Showing papers on "Slow light published in 2022"

Analogue of electromagnetically induced transparency in square slotted silicon metasurfaces supporting bound states in the continuum

Abstract: In this work, a silicon metasurface designed to support electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) based on quasi-bound states in the continuum (qBIC) is proposed and theoretically demonstrated in the near-infrared spectrum. The metasurface consists of a periodic array of square slot rings etched in a silicon layer. The interruption of the slot rings by a silicon bridge breaks the symmetry of the structure producing qBIC stemming from symmetry-protected states, as rigorously demonstrated by a group theory analysis. One of the qBIC is found to behave as a resonance-trapped mode in the perturbed metasurface, which obtains very high quality factor values at certain dimensions of the silicon bridge. Thanks to the interaction of the sharp qBIC resonances with a broadband bright background mode, sharp high-transmittance peaks are observed within a low-transmittance spectral window, thus producing a photonic analogue of EIT. Moreover, the resonator possesses a simple bulk geometry with channels that facilitate the use in biosensing. The sensitivity of the resonant qBIC on the refractive index of the surrounding material is calculated in the context of refractometric sensing. The sharp EIT-effect of the proposed metasurface, along with the associated strong energy confinement may find direct use in emerging applications based on strong light-matter interactions, such as non-linear devices, lasing, biological sensors, optical trapping, and optical communications.

Polarization-controlled and symmetry-dependent multiple plasmon-induced transparency in graphene-based metasurfaces.

Abstract: In this paper, we theoretically and numerically demonstrate a polarization-controlled and symmetry-dependent multiple plasmon-induced transparency (PIT) in a graphene-based metasurface. The unit cell of metasurface is composed of two reversely placed U-shaped graphene nanostructures and a rectangular graphene ring stacking on a dielectric substrate. By adjusting the polarization of incident light, the number of transparency windows can be actively modulated between 1 and 2 when the nanostructure keeps a geometrical symmetry with respect to the x-axis. Especially, when the rectangular graphene ring has a displacement along the y-direction, the number of transparency windows can be arbitrarily switched between 2 and 3. The operation mechanism behind the phenomena can be attributed to the near-field coupling and electromagnetic interaction between the bright modes excited in the unit of graphene resonators. Moreover, the electromagnetic simulations obtained by finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method agree well with the theoretical results based on the coupled modes theory (CMT). In addition, as applications of the designed nanostructure, we also study the modulation degrees of amplitude, insertion loss and group index of transmission spectra for different Fermi energies, which demonstrates an excellent synchronous switch functionality and slow light effect at multiple frequencies. Our designed metasurface may have potential applications in mid-infrared optoelectronic devices, such as optical switches, modulators, and slow-light devices, etc.

Terahertz multimode modulator based on tunable triple-plasmon-induced transparency in monolayer graphene metamaterials.

Abstract: A simple monolayer graphene metamaterial based on silicon/silica substrates is proposed, and typical triple-plasmon-induced transparency (PIT) is realized in the terahertz band. The physical mechanism is analyzed by coupled mode theory (CMT), and the results of CMT agree well with the finite-difference time-domain simulation. A multimode electro-optical switch can be designed by dynamic tuning, and the modulation degrees of its resonant frequencies are 84.0%, 87.3%, 83.0%, 88.1%, and 76.7%. In addition, triple-PIT gradually degenerates into dual-PIT with a decrease in the length of one bright mode. Interestingly, the group index can reach 770 at Ef=0.8eV, which shows that it can be designed as a slow light device with extraordinary ability. Therefore, the results of this paper are of great significance to the research and design of electro-optical switches and slow light devices in the terahertz band.

