Nonlinear Optical Spectroscopy of Photonic Metamaterials

TL;DR

This paper investigates the nonlinear optical responses of a fishnet metamaterial, revealing unique resonant behaviors due to plasmonic effects that differ from conventional materials.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed spectra of second- and third-harmonic generation and four-wave mixing in a fishnet metamaterial at its magnetic resonance.

Findings

Resonant nonlinear signals are significantly enhanced at the magnetic resonance.

The nonlinear behaviors are dominated by plasmonic local field effects.

Distinct spectral features differentiate the metamaterial's response from ordinary materials.

Abstract

We have obtained spectra of second-harmonic generation, third harmonic generation, and four-wave mixing from a fishnet metamaterial around its magnetic resonance. The resonant behaviors are distinctly different from those for ordinary materials. They result from the fact that the resonance is plasmonic, and its enhancement appears through the local field in the nanostructure.