Design parameters for a nano-optical Yagi-Uda antenna

TL;DR

This paper explores how a finite array of gold nanorods can be designed to create a nano-optical Yagi-Uda antenna capable of directing optical emissions, considering resonance parameters and absorption effects.

Contribution

It identifies key plasma resonance parameters and demonstrates that a finite gold nanorod array can effectively function as a nano-optical Yagi-Uda antenna.

Findings

Directionality persists despite absorption losses.

Finite gold nanorod arrays can realize nano-optical Yagi-Uda antennas.

Abstract

We investigate the possibility of directing optical emissions using a Yagi-Uda antenna composed of a finite linear array of nanoparticles. The relevant parameters characterizing the plasma resonances of the nanoparticles are identified and the interaction between the array elements is formulated accordingly. It is shown that the directionality of the optical emission can be observed even in the presence of non-negligible absorption losses in the nanoparticles. We conclude that a finite array of gold nanorods may be sufficient for the realization of a working nano-optical Yagi-Uda antenna.