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Volume 2 Issue 2

Issue of Nanophotonics

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Contents
Journal Overview

Masthead

Publicly Available April 8, 2013

Graphical abstracts

Publicly Available April 8, 2013

Reviews

Publicly Available January 4, 2013

Promises and challenges of nanoplasmonic devices for refractometric biosensing

Andreas B. Dahlin, Nathan J. Wittenberg, Fredrik Höök, Sang-Hyun Oh

Page range: 83-101

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Abstract

Optical biosensors based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) in metallic thin films are currently standard tools for measuring molecular binding kinetics and affinities – an important task for biophysical studies and pharmaceutical development. Motivated by recent progress in the design and fabrication of metallic nanostructures, such as nanoparticles or nanoholes of various shapes, researchers have been pursuing a new generation of biosensors harnessing tailored plasmonic effects in these engineered nanostructures. Nanoplasmonic devices, while demanding nanofabrication, offer tunability with respect to sensor dimension and physical properties, thereby enabling novel biological interfacing opportunities and extreme miniaturization. Here we provide an integrated overview of refractometric biosensing with nanoplasmonic devices and highlight some recent examples of nanoplasmonic sensors capable of unique functions that are difficult to accomplish with conventional SPR. For example, since the local field strength and spatial distribution can be readily tuned by varying the shape and arrangement of nanostructures, biomolecular interactions can be controlled to occur in regions of high field strength. This may improve signal-to-noise and also enable sensing a small number of molecules. Furthermore, the nanoscale plasmonic sensor elements may, in combination with nanofabrication and materials-selective surface-modifications, make it possible to merge affinity biosensing with nanofluidic liquid handling.

Publicly Available January 5, 2013

Towards nano-scale photonics with micro-scale photons: the opportunities and challenges of mid-infrared plasmonics

Stephanie Law, Viktor Podolskiy, Daniel Wasserman

Page range: 103-130

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Abstract

Surface plasmon polaritons and their localized counterparts, surface plasmons, are widely used at visible and near-infrared (near-IR) frequencies to confine, enhance, and manipulate light on the subwavelength scale. At these frequencies, surface plasmons serve as enabling mechanisms for future on-chip communications architectures, high-performance sensors, and high-resolution imaging and lithography systems. Successful implementation of plasmonics-inspired solutions at longer wavelengths, in the mid-infrared (mid-IR) frequency range, would benefit a number of highly important technologies in health- and defense-related fields that include trace-gas detection, heat-signature sensing, mimicking, and cloaking, and source and detector development. However, the body of knowledge of visible/near-IR frequency plasmonics cannot be easily transferred to the mid-IR due to the fundamentally different material response of metals in these two frequency ranges. Therefore, mid-IR plasmonic architectures for subwavelength light manipulation require both new materials and new geometries. In this work we attempt to provide a comprehensive review of recent approaches to realize nano-scale plasmonic devices and structures operating at mid-IR wavelengths. We first discuss the motivation for the development of the field of mid-IR plasmonics and the fundamental differences between plasmonics in the mid-IR and at shorter wavelengths. We then discuss early plasmonics work in the mid-IR using traditional plasmonic metals, illuminating both the impressive results of this work, as well as the challenges arising from the very different behavior of metals in the mid-IR, when compared to shorter wavelengths. Finally, we discuss the potential of new classes of mid-IR plasmonic materials, capable of mimicking the behavior of traditional metals at shorter wavelengths, and allowing for true subwavelength, and ultimately, nano-scale confinement at long wavelengths.

Regular Articles

Publicly Available March 23, 2013

Blueshift of the surface plasmon resonance in silver nanoparticles studied with EELS

Søren Raza, Nicolas Stenger, Shima Kadkhodazadeh, Søren V. Fischer, Natalie Kostesha, Antti-Pekka Jauho, Andrew Burrows, Martijn Wubs, N. Asger Mortensen

Page range: 131-138

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Abstract

We study the surface plasmon (SP) resonance energy of isolated spherical Ag nanoparticles dispersed on a silicon nitride substrate in the diameter range 3.5–26 nm with monochromated electron energy-loss spectroscopy. A significant blueshift of the SP resonance energy of 0.5 eV is measured when the particle size decreases from 26 down to 3.5 nm. We interpret the observed blueshift using three models for a metallic sphere embedded in homogeneous background material: a classical Drude model with a homogeneous electron density profile in the metal, a semiclassical model corrected for an inhomogeneous electron density associated with quantum confinement, and a semiclassical nonlocal hydrodynamic description of the electron density. We find that the latter two models provide a qualitative explanation for the observed blueshift, but the theoretical predictions show smaller blueshifts than observed experimentally.

