Polarization-controlled directional scattering for nanoscopic position sensing

Martin Neugebauer, Paweł Woźniak, Ankan Bag, Gerd Leuchs and Peter Banzer ()
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Martin Neugebauer: Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light
Paweł Woźniak: Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light
Ankan Bag: Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light
Gerd Leuchs: Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light
Peter Banzer: Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light

Nature Communications, 2016, vol. 7, issue 1, 1-6

Abstract: Abstract Controlling the propagation and coupling of light to sub-wavelength antennas is a crucial prerequisite for many nanoscale optical devices. Recently, the main focus of attention has been directed towards high-refractive-index materials such as silicon as an integral part of the antenna design. This development is motivated by the rich spectral properties of individual high-refractive-index nanoparticles. Here we take advantage of the interference of their magnetic and electric resonances to achieve strong lateral directionality. For controlled excitation of a spherical silicon nanoantenna, we use tightly focused radially polarized light. The resultant directional emission depends on the antenna’s position relative to the focus. This approach finds application as a novel position sensing technique, which might be implemented in modern nanometrology and super-resolution microscopy set-ups. We demonstrate in a proof-of-concept experiment that a lateral resolution in the Ångström regime can be achieved.

Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11286

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