; a composition disposed within the region of space for forming a plasma; an energy source electromagnetically coupled to the power medium such that a plasma may be formed in the region of space; and a control mechanism for varying plasma density within the region of space, wherein the plasma density will reflect a first electromagnetic frequency emitted from a remote source, while at the same time passing a second electromagnetic frequency.

General vectorial decomposition of electromagnetic fields with application to propagation-invariant and rotating fields.

Abstract: A novel decomposition of the transversal part of the electric field vector of a general non-paraxial electromagnetic field is presented, which is an extension of the radial/aximuthal decomposition and is known as gammazeta decomposition. Purely gamma and zeta polarized fields are examined and the decomposition is applied to propagation-invariant, rotating, and self-imaging electromagnetic fields. An experimental example on the effect of state of polarization in the propagation characteristics of the field: its is shown that a simple modification of the polarization conditions of the angular spectrum converts a self-imaging field into a propagation-invariant field.