Publicly Available April 8, 2013

Plasmons driven by single electrons in graphene nanoislands

Alejandro Manjavacas, Sukosin Thongrattanasiri, F. Javier García de Abajo

Page range: 139-151

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Abstract

Plasmons produce large confinement and enhancement of light that enable applications as varied as cancer therapy and catalysis. Adding to these appealing properties, graphene has emerged as a robust, electrically tunable material exhibiting plasmons that strongly depend on the density of doping charges. Here we show that adding a single electron to a graphene nanoisland consisting of hundreds or thousands of atoms switches on infrared plasmons that were previously absent from the uncharged structure. Remarkably, the addition of each further electron produces a dramatic frequency shift. Plasmons in these islands are shown to be tunable down to near infrared wavelengths. These phenomena are highly sensitive to carbon edges. Specifically, armchair nanotriangles display sharp plasmons that are associated with intense near-field enhancement, as well as absorption cross-sections exceeding the geometrical area occupied by the graphene. In contrast, zigzag triangles do not support these plasmons. Our conclusions rely on realistic quantum-mechanical calculations, which are in ostensible disagreement with classical electromagnetic simulations, thus revealing the quantum nature of the plasmons. This study shows a high sensitivity of graphene nanoislands to elementary charges, therefore emphasizing their great potential for novel nano-optoelectronics applications.

Publicly Available March 26, 2013

Tuning the influence of metal nanoparticles on ZnO photoluminescence by atomic-layer-deposited dielectric spacer

Monan Liu, Rui Chen, Giorgio Adamo, Kevin F. MacDonald, Edbert J. Sie, Tze Chien Sum, Nikolay I. Zheludev, Handong Sun, Hong Jin Fan

Page range: 153-160

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Abstract

There is increasing interest in tuning the optical and optoelectronic properties of semiconductor nanostructures using metal nanoparticles in their applications in light-emitting and detection devices. In this work we study the effect of a dielectric Al 2 O 3 gap layer (i.e., spacer) on the interaction of ZnO nanowires with metal nanoparticles. The Al 2 O 3 spacer thickness is varied in the range of 1–25 nm using atomic layer deposition (ALD) in order to tune the interaction. It is found that ~5 nm is an optimum spacer thickness common for most metals, although the enhancement ratio of the near-bandedge emission differs among the metals. Consistent results are obtained from both photoluminescence (PL) and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectroscopies, with the latter being applied to the optical properties of individual semiconductor/metal nanoheterostructures. The interaction is primarily proposed to be related to coupling of ZnO excitons with local surface plasmons of metals, although other mechanisms should not be ruled out.

About this journal

Nanophotonics covers recent international research results, specific developments in the field and novel applications and is published in partnership with Sciencewise. It belongs to the top journals in the field. Nanophotonics focuses on the interaction of photons with nano-structures, such as carbon nano-tubes, nano metal particles, nano crystals, semiconductor nano dots, photonic crystals, tissue and DNA. The journal covers the latest developments for physicists, engineers and material scientists, working in fields related to:

Plasmonics: metallic nanostructures and their optical properties
Meta materials, fundamentals and applications
Nanophotonic concepts and devices for solar energy harvesting and conversion
Near-field optical microscopy
Nanowaveguides and devices
Nano Lasers
Nanostructures, nanoparticles, nanotubes, nanowires, nanofibers
Photonic crystals
Integrated silicon photonics
Semiconductor quantum dots
Quantum optics & Quantum information
Ultrafast and nonlinear pulse propagation in nano materials and structures
Light-matter interaction, optical manipulation techniques
Nano-biophotonics
Optofluidics
Optomechanics
System applications based on nanophotonic devices
Nanofabrication techniques, thin film processing, self-assembly

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Publication Metrics

Average time from submission to initial Editorial Manager assessment: 5 days
Average time from submission to final decision (all article types): 57 days
Average time from acceptance to publication: 13 days

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Early Career Award 2023

The Early Career Award for 2023 is now open and welcoming nominations!

Do you know someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the field of nanophotonics? Nominate them for the Nanophotonics Early Career Award! This prestigious award recognizes four early career scientists annually for their accomplishments. Help them gain the recognition they deserve by submitting a nomination.

