Manipulating optical signals at sub-wavelength scale by planar arrays of metallic nanospheres: Towards plasmonic interference devices

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that interference effects in planar arrays of metallic nanospheres can be used to create nanoscale all-optical switches and plasmonic interference devices, advancing the development of miniaturized optical components.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of using interference in plasmonic nanosphere arrays for all-optical switching and designs specific waveguide configurations for this purpose.

Findings

Interference enables phase- and amplitude-sensitive control of signals.

Y-shaped nanosphere arrays function as effective all-optical switches.

Theoretical analysis confirms feasibility of plasmonic interference devices.

Abstract

We show that interference can be the principle of operation of an all-optical switch and other nanoscale plasmonic interference devices (PIDs). The optical response of two types of planar plasmonic waveguides is studied theoretically: bent chains and Y-shaped configurations of closely-spaced metallic nanospheres. We study symmetric Y-shape arrays as an example of an all-optical switch and demonstrate that effective phase- and amplitude-sensitive control of the output signal can be achieved due to interference effects.