Nonlinear Plasmonic Devices

Surface plasmons (SPs) have been studied by a wide spectrum of scientists, ranging from physicists, chemists and materials scientists to biologists. Plasmonics represents an opportunity to develop a new class of photonic devices by concentrating and channeling light using subwavelength structures. Such circuits would first convert light into SPs, which would then propagate and be processed by logic elements, before being converted back into light. When embedded in dielectric materials the circuitry used to propagate SPs can also be used to carry electrical signals. Combining plasmonic-based photonic circuits with electronic circuits can lead to very high speed communications and computing capability. The objectives of this Phase II proposal are to study and build plasmonic, lowpower, all-optical-switches based on subwavelength metallic gratings and photonic crystals. We will also develop a highly efficient plasmonic-based second harmonic generator that can be used as a UV source. These devices will be combined with optically active materials to make tunable devices. The plasmonic devices will be designed and fabricated to optimize local field enhancement to stimulate the non-linear response of the EO material.