The award winners are awarded a prize of 1000 EUR and a waiver for publishing in Nanophotonics without charge.
Visit the award webpage for more information on the award, the criteria, and how to submit your nomination.
This award is fully sponsored by the Nanophotonics journal.

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Celebrating Young Scientists at Conferences

Nanophotonics supports young scientists through the sponsorship of poster awards at global conferences, recognizing the work of over 50 researchers every year. Please visit the winners' gallery to view their accomplishments.

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Special/Topical Issues

Published in 2023:

Quantum Nanophotonics (Guest Editors: Jaehyuck Jang, Minsu Jeong, and Junsuk Rho)
Neural network learning with photonics and for photonic circuit design (Guest Editors: Daniel Brunner, Miguel C. Soriano, and Shanhui Fan)
Nanofabrication (Guest Editors: Maria Farsari, Sang-Hyun Oh, and Joel Yang) 　
Metamaterials and Plasmonics in Asia (Guest Editors: Lei Zhou, JeongWeon Wu, Q-Han Park, Namkyoo Park and Teruya Ishihara)
Nanophotonics in support of Ukrainian Scientists (Guest Editors: Nader Engheta and Nikolay Zheludev; Publishing Editor: Dennis Couwenberg)

Published in 2022:

Photonic Angular Momentum (Guest Editors: Andrew Forbes, Qiwen Zhan and Siddharth Ramachandran)
New Trends in Nanophotonics and Advanced Photonic Materials (Guest Editor: Junsuk Rho)
Metamaterials and Plasmonics in Asia (Guest Editors: Lei Zhou, Tiejun Cui, JeongWeon Wu and Teruya Ishihara)
Tunable Nanophotonics (Guest Editors: Juejun Hu, Arseniy I. Kuznetsov, Volker J. Sorger, and Isabelle Staude)
Novel Two-Dimensional Materials Based Bio-Nanophotonic (Guest Editors: Hans Ågren, Jong Seung Kim and Han Zhang)

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Highly cited articles:

Polariton panorama
by D. N. Basov, Ana Asenjo-Garcia, P. James Schuck, Xiaoyang Zhu, Angel Rubio

Ultrasensitive terahertz sensing with high-Q toroidal dipole resonance governed by bound states in the continuum in all-dielectric metasurface
by Yulin Wang, Zhanghua Han, Yong Du, Jianyuan Qin

Non-Hermitian and topological photonics: optics at an exceptional point
by Midya Parto, Yuzhou G. N. Liu, Babak Bahari, Mercedeh Khajavikhan, Demetrios N. Christodoulides

Metasurfaces for biomedical applications: imaging and sensing from a nanophotonics perspective
by Shuyan Zhang, Chi Lok Wong, Shuwen Zeng, Renzhe Bi, Kolvyn Tai, Kishan Dholakia, Malini Olivo

THz spintronic emitters: a review on achievements and future challenges
by Evangelos Th. Papaioannou and René Beigang

Machine learning–assisted global optimization of photonic devices
by Zhaxylyk A. Kudyshev, Alexander V. Kildishev, Vladimir M. Shalaev, Alexandra Boltasseva

Topological photonics: Where do we go from here?
by Mordechai Segev, Miguel A. Bandres

Highly ordered arrays of hat-shaped hierarchical nanostructures with different curvatures for sensitive SERS and plasmon-driven catalysis
by Chao Zhang, Zhaoxiang Li, Si Qiu, Weixi Lu, Mingrui Shao, Chang Ji, Guangcan Wang, Xiaofei Zhao, Jing Yu and Zhen Li

Review on fractional vortex beam
by Hao Zhang, Jun Zeng, Xingyuan Lu, Zhuoyi Wang, Chengliang Zhao and Yangjian Cai

Orbital angular momentum and beyond in free-space optical communications
by Jian Wang, Jun Liu, Shuhui Li, Yifan Zhao, Jing Du and Long Zhu

Volume 2 Issue 2

Issue of Nanophotonics

Masthead

In this Issue

Promises and challenges of nanoplasmonic devices for refractometric biosensing

Abstract

Towards nano-scale photonics with micro-scale photons: the opportunities and challenges of mid-infrared plasmonics

Abstract

Blueshift of the surface plasmon resonance in silver nanoparticles studied with EELS

Abstract

Plasmons driven by single electrons in graphene nanoislands

Abstract

Tuning the influence of metal nanoparticles on ZnO photoluminescence by atomic-layer-deposited dielectric spacer

Abstract