Bethe-hole polarization analyser for the magnetic vector of light
| Autor: | Sukmo Koo, Dongmok Kim, W. S. Bak, Naomi J. Halas, Hwi Kim, H. W. Kihm, Q. H. Kim, Namkyoo Park, Peter Nordlander, J. E. Kihm, Kui Bao, S. H. Eah, Christoph Lienau |
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| Rok vydání: | 2011 |
| Předmět: |
Physics
Multidisciplinary business.industry Linear polarization General Physics and Astronomy Physics::Optics General Chemistry Polarizer Optical field Elliptical polarization General Biochemistry Genetics and Molecular Biology Article Magnetic field law.invention Polarization density Optics law Electric field business Circular polarization |
| Zdroj: | Nature Communications |
| ISSN: | 2041-1723 |
| Popis: | The nature of light as an electromagnetic wave with transverse components has been confirmed using optical polarizers, which are sensitive to the orientation of the electric field. Recent advances in nanoscale optical technologies demand their magnetic counterpart, which can sense the orientation of the optical magnetic field. Here we report that subwavelength metallic apertures on infinite plane predominantly sense the magnetic field of light, establishing the orientation of the magnetic component of light as a separate entity from its electric counterpart. A subwavelength aperture combined with a tapered optical fibre probe can also serve as a nanoscale polarization analyser for the optical magnetic field, analogous to a nanoparticle sensing the local electric polarization. As proof of its functionality, we demonstrate the measurement of a magnetic field orientation that is parallel to the electric field, as well as a circularly polarized magnetic field in the presence of a linearly polarized electric field. Determining the direction of the magnetic field of light is important for optical applications. Here, scattering of light from a subwavelength aperture in a metal plane is shown to be governed by its magnetic vector, providing the magnetic field orientation independently of the electric field. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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