Extreme nanophotonics from ultrathin metallic gaps

Authors
Baumberg, JJ 

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Type
Article
Change log
Abstract

Ultrathin dielectric gaps between metals can trap plasmonic optical modes with surprisingly low loss and with volumes below 1nm3. We review the origin and subtle properties of these modes, and show how they can be well accounted for by simple models. Particularly important is the mixing between radiating antenna and confined nanogap modes, which is extremely sensitive to precise nano-geometry, right down to the single atom level. Coupling nanogap plasmons to electronic and vibronic transitions yields a host of phenomena including single-molecule strong coupling and molecular optomechanics, opening access to atomic-scale chemistry and material science, and quantum metamaterials. Ultimate low-energy devices such as robust bottom-up assembled single-atom switches are thus in prospect.

Publication Date
2019-07
Online Publication Date
2019-04-01
Acceptance Date
2019-01-16
Keywords
Journal Title
Nature Materials
Journal ISSN
1476-4660
Volume Title
18
Publisher
Springer Nature
Sponsorship
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/H007024/1)
European Research Council (320503)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/L027151/1)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/L015978/1)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/N016920/1)
European Research Council (778616)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/R020965/1)