Negative index photonic crystal lenses based on carbon nanotube arrays

Haider Butt, Qing Dai, Timothy D. Wilkinson*, Gehan A J Amaratunga, Haider Butt

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We report a novel utilization of periodic arrays of carbon nanotubes in the realization of diffractive photonic crystal lenses. Carbon nanotube arrays with nanoscale dimensions (lattice constant 400 nm and tube radius 50 nm) displayed a negative refractive index in the optical regime where the wavelength is of the order of array spacing. A detailed computational analysis of band gaps and optical transmission through the nanotubes based planar, convex and concave shaped lenses was performed. Due to the negative-index these lenses behaved in an opposite fashion compared to their conventional counter parts. A plano-concave lens was established and numerically tested, displaying ultra-small focal length of 1.5 μm (∼2.3 λ) and a near diffraction-limited spot size of 400 nm (∼0.61 λ).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)499-505
Number of pages7
JournalPhotonics and Nanostructures - Fundamentals and Applications
Volume10
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2012

Keywords

  • Multiwalled carbon nanotube arrays
  • Negative index
  • Negative refraction
  • Photonic crystals
  • Photonic lenses

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Hardware and Architecture
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials

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