Nano Lett. 2014 May 14;14(5):2330-8. doi: 10.1021/nl404707t. Epub 2014 Apr 09.

Nonlinear photon-assisted tunneling transport in optical gap antennas.

Nano letters

Arnaud Stolz, Johann Berthelot, Marie-Maxime Mennemanteuil, Gérard Colas des Francs, Laurent Markey, Vincent Meunier, Alexandre Bouhelier

PMID: 24697629 DOI: 10.1021/nl404707t

Abstract

We introduce strongly coupled optical gap antennas to interface optical radiation with current-carrying electrons at the nanoscale. The transducer relies on the nonlinear optical and electrical properties of an optical gap antenna operating in the tunneling regime. We discuss the underlying physical mechanisms controlling the conversion involving d-band electrons and demonstrate that a simple two-wire optical antenna can provide advanced optoelectronic functionalities beyond tailoring the electromagnetic response of a single emitter. Interfacing an electronic command layer with a nanoscale optical device may thus be facilitated by the optical rectennas discussed here.

Publication Types

• Journal Article
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't