Energy Transmission by Photon Tunneling in Multilayer Structures Including Negative Index Materials

The phenomenon of photon tunneling, which depends on evanescent waves for radiative transfer, has important applications in microscale energy conversion devices and near-field optical microscopy. In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in the so-called negative index materials (NIMs), which have simultaneously negative electric permittivity and negative magnetic permeability. The present work investigates photon tunneling in multilayer structures consisting of positive index materials (PIMs) and NIMs. Some features, such as the enhancement of radiative transfer by the excitation of surface polaritons for both polarizations, are observed in the predicted transmittance spectra. The influence of the number of layers on the transmittance is also examined. The results suggest that the enhanced tunneling transmittance by polaritons also depends on the NIM layer thickness and that subdividing the PIM/NIM layers to enhance polariton coupling can reduce the effect of material loss on the tunneling transmittance.

Download Full-text

Non-Surface Polaritonic Peaks in Near-Field Radiative Transfer

Volume 8A: Heat Transfer and Thermal Engineering ◽

10.1115/imece2014-37192 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

Braden Czapla ◽

Yi Zheng ◽

Karthik Sasihithlu ◽

Arvind Narayanaswamy

Keyword(s):

Energy Transfer ◽

Radiative Transfer ◽

Near Field ◽

Surface Polaritons ◽

Field Effects ◽

Polar Materials ◽

Electro Magnetic ◽

Collective Influence ◽

Magnetic Waves

Near-field effects in radiative transfer refer to the collective influence of interference, diffraction, and tunneling of electro-magnetic waves on energy transfer between two or more objects. Most studies of near-field radiative transfer have so far focused on the enhancement due to tunneling of surface polaritons. In this work, we show the existence of sharp peaks in the radiative transfer spectrum between two spheres of polar materials that are not due to surface polaritons. The peaks, which are present on either side of the restrahlen band, are because of Mie resonances.

Download Full-text

Direction-Independent Band Gaps Extension Based on Thue-Morse Photonic Heterostructures Containing Negative-Index Materials

Materials Science Forum ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/msf.675-677.1077 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 675-677 ◽

pp. 1077-1080 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ou Yang Hong ◽

Xin Hua Deng

Keyword(s):

Optical Fibers ◽

Transverse Electric ◽

Negative Index ◽

Reflection Band ◽

Negative Index Materials ◽

One Dimensional ◽

Fabry Perot ◽

Potential Applications ◽

New Type ◽

Positive Index

The band structure and photonic spectrum of one dimensional Thue-Morse quasicrystal composed by negative-index materials and positive-index materials are studied. We show that a new type of the omnidirectional reflection band (ORB) exists in Thue-Morse photonic heterostructures. Compared to a single Thue-Morse quasicrystal, the frequency range of the ORB in a Thue-Morse photonic heterostructure can be notably enlarged, and the width and location of the ORB do not change with Thue-Morse order. The lower edge of the ORB depends only on transverse electric (TE) polarization, while the higher edge of the ORB depends only on transversemagnetic (TM) polarization. These results imply potential applications in improving planar microcavities, optical fibers, and Fabry–Perot resonators, etc.

Download Full-text

A DESIGN TOOL FOR NEAR-FIELD RADIATIVE TRANSFER: THE DEVELOPMENTAL STEPS OF THE NF-RT-FDTD CODE

Proceeding of Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on Radiative Transfer, RAD-16 June 6-10,2016, Cappadocia, Turkey ◽

10.1615/rad-16.60 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Azadeh Didari ◽

M. Pinar Menguc

Keyword(s):

Radiative Transfer ◽

Near Field ◽

Design Tool

Download Full-text

Polarization-independent low-pass spatial filters based on one-dimensional photonic crystals containing negative-index materials

Applied Physics B ◽

10.1007/s00340-009-3376-4 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 94 (4) ◽

pp. 641-646 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Z. Luo ◽

Z. Tang ◽

Y. Xiang ◽

H. Luo ◽

S. Wen

Keyword(s):

Photonic Crystals ◽

Negative Index ◽

Spatial Filters ◽

Negative Index Materials ◽

One Dimensional ◽

Low Pass ◽

Polarization Independent

Download Full-text

Heat Transfer Spectroscopy and “Heat Transfer-Distance” Curves

Volume 13: Nano-Manufacturing Technology; and Micro and Nano Systems, Parts A and B ◽

10.1115/imece2008-69231 ◽

2008 ◽

Author(s):

Arvind Narayanaswamy ◽

Sheng Shen ◽

Gang Chen

Keyword(s):

Heat Transfer ◽

Radiative Transfer ◽

Atomic Force Microscope ◽

Near Field ◽

Surface Force ◽

Casimir Forces ◽

Distance Curve ◽

Transfer Distance ◽

Atomic Force ◽

Order Of Magnitude

Thermal radiative transfer between objects as well as near-field forces such as van der Waals or Casimir forces have their origins in the fluctuations of the electrodynamic field. Near-field radiative transfer between two objects can be enhanced by a few order of magnitude compared to the far-field radiative transfer that can be described by Planck’s theory of blackbody radiation and Kirchoff’s laws. Despite this common origin, experimental techniques of measuring near-field forces (using the surface force apparatus and the atomic force microscope) are more sophisticated than techniques of measuring near-field radiative transfer. In this work, we present an ultra-sensitive experimental technique of measuring near-field using a bi-material atomic force microscope cantilever as the thermal sensor. Just as measurements of near-field forces results in a “force distance curve”, measurement of near-field radiative transfer results in a “heat transfer-distance” curve. Results from the measurement of near-field radiative transfer will be presented.

Download Full-text

A DoD Perspective on Left Handed Negative Index Materials and Potential Applications

MRS Proceedings ◽

10.1557/proc-0919-j01-02 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 919 ◽

Author(s):

Valerie Browning ◽

Minas H Tanielian ◽

Richard W. Ziolkowski ◽

Nader Engheta ◽

David R. Smith

Keyword(s):

Composite Structures ◽

Beam Steering ◽

Electromagnetic Response ◽

Electromagnetic Spectrum ◽

Negative Index ◽

Negative Index Materials ◽

Left Handed ◽

Potential Applications ◽

Novel Approaches ◽

Electromagnetic Transport

AbstractIn the quest for ever smaller, lighter weight, and conformal components and devices for radar and communication applications, researchers in the RF community have increasingly turned to artificially engineered, composite structures (or “metamaterials”) in order to exploit the extraordinary electromagnetic response these materials offer. One particularly promising class of metamaterials that has recently received a great deal of attention are “left-handed” or negative index materials. Because these metamaterials exhibit the unique ability to bend and focus light in ways no other conventional materials can, they hold great potential for enabling a number of innovative lens and antenna structures for a broad range of commercial and DoD relevant applications. Exploring the possible implementation of negative index materials for such applications will require significant enhancements in the properties of existing Negative Index Materials (NIM) (bandwidth, loss, operational frequency, etc.), as well as improved understanding of the physics of their electromagnetic transport properties. For this reason the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) has initiated a program that seeks to further develop and demonstrate NIM for future DoD missions including, but not limited to, the following: 1) lightweight, compact lenses with improved optics; 2) sub wavelength/high resolution imaging across the electromagnetic spectrum; 3) novel approaches to beam steering for radar, RF, and/or optical communications; and 4) novel approaches for integrating optics with semiconductor electronics. A brief overview of the salient properties of NIM will be presented as well as a general discussion of a few of their potential applications.

Download Full-text