Dynamically Tunable Electromagnetically Induced Transparency-Like Effect in Terahertz Metamaterial Based on Graphene Cross Structures

Abstract: A simple and multi-layer metamaterial made of graphene to realize excellent manipulation of EIT-like effect is proposed. The unit cell consists of four layers: Substrate 1, Cross 1, Substrate 2 and Cross 2, which can obtain tunable EIT-like effect by adjusting the Fermi level of graphene. The surface current distributions of four different views clearly explain the underlying physical mechanism. A three-level Λ-type system is employed to describe the coupling process between Cross 1 and 2. The calculated transmission spectra based on two-particle model have great agreement with the simulated transmission spectra. In addition, the effects of geometrical parameters on EIT-like effect are discussed and wideband EIT-like effect with high transmission can be obtained by adjusting the lengths of Cross 1 and 2. Also, the polarization-insensitive character of EIT-like metamaterial is confirmed by the transmission spectra under different polarization angles. The maximum of group delay (25.48 ps) is far greater than the group delay of previously reported EIT-like metamaterials. Our study provides a novel way for the development of slow-light devices and modulators.

Optical Pulse Compression Assisted by High‐Q Time‐Modulated Transmissive Metasurfaces

Abstract: In this paper, based on the recently introduced concept of time‐varying media, an alternative approach is presented for controlling the compression ratio of an optical pulse in the near‐infrared regime via two all‐dielectric transmissive metasurfaces consisting of a zigzag array of silicon‐based elliptical nanodisks. Upon introducing in‐plane asymmetries and under normal incidence, the supported symmetry‐protected bound‐state in the continuum resonant mode collapses into two Fano resonances, which can be spectrally overlapped to satisfy the first Kerker's condition. To acquire an amplified signal, the desired chirp is applied to the incident pulse via a purely temporal waveform that modulates the optical response of the first layer, while the required group delay dispersion is imparted to the phase‐modulated pulse by the second metasurface in order to compress its temporal distribution. Following such a configuration, the temporal duration of the output pulse decreases from 25 to 15 ps, leading to a peak intensity enhancement of 50%. On account of time‐varying features of the first metasurface, the instantaneous frequency of the chirped light can be controlled dynamically, giving rise to the active tuning of the peak intensity from 0% up to 200%.

Quadruple plasmon-induced transparency and tunable multi-frequency switch in monolayer graphene terahertz metamaterial

Abstract: A monolayer graphene metamaterial composed of a graphene block and four graphene strips, which has the metal-like properties in terahertz frequency range, is proposed to generate an outstanding quadruple plasmon-induced transparency (PIT). Additional analyses show that the forming physical mechanism of the PIT with four transparency windows can be explained by strong destructive interference between the bright mode and the dark mode, and the distributions of electric field intensity and electric field vectors under the irradiation of the incident light. Coupled mode theory and finite-difference time-domain method are employed to study the spectral response characteristics of the proposed structure, and the theoretical and simulated results are in good agreement. It is found that a tunable multi-frequency switch and excellent optical storage can be achieved in the wide PIT window. The maximum modulation depth is up to 99.7%, which corresponds to the maximum extinction ratio of 25.04 dB and the minimum insertion loss of 0.19 dB. In addition, the time delay is as high as 0.919 ps, the corresponding group refractive index is up to 2755. Thus, the proposed structure provides a new method for the design of terahertz multi-frequency switches and slow light devices.

Multi-frequency switch and excellent slow light based on tunable triple plasmon-induced transparency in bilayer graphene metamaterial

Abstract: We propose a novel bilayer graphene terahertz metamaterial composed of double graphene ribbons and double graphene rings to excite a dynamically adjustable triple plasma-induced transparency (PIT) effect. The coupled mode theory (CMT) is used to explain the PIT phenomenon, and the results of the CMT and the finite-difference time-domain simulation show high matching degree. By adjusting the Fermi levels of graphene, we have realized a penta-frequency asynchronous optical switch. The performance of this switch, which is mainly manifested in the maximum modulation depth (MD = 99.97%) and the minimum insertion loss (IL = 0.33 dB), is excellent. In addition, we have studied the slow-light effect of this triple-PIT and found that when the Fermi level of graphene reaches 1.2 eV, the time delay can reach 0.848 ps. Therefore, this metamaterial provides a foundation for the research of multi-frequency optical switches and excellent slow-light devices in the terahertz band.

