In the world of light science and technology, the idea of confining light to subnanometer scales has long been a dream. However, recent advancements by researchers at Zhejiang University have brought us closer than ever to achieving this extraordinary feat. Traditional methods of localizing light, such as dielectric confinement and plasmonic confinement, have faced challenges like precision fabrication and optical loss, hindering the achievement of sub-10 nanometer or even 1-nm level confinement. But now, a new waveguiding scheme, reported in Advanced Photonics, offers a glimmer of hope in unlocking subnanometer optical fields.
A Transformative Journey
Imagine this: light traveling through a regular optical fiber, undergoing a transformative journey through a fiber taper, and ultimately finding its destination in a coupled-nanowire-pair (CNP). Within the CNP, something extraordinary happens – the light adopts a nano-slit mode that generates a confined optical field as small as approximately 0.3 nm. The efficiency of this novel approach is nothing short of astonishing, reaching up to 95% with a high peak-to-background ratio. This breakthrough opens up a whole new world of possibilities.
The new waveguiding scheme doesn’t stop at 0.3 nm; it extends its reach even further into the mid-infrared spectral range. Now, optical confinement can reach an astonishing scale of approximately 0.2 nm (λ/20000), offering even more opportunities for exploration and discovery. This expansion of the nano-universe presents exciting prospects for the field of light science.
Professor Limin Tong, from the Zhejiang University Nanophotonics Group, emphasizes the advantages of this groundbreaking waveguiding scheme. Unlike previous methods, this new approach functions as a linear optical system, providing a range of benefits. It enables broadband and ultrafast pulsed operation and allows for the combination of multiple sub-nanometer optical fields. By engineering spatial, spectral, and temporal sequences within a single output, the waveguiding scheme holds tremendous potential for limitless possibilities.
Awe-Inspiring Applications
The potential applications of this breakthrough are truly awe-inspiring. An optical field so localized that it can interact with individual molecules or atoms opens up opportunities for advancements in various fields. The ability to manipulate light-matter interactions, realize super-resolution nanoscopy, perform atom/molecule manipulation, and achieve ultrasensitive detection is now within our reach. We stand on the brink of a new era of discovery in which the unimaginably small realms of existence are accessible.
The remarkable progress made by the researchers at Zhejiang University in confining light to subnanometer scales is a significant breakthrough in the world of light science and technology. Through their innovative waveguiding scheme, they have opened doors to new possibilities and expanded the boundaries of the nano-universe. With the potential applications spanning a wide range of fields, this breakthrough holds immense promise for advancements in various scientific disciplines. As we embark on this new era of discovery, we have the opportunity to explore and understand the infinitesimally small realms of existence like never before.
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