High contrast modulation of plasmonic signals using nanoscale dual-frequency liquid crystals

Joseph S.T. Smalley, Yanhui Zhao, Ahmad Ahsan Nawaz, Qingzhen Hao, Yi Ma, Iam Choon Khoo, Tony Jun Huang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have designed and simulated a dual-frequency liquid crystal (DFLC) based plasmonic signal modulator capable of achieving over 15 dB modulation depth. The voltage-controlled DFLC is combined with a groove and slit configuration and its operation is discussed. Using the finitedifference time domain (FDTD) method, simulations were conducted to discover the groove-slit separation distance that enabled a practically useful modulation depth for the two states of the DFLC. Moreover, we have shown that significant improvement in modulation depth can be achieved by addition of a second groove to the design structure. Additionally, a performance analysis indicates a switching energy on the order of femtojoules and a switching speed on the order of 100 microseconds. Results of this investigation can be useful for the future design, simulation, and fabrication of DFLC-based plasmonic signal modulating devices, which have application in electro-optical and all-optical information systems.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)15265-15274
Number of pages10
JournalOptics Express
Volume19
Issue number16
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2011

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

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