Optical Metamaterials based on p-block Elements for Switchable Nanophotonics

Abstract

We explore the potential of p-block elements (especially Bi, Ga, Sb) for the fabrication of switchable plasmonic nanostructures and metamaterials, and demonstrate switchable plasmonic properties in nanostructured metamaterials based on such elements.

Plasmonic optical metamaterials have attracted the attention of a broad community of scientists thanks to their capability to support resonant optical meta-effects, such as perfect absorption [1], plasmonic phase flips [2,3], non-specular reflection or refraction [4] that provide solutions for light trapping, lensing, filtering or optically-monitored sensing. The next step in the evolution of such metamaterials requires making their plasmonic properties switchable. This will allow designing switchable optical components and sensors with enhanced performance. In this context, technology can profit from the use of alternative plasmonic elements or compounds that are unconventional in the plasmonic field, beyond the traditional noble metals. In this talk we will explore the potential of p-block elements for the fabrication of switchable plasmonic optical metamaterials. Especially, Bi, Ga and Sb display a plasmonic response in the ultraviolet ¿ visible [6, 7] together with a switching capability upon solid-liquid transition. We will show and assess the plasmonic switching performance in nanostructures with different geometries. Finally we will develop ideas to build efficient switchable plasmonic optical metamaterials based on these elements and report the fabrication and switchable response of nanostructured metamaterials.