Symmetry-selective third-harmonic generation from plasmonic metacrystals

Shumei Chen, Guixin Li, Franziska Zeuner, Wing Han Wong, Edwin Yue Bun Pun, Thomas Zentgraf, Kok Wai Cheah, Shuang Zhang

Research output: Contribution to journalLetterpeer-review

86 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Nonlinear processes are often governed by selection rules imposed by the symmetries of the molecular configurations. The most well-known examples include the role of centrosymmetry breaking for the generation of even harmonics, and the selection rule related to the rotational symmetry in harmonic generation for fundamental beams with circular polarizations. While the role of centrosymmetry breaking in second harmonic generation has been extensively studied in plasmonic systems, the investigation of selection rules pertaining to circular polarization states of harmonic generation is limited to crystals, i.e., symmetries at the atomic level. In this Letter we demonstrate the rotational symmetry dependent third harmonic generation from nonlinear plasmonic metacrystals. We show that the selection rule can be imposed by the rotational symmetry of metacrystals embedded into an isotropic organic nonlinear thin film. The results presented here may open new avenues for designing symmetry-dependent nonlinear optical responses with tailored plasmonic nanostructures.
Original languageEnglish
Article number033901
Number of pages5
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume113
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 16 Jul 2014

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