Topological Slow Light Rainbow Trapping and Releasing Based on Gradient Valley Photonic Crystal

Abstract: Slow light topological photonic crystal waveguide offers an attractive platform for enhancing light-matter interaction. We design a slow light rainbow trapping based on translational valley photonic crystal waveguides constructed by a gradient interface width. Through theoretical analysis and numerical calculation, the resulting structure supports topologically protected edge states at different frequencies. The edge state can be slowed down to zero group velocity and trapped at different positions. Moreover, the switch between slow light trapped states and transport states can be easily realized by tuning the structural parameter. Our work can help open up a new avenue to control the flow of light and find great potential for applications such as optical buffers and wavelength-division multiplexing.

Slowing down light in a qubit metamaterial

Abstract: The rapid progress in quantum information processing leads to a rising demand for devices to control the propagation of electromagnetic wave pulses and to ultimately realize universal and efficient quantum memory. While in recent years, significant progress has been made to realize slow light and quantum memories with atoms at optical frequencies, superconducting circuits in the microwave domain still lack such devices. Here, we demonstrate slowing down electromagnetic waves in a superconducting metamaterial composed of eight qubits coupled to a common waveguide, forming a waveguide quantum electrodynamics system. We analyze two complementary approaches, one relying on dressed states of the Autler–Townes splitting and the other based on a tailored dispersion profile using the qubits tunability. Our time-resolved experiments show reduced group velocities of down to a factor of about 1500 smaller than in vacuum. Depending on the method used, the speed of light can be controlled with an additional microwave tone or an effective qubit detuning. Our findings demonstrate high flexibility of superconducting circuits to realize custom band structures and open the door to microwave dispersion engineering in the quantum regime.

Guiding-mode-assisted double-BICs in an all-dielectric metasurface.

Abstract: The electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) effect realized in a metasurface is potential for slow light applications for its extreme dispersion variation in the transparency window. Herein, we propose an all-dielectric metasurface to generate a double resonance-trapped quasi bound states in the continuum (BICs) in the form of EIT or Fano resonance through selectively exciting the guiding modes with the grating. The group delay of the EIT is effectively improved up to 2113 ps attributing to the ultrahigh Q-factor resonance carried by the resonance-trapped quasi-BIC. The coupled harmonic oscillator model and a full multipole decomposition are utilized to analyze the physical mechanism of EIT-based quasi-BIC. In addition, the BIC based on Fano and EIT resonance can simultaneously exist at different wavelengths. These findings provide a new feasible platform for slow light devices in the near-infrared region.

Ultraslow light realization using an interacting Bose–Einstein condensate trapped in a shallow optical lattice

Abstract: In this article, we propose an experimentally feasible scheme for the ultraslow light realization based on the optomechanically induced transparency (OMIT) phenomenon using a hybrid optomechanical system consisting of a one-dimensional Bose-Einstein condensate trapped in a shallow optical lattice considering the nonlinear effect of atom-atom interaction. It is shown how the system can switch from the normal mode splitting to the OMIT regime by manipulation of the s-wave scattering frequency of atomic collisions when the cavity is pumped at a fixed rate. Then, it is shown that an ultraslow light with a time delay more than 150 ms corresponding to a group velocity about 1 mm/s is achievable by controlling the optical lattice depth as well as the strength of atom-atom interaction and the number of atoms. Importantly, such an ultraslow light is detectable in the output of the cavity since it occurs in the frequency region of coupling-probe detuning where the reflection coefficient of the cavity is maximum.

Dual-band electromagnetically induced transparent metamaterial with slow light effect and energy storage

Abstract: The realization of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) on metamaterials has special properties, such as strong slow-light, frequency-selection and so on, which have allowed EIT to be widely used in the fields of slow-light, optical storages and filters. In this paper, a metamaterial with two pairs of split ring resonators and one cut-wire is designed to achieve dual-band EIT effect at 0.5–2.14 GHz and 0.4–2.10 GHz with independently tunable bandwidths of 1.64 GHz and 2.7 GHz, respectively. The coupled Lorentz model is adopted to principally study the coupling characteristics between dark and bright modes. It is shown that the coupling strength between the dark and bright modes could be modulated by the coupling distance, which make the dual-band transparent window could be independently modulated by only changing the coupling distance between the bright and dark mode. The group delay and energy storage are also simulated by setting the Gaussian pulse signal passing through the EIT structure. The results show that the group delay of the designed EIT structure is 16.9 times that of the same thickness of dielectric material. The manufactured metamaterial is tested in a microwave anechoic chamber. The experimental and theoretical results are well consistent. These results could be beneficial for the development of EIT research toward some up-and-coming novel slow-light, optical storage, sensor and optical filter applications.

