Broadband azimuthal polarization conversion using gold nanowire enhanced step-index fiber

Opt Lett. 2016 Feb 1;41(3):448-51. doi: 10.1364/OL.41.000448.

Abstract

We show broadband azimuthal polarization state conversion using an entirely connectorized step-index fiber with a central gold nanowire. This device provides broadband polarization discrimination of the low-loss TE01 fiber mode with respect to all other modes, and converts light into the azimuthal polarization state, resulting in a high beam quality and an azimuthal conversion efficiency of 37%. The device is monolithically integrated into fiber circuitry, representing a new platform for plasmonics and fiber optics and enabling important applications in super-resolution microscopy, laser tweezing, and plasmonic superfocussing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't