Polarisation-selective hotspots in metallic ring stack arrays

Laura J. Brooks, Jan Mertens, Richard W. Bowman, Rohit Chikkaraddy, Alan Sanders, Jeremy J. Baumberg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We demonstrate a simple, scalable fabrication method for producing large-area arrays of vertically stacked metallic micro-rings, embedded in a deformable polymer sheet. Unusual polarisation-dependent hotspots are found to dominate the reflection images. To understand their origin, the arrays are characterized using point-scanning optical spectroscopy and directly compared to numerical simulations. Individual ring stacks act as microlenses, while polarisation-dependent hotspots arise at the connections between neighbouring stacks, which are comprised of parabolically-arranged parallel gold nanowires. The elastomeric properties of the polymer host opens the door to active control of the optics of this photonic material, through dynamic tuning of the nanowire spacings and array geometry.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3663-3671
JournalOptics Express
Volume24
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2016

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