Observation of slow light in glide-symmetric photonic-crystal waveguides

Abstract: We report optical transmission measurements on suspended silicon photonic-crystal waveguides, where one side of the photonic lattice is shifted by half a period along the waveguide axis. The combination of this glide symmetry and slow light leads to a strongly enhanced chiral light-matter interaction but the interplay between slow light and backscattering has not been investigated experimentally in such waveguides. We build photonic-crystal resonators consisting of glide-symmetric waveguides terminated by reflectors and use transmission measurements as well as evanescent coupling to map out the dispersion relation. We find excellent agreement with theory and measure group indices exceeding 90, implying significant potential for applications in slow-light devices and chiral quantum optics. By measuring resonators of different length, we assess the role of backscattering induced by fabrication imperfections and its intimate connection to the group index.

High-Q and tunable analog of electromagnetically induced transparency in terahertz all-dielectric metamaterial.

Abstract: We propose a novel all-dielectric metamaterial (ADMM), to the best of our knowledge, with a simple structure to achieve the analog of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in the terahertz range. The ADMM is constructed by unit cells with two same silicon bar resonators on a quartz substrate. By breaking the symmetrical array of silicon resonators, the guided-mode resonance can be excited in the substrate, and the destructive interference between a broadband electric-dipole resonance and a narrowband guided-mode resonance gives rise to an EIT-like response. The EIT window can reach a high quality factor (Q-factor) over 1500 by carefully adjusting the asymmetry degree within the unit cell. A dynamically tunable ADMM was further developed by employing photoactive doped silicon. By varying the carrier density of the doped silicon through optical pump, the strength of the EIT-like resonance can be actively modulated, enabling an on-to-off switch of the slow-light effect. The designed ADMM can achieve a high-Q EIT-like response and dynamic modulation, which may give potential applications in bio/chemical sensing, optical switching, and slow-light devices.

Dynamically Tunable Electromagnetically Induced Transparency-Like Effect in Terahertz Metamaterial Based on Graphene Cross Structures

Abstract: A simple and multi-layer metamaterial made of graphene to realize excellent manipulation of EIT-like effect is proposed. The unit cell consists of four layers: Substrate 1, Cross 1, Substrate 2 and Cross 2, which can obtain tunable EIT-like effect by adjusting the Fermi level of graphene. The surface current distributions of four different views clearly explain the underlying physical mechanism. A three-level Λ-type system is employed to describe the coupling process between Cross 1 and 2. The calculated transmission spectra based on two-particle model have great agreement with the simulated transmission spectra. In addition, the effects of geometrical parameters on EIT-like effect are discussed and wideband EIT-like effect with high transmission can be obtained by adjusting the lengths of Cross 1 and 2. Also, the polarization-insensitive character of EIT-like metamaterial is confirmed by the transmission spectra under different polarization angles. The maximum of group delay (25.48 ps) is far greater than the group delay of previously reported EIT-like metamaterials. Our study provides a novel way for the development of slow-light devices and modulators.

Plasmonic-Induced Transparencies in an Integrated Metaphotonic System

Abstract: In this contribution, we numerically demonstrate the generation of plasmonic transparency windows in the transmission spectrum of an integrated metaphotonic device. The hybrid photonic–plasmonic structure consists of two rectangular-shaped gold nanoparticles fully embedded in the core of a multimode dielectric optical waveguide, with their major axis aligned to the electric field lines of transverse electric guided modes. We show that these transparencies arise from different phenomena depending on the symmetry of the guided modes. For the TE0 mode, the quadrupolar and dipolar plasmonic resonances of the nanoparticles are weakly coupled, and the transparency window is due to the plasmonic analogue of electromagnetically induced transparency. For the TE1 mode, the quadrupolar and dipolar resonances of the nanoparticles are strongly coupled, and the transparency is originated from the classical analogue of the Autler–Townes effect. This analysis contributes to the understanding of plasmonic transparency windows, opening new perspectives in the design of on-chip devices for optical communications, sensing, and signal filtering applications.

