We propose the physical origin for a directional beam of light emitting from a single subwavelength slit in metallic film that is characterized by a corrugation feature at the exiting side of the film. We theorize that the beaming phenomenon can be explained simply as surface plasmon diffraction along the corrugation as long as the multiple scattering effects are taken into account to restate the dispersion relationship of the surface plasmon. In order to prove our theory, both an experimental setup and numerical simulations were undertaken. Results obtained match well with our theory of an explanation based on a surface plasmon diffraction scheme.

We demonstrate three-dimensional surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates formed by accumulating plasmonic nanostructures that are synthesized using a DNA-assisted assembly method. We densely immobilize Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) on polymer beads to form core-satellite nanostructures for detecting molecules by SERS. The experimental parameters affecting the AuNP immobilization, including salt concentration and the number ratio of the AuNPs to the polymer beads, are tested to achieve a high density of the immobilized AuNPs. To create electromagnetic hot spots for sensitive SERS sensing, we add a Ag shell to the AuNPs to reduce the interparticle distance further, and we carefully adjust the thickness of the shell to optimize the SERS effects. In addition, to obtain sensitive and reproducible SERS results, instead of using the core-satellite nanostructures dispersed in solution directly, we prepare SERS substrates consisting of closely packed nanostructures by drying nanostructure-containing droplets on hydrophobic surfaces. The densely distributed small and well-controlled nanogaps on the accumulated nanostructures function as three-dimensional SERS hot spots. Our results show that the SERS spectra obtained using the substrates are much stronger and more reproducible than that obtained using the nanostructures dispersed in solution. Sensitive detection of melamine and sodium thiocyanate (NaSCN) are achieved using the SERS substrates.

In this article, we demonstrate that a subwavelength metal slit surrounded by dielectric surface gratings possesses a directional beaming effect. We propose a surface plasmon diffraction scheme to explain the three kinds of beaming conditions. The numerical simulations of the illustrative structures undertaken used a Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) Method and a Rigorous Coupled Wave Analysis (RCWA) Method. Our simulations were found to be consistent and in agreement with the experimental results. In comparison with other metal structures, we find that dielectric metal structures offer better performance as well as the advantage of being able to be efficiently mass produced for large volume industrial applications.

Herein, we propose a special type of periodic subwavelength structure, which is optically an effective gradient-index (GRIN) antireflective surface that also exhibits enhanced-hydrophobic behaviour. Our new concept was developed adopting both the effective medium theory (EMT) and Wenzel's wettability model. To demonstrate the concept, an inverted pyramid structure was fabricated by electron beam (EB) lithography and anisotropic etching. The experimental data was found to be in good agreement with the theoretical prediction. Some potential applications that can benefit from this combination of antireflection and enhanced-hydrophobicity features are discussed.

We experimentally examined the near-field and far-field optical properties of a subwavelength annular aperture (SAA) made on silver film and undertook finite difference time domain simulations. In our near-field measurements, an interference pattern with a period very close to half of the surface plasmon (SP) wavelength (λSP∕2) was found on the surface of the silver film. Moreover, we observed that the transmitted light of the 442nm incident laser was focused at several micrometers behind the silver SAA structure at a tiny spot (354nm) and with a remarkable 31μm depth of focus. This implies that the silver SAA structure can generate a nondiffraction beam and can be used to fabricate high aspect ratio subwavelength structures.