Universal method for the synthesis of arbitrary polarization states radiated by a nanoantenna

TL;DR

This paper presents a universal method to synthesize any polarization state of radiation emitted by a nanoantenna, enabling precise control over polarization in nano-optics without altering the nanostructure.

Contribution

The authors introduce a simple, universal technique to control nanoantenna radiation polarization via feeding signals, applicable across various materials and wavelengths.

Findings

Achieved full polarization control on the Poincaré sphere.

Implemented on a silicon chip using standard nanofabrication.

Method is adaptable to different materials and optical wavelengths.

Abstract

Optical nanoantennas efficiently convert confined optical energy into free-space radiation. The polarization of the emitted radiation depends mainly on nanoantenna shape, so it becomes extremely difficult to manipulate it unless the nanostructure is physically altered. Here we demonstrate a simple way to synthetize the polarization of the radiation emitted by a single nanoantenna so that every point on the Poincar\'e sphere becomes attainable. The nanoantenna consists of a single scatterer created on a dielectric waveguide and fed from its both sides so that the polarization of the emitted optical radiation is controlled by the amplitude and phase of the feeding signals. Our nanoantenna is created on a silicon chip using standard top-down nanofabrication tools, but the method is universal and can be applied to other materials, wavelengths and technologies. This work will open the way towards the synthesis and control of arbitrary polarization states in nano-optics.