Imaging light scattered by a subwavelength nanofiber, from near field to far field

Abstract

We present a direct experimental investigation of the optical field distribution around a suspended tapered optical nanofiber by means of a fluorescent scanning probe. Using a 100 nm diameter fluorescent bead as a probe of the field intensity, we study interferences made by a nanofiber (400 nm diameter) scattering a plane wave (568 nm wavelength). Our scanning fluorescence near-field microscope maps the optical field over 36 µm 2 , with λ/5 resolution, from contact with the surface of the nanofiber to a few micrometers away. Comparison between experiments and Mie scattering theory allows us to precisely determine the emitter-nanofiber distance and experimental drifts.

Complete polarization control for a nanofiber waveguide using the scattering properties

“…To compute the dipole radiation patterns, we employ the diffraction theory of a plane wave by a dielectric cylinder, which we refer to as Mie theory [24,25]. We present in the Fig.…”

Nanofiber based displacement sensor

“…Two linear polarisations can be used, either parallel or perpendicular to the nanofiber axis. The force given by the Mie theory is [30,31]:…”

Full control of polarization in tapered optical nanofibers

“…To compute the dipole radiation patterns, we employ the diffraction theory of a plane wave by a dielectric cylinder, which we refer to as Mie theory [20,21]. We present in the figure 3.…”