Broadband light bending with plasmonic nanoantennas

Science. 2012 Jan 27;335(6067):427. doi: 10.1126/science.1214686. Epub 2011 Dec 22.

Abstract

The precise manipulation of a propagating wave using phase control is a fundamental building block of optical systems. The wavefront of a light beam propagating across an interface can be modified arbitrarily by introducing abrupt phase changes. We experimentally demonstrated unparalleled wavefront control in a broadband optical wavelength range from 1.0 to 1.9 micrometers. This is accomplished by using an extremely thin plasmonic layer (~λ/50) consisting of an optical nanoantenna array that provides subwavelength phase manipulation on light propagating across the interface. Anomalous light-bending phenomena, including negative angles of refraction and reflection, are observed in the operational wavelength range.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.