Polarization-independent tunable terahertz slow light with electromagnetically induced transparency metasurface

Abstract: Tunable slow light systems have gained much interests recently due to their efficient control of strong light–matter interactions as well as their huge potential for realizing tunable device applications. Here, a dynamically tunable polarization independent slow light system is experimentally demonstrated via electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in a terahertz (THz) metasurface constituted by plus and dimer-shaped resonators. Optical pump-power dependent THz transmissions through the metasurface samples are studied using the optical pump THz probe technique. Under various photoexcitations, the EIT spectra undergo significant modulations in terms of its resonance line shapes (amplitude and intensity contrast) leading to dynamic tailoring of the slow light characteristics. Group delay and delay bandwidth product values are modulated from 0.915 ps to 0.42 ps and 0.059 to 0.025 as the pump fluence increases from 0 to 62.5 nJ cm−2. This results in tunable slow THz light with group velocities ranging from 2.18 × 105 m s−1 to 4.76 × 105 m s−1, almost 54% change in group velocity. The observed tuning is attributed to the photo-induced modifications of the optoelectronic properties of the substrate layer. The demonstrated slow light scheme can provide opportunities for realizing dynamically tunable slow light devices, delay lines, and other ultrafast devices for THz domain.

High-sensitive refractive index sensing and excellent slow light based on tunable triple plasmon-induced transparency in monolayer graphene based metamaterial

Abstract: A patterned monolayer graphene metamaterial structure consisting of six graphene blocks and two graphene strips is proposed to generate triple plasmon-induced transparency (PIT). Triple-PIT can be effectively modulated by Fermi levels of graphene. The theoretically calculated results by coupled mode theory show a high matching degree with the numerically simulated results by finite-difference time-domain. Intriguingly, the high-sensitive refractive index sensing and excellent slow-light performance can be realized in the proposed graphene metamaterial structure. The sensitivity (S) and figure of merit can reach up to 5.7115 THz RIU−1 and 116.32, respectively. Moreover, the maximum group refractive index is 1036. Hence, these results may provide a new idea for designing graphene-based sensors and slow light devices.

Actively Controllable Terahertz Metal–Graphene Metamaterial Based on Electromagnetically Induced Transparency Effect

Abstract: A metal–graphene metamaterial device exhibiting a tunable, electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) spectral response at terahertz frequencies is investigated. The metamaterial structure is composed of a strip and a ring resonator, which serve as the bright and dark mode to induce the EIT effect. By employing the variable conductivity of graphene to dampen the dark resonator, the response frequency of the device shifts dynamically over 100 GHz, which satisfies the convenient post-fabrication tunability requirement. The slow-light behavior of the proposed device is also analyzed with the maximum group delay of 1.2 ps. The sensing performance is lastly studied and the sensitivity can reach up to 100 GHz/(RIU), with a figure of merit (FOM) value exceeding 4 RIU−1. Therefore, the graphene-based metamaterial provides a new miniaturized platform to facilitate the development of terahertz modulators, sensors, and slow-light applications.

Photonic Moiré lattice waveguide with a large slow light bandwidth and delay-bandwidth product.

Abstract: We proposed an effective approach to enlarge the slow light bandwidth and normalized-delay-bandwidth product in an optimized moiré lattice-based photonic crystal waveguide that exhibits intrinsic mid-band characteristics. A flatband corresponding to a nearly constant group index of 34 over a wide bandwidth of 82 nm centered at 1550 nm with near-zero group velocity dispersion was achieved. A large normalized-delay-bandwidth product of 0.5712 with a relative dispersion of 0.114%/µm was obtained, which is a significant improvement if compared with previous results. Our results indicate that the photonic moiré lattice waveguide could advance slow light applications.

Tunable terahertz group slowing effect with plasmon-induced transparency metamaterial.

