Sub-wavelength plasmon laser
AssigneeLawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
InventorsMihail Bora, Tiziana C. Bond
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Abstract
A plasmonic laser device has resonant nanocavities filled with a gain medium containing an organic dye. The resonant plasmon frequencies of the nanocavities are tuned to align with both the absorption and emission spectra of the dye. Variables in the system include the nature of the dye and the wavelength of its absorption and emission, the wavelength of the pumping radiation, and the resonance frequencies of the nanocavities. In addition the pumping frequency of the dye is selected to be close to the absorption maximum.
Claims17
A plasmonic laser comprising plasmon resonant cavities filled with an active gain medium, wherein the plasmon resonant cavities comprise:
- a planar substrate;
- and
- an array of metal-coated dielectric nanowires end-connected substantially orthogonally to the planar substrate and in parallel arrangement with each other so that plasmon resonant gap-cavities capable of supporting propagation of gap plasmon modes are formed between adjacent pairs of said nanowires with one end of each of said plasmon resonant gap-cavities delimited by a surface of the planar substrate and another end of each of said plasmon resonant gap-cavities open ended, and
- wherein the gain medium comprises a solution of an organic dye having an absorption maximum at a first wavelength and an emission maximum at a second wavelength,
- wherein absorption at the first wavelength produces a population inversion in the gain medium, and
- wherein the plasmon resonant cavities have a plasmon resonance or resonances that substantially align with the absorption and emission maxima of the dye.
A plasmon laser device comprising a metal covered nanocavity filled with a dye solution, wherein the absorption maximum and emission maximum of the dye substantially align with a plasmon resonance of the nanocavity, and wherein absorption of radiation by the dye produces a population inversion in the gain medium.
A plasmonic laser comprising plasmon resonant cavities filled with an active gain medium, wherein the plasmon resonant cavities comprise:
- a planar substrate;
- and
- an array of metal-coated dielectric nanowires end-connected substantially orthogonally to the planar substrate and in parallel arrangement with each other so that plasmon resonant gap-cavities capable of supporting propagation of gap plasmon modes are formed between adjacent pairs of said nanowires with one end of each of said plasmon resonant gap-cavities delimited by a surface of the planar substrate and another end of each of said plasmon resonant gap-cavities open ended, wherein absorption of radiation by the gain medium produces a population inversion in the gain medium.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.