Electrochemically driven dynamic plasmonics

Abstract

Dynamic plasmonics with the real-time active control capability of plasmonic resonances attracts much interest in the communities of physics, chemistry, and material science. Among versatile reconfigurable strategies for dynamic plasmonics, electrochemically driven strategies have garnered most of the attention. We summarize three primary strategies to enable electrochemically dynamic plasmonics, including structural transformation, carrier-density modulation, and electrochemically active surrounding-media manipulation. The reconfigurable microstructures, optical properties, and underlying physical mechanisms are discussed in detail. We also summarize the most promising applications of dynamic plasmonics, including smart windows, structural color displays, and chemical sensors. We suggest more research efforts toward the widespread applications of dynamic plasmonics.

Molecular Plasmonics with Metamaterials

“…Electrotunable plasmonic metamaterials can be further realized via the electrochemically controlled self-assembly of plasmonic nanoparticles at liquid/liquid or liquid/solid interfaces. − A reversible electrotunable liquid mirror was demonstrated based on voltage-controlled self-assembly/disassembly of negative-charge-functionalized gold nanoparticles at the interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions . The optical properties of the liquid mirror, such as reflectivity and a spectral position of the absorption band, can be tuned in situ within a low applied voltage of ±0.5 V. The electrochemically controlled self-assembly approach opens up a wide range of possibilities for designing electrotunable optical metamaterials, such as switchable mirrors, filters, and displays.…”

Low-Power Electrochemical Modulation of Silicon-Based Metasurfaces

“…15−17 Of these methods, electrochemical control is unique in that it entails the application of a potential gradient across a cell to reversibly move ions into and out of a host material. 18 The degree of ion saturation in the material corresponds to a refractive index shift and lattice augmentation as the electronic states and lattice parameters shift to accommodate ion insertion. 19 Thus, electrochemical actuation combines phase change, carrier insertion, and unit cell deformation, yielding several parameters, with which the propagation of light through the metasurface can be controlled.…”

“…In recent years, active elements have been incorporated into metasurface geometries to enable a broader functionality controlled by an applied stimulus. Notable examples include mechanical unit cell deformation, − phase-change materials, − and gate-tunable materials. − Of these methods, electrochemical control is unique in that it entails the application of a potential gradient across a cell to reversibly move ions into and out of a host material . The degree of ion saturation in the material corresponds to a refractive index shift and lattice augmentation as the electronic states and lattice parameters shift to accommodate ion insertion .…”

A corrugated epsilon-nearzero saturable absorber for a high-performance 1.3 μm solid-state bulk laser

“…[20][21][22][23][24] Transparent conductive oxides (TCOs), represented by indium tin oxide (ITO) films, which usually exhibit dielectric permittivity crossover near the optical communication band, have recently emerged as a better yet simpler material platform for exploiting ENZ behavior. [25][26][27][28][29] Because of their low optical loss, good complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) compatibility, 19 high LIDT, strong environmental stability, ENZ-enhanced NLO response, and sub-picosecond response time, 18 TCOs have been demonstrated in various nonlinear optics applications, such as harmonic conversion, terahertz wave generation, and optical switching. [30][31][32][33] Currently, there are many reports about TCO-based SAs and their applications in ultrafast pulsed lasers.…”