Abstract: We present a tunable plasmon-induced transparency (PIT) metamaterial for manipulating the group velocity of terahertz (THz) waves. The metamaterial is composed of metal split rings and photoconductive silicon strips. The strong PIT effect with slowing down THz waves is generated by the bright-bright mode coupling between the high-order plasmon mode and the lattice surface mode via electromagnetic destructive interference. By varying the conductivity of silicon strips, the group slowing performance is dynamically tunable. The group delay can achieve beyond 20 ps with the group index as high as 592, showing the promising application for THz signal manipulation.

Full manipulation of transparency and absorption through direct tuning of dark modes in high-Q Fano metamaterials.

Abstract: Controlling the line shape of Fano resonance has continued to attract significant research attention in recent years owing to its practical applications such as lasing, biosensing, and slow-light devices. However, controllable Fano resonances always require stringent alignment of complex symmetry-breaking structures; therefore, the manipulation can only be performed with limited degrees of freedom and a narrow tuning range. This work demonstrates dark-mode excitation tuning independent of the bright mode for the first time, to the authors' knowledge, in asymmetric Fano metamaterials. Metallic subwavelength slits are arranged to form asymmetric unit cells and generate a broad and bright (radiative) Fabry-Perot mode and a sharp and dark (non-radiative) surface mode. The introduction of the independent radial and angular asymmetries realizes independent control of the Fano phase (q) and quality factor (Q). This tunability provides a dynamic phase shift while maintaining a high-quality factor, enabling switching between nearly perfect transmission and absorption, which is confirmed both numerically and experimentally. The proposed scheme for fully controlled Fano systems can aid practical applications such as phase-sensitive switching devices.

Low-Loss Dual-Band Transparency Metamaterial with Toroidal Dipole

Abstract: In this paper, a low-loss toroidal dipole metamaterial composed of four metal split ring resonators is proposed and verified at microwave range. Dual-band Fano resonances could be excited by normal incident electromagnetic waves at 6 GHz and 7.23 GHz. Analysis of the current distribution at the resonance frequency and the scattered power of multipoles shows that both Fano resonances derive from the predominant novel toroidal dipole. The simulation results exhibit that the sensitivity to refractive index of the analyte is 1.56 GHz/RIU and 1.8 GHz/RIU. Meanwhile, the group delay at two Fano peaks can reach to 11.38 ns and 12.85 ns, which means the presented toroidal metamaterial has significant slow light effects. The proposed dual-band toroidal dipole metamaterial may offer a new path for designing ultra-sensitive sensors, filters, modulators, slow light devices, and so on.

Slow light in topological coupled-corner-state waveguide

Abstract: We theoretically propose a uide (CCSW), which is composed of a zigzag edge-like structure based on C-4 symmetrical lattice. CCSW mode is achieved by weak coupling between a sequence of higher order topological corner state (TCS). Based on the tight-binding approximation, the flat dispersion relation of CCSW mode is obtained, and suitable for slowing down light. The characteristics of slow light, including the group index, group velocity dispersion, normalized bandwidth and normalized delay-bandwidth product, are discussed in detail. At the Eigen frequency of individual TCS, the group velocity dispersion of CCSW mode is zero. Importantly, the CCSW mode shows strong robustness when introducing disorders, compared with the conventional Coupled-Resonator-Optical Waveguide based on photonic crystal defect cavities. Our findings may find topological slow light applications such as optical buffers, the processing of optical signals, optical delay lines and so on.

Tunable plasmonically induced transparency with giant group delay in gain-assisted graphene metamaterials

Abstract: We propose a graphene metamaterial consisting of several layers of longitudinally separated graphene nanoribbon array embedded into gain-assisted medium, demonstrating electromagnetically induced transparency-like spectra. Combined with finite-difference time-domain simulations, the transfer matrix method and temporal coupled-mode theory are adopted to quantitatively describe its transmission characteristics. These transmission characteristics can be tuned by altering the gain level in medium layer and the Fermi energy level in graphene. Additionally, it is the incorporation between gain medium and graphene nanoribbons with optimized geometrical parameters and Fermi energy level that the destructive interference between high order graphene plasmonic modes can be obtained, suggesting drastic phase transition with giant group delay and ultra-high group index up to 180 ps and 104, respectively. Our results can achieve efficient slow light effects for better optical buffers and other nonlinear applications.