The Infiltration of Silver Nanoparticles into Porous Silicon for Improving the Performance of Photonic Devices

Hybrid nanostructures have a great potential to improve the overall properties of photonic devices. In the present study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were infiltrated into nanostructured porous silicon (PSi) layers, aiming at enhancing the optoelectronic performance of Si-based devices. More specifically, Schottky diodes with three different configurations were fabricated, using Al/Si/Au as the basic structure. This structure was modified by adding PSi and PSi + AgNPs layers. Their characteristic electrical parameters were accurately determined by fitting the current–voltage curves to the non-ideal diode equation. Furthermore, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to determine the electrical parameters of the diodes in a wide frequency range by fitting the Nyquist plots to the appropriate equivalent circuit model. The experimental results show a remarkable enhancement in electrical conduction after the incorporation of metallic nanoparticles. Moreover, the spectral photoresponse was examined for various devices. An approximately 10-fold increment in photoresponse was observed after the addition of Ag nanoparticles to the porous structures.

Anisotropic Radiation in Heterostructured “Emitter in a Cavity” Nanowire

Tailorable synthesis of axially heterostructured epitaxial nanowires (NWs) with a proper choice of materials allows for the fabrication of novel photonic devices, such as a nanoemitter in the resonant cavity. An example of the structure is a GaP nanowire with ternary GaPAs insertions in the form of nano-sized discs studied in this work. With the use of the micro-photoluminescence technique and numerical calculations, we experimentally and theoretically study photoluminescence emission in individual heterostructured NWs. Due to the high refractive index and near-zero absorption through the emission band, the photoluminescence signal tends to couple into the nanowire cavity acting as a Fabry–Perot resonator, while weak radiation propagating perpendicular to the nanowire axis is registered in the vicinity of each nano-sized disc. Thus, within the heterostructured nanowire, both amplitude and spectrally anisotropic photoluminescent signals can be achieved. Numerical modeling of the nanowire with insertions emitting in infrared demonstrates a decay in the emission directivity and simultaneous rise of the emitters coupling with an increase in the wavelength. The emergence of modulated and non-modulated radiation is discussed, and possible nanophotonic applications are considered.

Liquid-crystal metasurfaces: Self-assembly for versatile optical functionality

Liquid crystals subjected to modulated surface alignment assemble into metasurface-type structures capable of various flat-optical functionalities, including light diffraction and focusing, deflection and splitting. Remaining in a fluid phase, they are susceptible to external stimuli, and, in particular, can be efficiently controled by low voltages. We overview the existing approaches to the design and fabrication of liquid-crystal metasurfaces, highlight their realized optical functions and discuss the applied potential in emerging photonic devices.

Topological One-Way Edge States in an Air-Hole Honeycomb Gyromagnetic Photonic Crystal

Topological one-way edge states have attracted increasing attention because of their intriguing fundamental physics and potential applications, particularly in the realm of photonics. In this paper, we present a theoretical and numerical demonstration of topological one-way edge states in an air-hole honeycomb gyromagnetic photonic crystal biased by an external magnetic field. Localized horizontally to the edge and confined in vertical direction by two parallel metallic plates, these unique states possess robust one-way propagation characteristics. They are strongly robust against various types of defects, imperfections and sharp corners on the path, and even can unidirectionally transport along the irregular edges of arbitrary geometries. We further utilize the one-way property of edge states to overcome entirely the issue of back-reflections and show the design of topological leaky wave antennas. Our results open a new door towards the observation of nontrivial edge states in air-hole topological photonic crystal systems, and offer useful prototype of robust topological photonic devices, such as geometry-independent topological energy flux loops and topological leaky wave antennas.

Interface and surface engineering of black phosphorus: a review for photonic and optoelectronic applications

Since being rediscovered as an emerging 2D material, BP with extraordinary energy structure and unusually strong interlayer interactions offer new opportunities for optoelectronics and photonics. However, due to the thin atomic body and the ease of degradation with water and oxides, BP is highly sensitive to the surrounding environment. Therefore, high-quality engineering of interfaces and surfaces plays an essential role in BP-based applications. In this review, begun with a review of properties of BP, different strategies of interface and surfaces engineering for high ON-OFF ratio, enhanced optical absorption, and fast optical response are reviewed and highlighted, and recent state-of-the-art advances on optoelectronic and photonic devices are demonstrated. Finally, the opportunities and challenges are outlooked for future BP-related research.

Optical one-dimensional waveguides in oxyfluoride glass fabricated by Helium Ion implantation

In this work, a one-dimensional waveguide is formed by virtue of the helium ion implantation in the oxyfluoride glass (OFG). The energy and the fluence of the ion implantation are 0.4 MeV and [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text], respectively. The m-line curve with the effective refractive indices of the modes was recorded by using the prism coupling system. The energy loss distribution and the refractive index profile were calculated by the stopping and range of ions into matter (SRIM)-2013 and the RCM, respectively. The light modal profile was measured by the end-facet coupling system. It suggests that the He[Formula: see text]-ion implanted OFG waveguides have the potential to act as integrated photonic devices.

Overview of photonic devices based on functional materials-integrated photonic crystal fibers

Photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) have brought tremendous advancements due to their predominant features of peculiar air-holes arrangement in two-dimentional direction. Functional materials like metals, magnetic fluids, nematic liquid crystals, graphene and so on, are extensively adopted to integrate with PCFs to get extraordinary transmission properties. This review takes the development stages of photonic devices based on functional materials-infiltrated PCFs into consideration, covering the overview of common materials and their photoelectric characteristics, the state-of-art infiltrating/coating techniques, as well as the corresponding applications involving polarization filtering and splittering devices in optical communication and sensing elements related to multiple parameters measurement. The cladding air hole of PCFs provides a natural optofluidic channel for materials being introduced, light-matter interaction being enhanced, and transmission properties being extended, where a lab on a fiber are able to be proceeded. It paves a space for the development of photonic devices in the aspects of compact, multi-functional integration, and electromagnetic resistance as well. According to surface plasmon resonance, the property of tunable refractive indices, and the flexible geometry structures, it comes up to some representative researches on polarization filters, multiplexer-demultiplexers, splitters, couplers and sensors, making a candidate for widespread fields of telecommunication, signal-capacity, and high-performance sensing.

Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence in Optically Accessed Softmatter Environment

Organic material compositions, able to demonstrate bright delayed fluorescence either by electrical excitation, or by optical excitation, are being applied in various fields of research, ranging from sunlight-powered photonic devices...