Ultrafast Magnetic Light

TL;DR

This paper introduces a method for ultrafast tuning of optical properties in high-index nanoparticles using femtosecond laser pulses, enabling rapid switching of magnetic light responses for advanced optical devices.

Contribution

It presents a novel approach to dynamically control magnetic and electric responses of nanoparticles via electron-hole plasma generation, allowing ultrafast optical switching.

Findings

Demonstrated ultrafast switching of a Huygens source near magnetic dipole resonance.

Achieved significant changes in extinction cross section and scattering patterns.

Proposed design for ultrafast optical switches and modulators.

Abstract

We propose a novel concept for efficient dynamic tuning of optical properties of a high refractive index subwavelength nanoparticle with a magnetic Mie-type resonance by means of femtosecond laser radiation. This concept is based on ultrafast generation of electron-hole plasma within such nanoparticle, drastically changing its transient dielectric permittivity. This allows to manipulate by both electric and magnetic nanoparticle responses, resulting in dramatic changes of its extinction cross section and scattering diagram. Specifically, we demonstrate the effect of ultrafast switching-on a Huygens source in the vicinity of the magnetic dipole resonance. This approach enables to design ultrafast and compact optical switchers and modulators based on the "ultrafast magnetic light" concept.