Abstract: Aspects and embodiments relate to a plasmonic metamaterial structure, applications and devices including that plasmonic metamaterial structure, and a method of forming that plasmonic metamaterial structure. Aspects and embodiments provide a plasmonic metamaterial structure which comprises: a plurality of optical antenna elements. The plurality of optical antenna elements comprise: a first electrode, a second electrode and a plasmonic nanostructure element located between the first and second electrode to form an electron tunnelling junction between the first and second electrodes. The plurality of optical antenna elements are configured such that the electromagnetic field of one optical antenna element spatially overlaps that of adjacent optical antenna elements and adjacent optical antenna elements are electromagnetically coupled to allow the plurality of optical antenna elements to act as a plasmonic metamaterial.

Abstract: Aspects and embodiments relate to a plasmonic metamaterial structure, applications and devices including that plasmonic metamaterial structure, and a method of forming that plasmonic metamaterial structure. Aspects and embodiments provide a plasmonic metamaterial structure which comprises: a plurality of optical antenna elements. The plurality of optical antenna elements comprise: a first electrode, a second electrode and a plasmonic nanostructure element located between the first and second electrode to form an electron tunnelling junction between the first and second electrodes. The plurality of optical antenna elements are configured such that the electromagnetic field of one optical antenna element spatially overlaps that of adjacent optical antenna elements and adjacent optical antenna elements are electromagnetically coupled to allow the plurality of optical antenna elements to act as a plasmonic metamaterial.

Abstract: A plasmonic switching device and method of providing a plasmonic switching device. An example device includes a resonant cavity and an electromagnetic radiation feed arranged to couple electromagnetic radiation into the resonant cavity and at least one plasmonic mode. The resonant cavity is arranged to be switchable between: a first state in which the resonant cavity has an operational characteristic selected to allow resonance of the electromagnetic radiation at a frequency of the at least one plasmonic mode; and a second state in which the operational characteristic of the resonant cavity is adjusted to inhibit resonance of the electromagnetic radiation at a frequency of the at least one plasmonic mode.

Abstract: A plasmonic switching device and method of providing a plasmonic switching device. An example device includes a resonant cavity and an electromagnetic radiation feed arranged to couple electromagnetic radiation into the resonant cavity and at least one plasmonic mode. The resonant cavity is arranged to be switchable between: a first state in which the resonant cavity has an operational characteristic selected to allow resonance of the electromagnetic radiation at a frequency of the at least one plasmonic mode; and a second state in which the operational characteristic of the resonant cavity is adjusted to inhibit resonance of the electromagnetic radiation at a frequency of the at least one plasmonic mode.

Abstract: A plasmonic switching device and method of providing a plasmonic switching device. An example device includes a resonant cavity and an electromagnetic radiation feed arranged to couple electromagnetic radiation into the resonant cavity and at least one plasmonic mode. The resonant cavity is arranged to be switchable between: a first state in which the resonant cavity has an operational characteristic selected to allow resonance of the electromagnetic radiation at a frequency of the at least one plasmonic mode; and a second state in which the operational characteristic of the resonant cavity is adjusted to inhibit resonance of the electromagnetic radiation at a frequency of the at least one plasmonic mode.

Abstract: A plasmonic switching device and method of providing a plasmonic switching device. An example device includes a resonant cavity and an electromagnetic radiation feed arranged to couple electromagnetic radiation into the resonant cavity and at least one plasmonic mode. The resonant cavity is arranged to be switchable between: a first state in which the resonant cavity has an operational characteristic selected to allow resonance of the electromagnetic radiation at a frequency of the at least one plasmonic mode; and a second state in which the operational characteristic of the resonant cavity is adjusted to inhibit resonance of the electromagnetic radiation at a frequency of the at least one plasmonic mode.

Abstract: A plasmonic hydrogen detector and method of constructing a plasmonic hydrogen detector. The plasmonic hydrogen detector comprises: a structure comprising a support and a plurality of nanostructure elements. The plurality of nanostructure elements comprise a plasmonic material and a hydrogen sensitive material. The plurality of nanostructure elements are configured on the support to allow the structure to act as a plasmonic metamaterial. The hydrogen sensitive material is configured to cause a change in permittivity of the plasmonic metamaterial in the presence of hydrogen. Aspects and embodiments described recognise that use of a plasmonic metamaterial as a hydrogen detector can result in a highly sensitive detector. That sensitivity stems from the sensitivity of strong plasmonic coupling between individual nanostructure elements in the metamaterial to external perturbations, for example, as a result of a physical or chemical environmental change.

Abstract: A plasmonic coupling device (1) comprising a first structure (2), and a second structure (3) comprising two or more conductive nanoparticles (7), wherein each nanoparticle is elongate and is attached to the first structure such that it is oriented with a major axis thereof substantially perpendicular to the first structure. In a plasmonic coupling device comprising such nanoparticles, radiation incident on the device can produce localised surface plasmons in the nanoparticles. The localised surface plasmons can become deiocalised along the device, due to the near-field electromagnetic interaction between the two or more nanoparticles or between the one or more nanoparticles of an assembly and a nearby assembly or assemblies. This interaction allows for electro-magnetic energy, and the radiation, to be efficiently coupled between the nanoparticles or between the assemblies of one or more nanoparticles.

Abstract: A system (10) for optical processing based on light-controlled photon tunneling is provided. The system (10) includes a prism (12) having a metallic film layer (14) formed on an upper surface thereof. The metallic film layer (14) has a microscopic aperture (18) formed therethrough and the microscopic aperture (18) is covered by a layer of non-linear optical film. A first light beam (30) is projected towards aperture (18) and photons from first light beam (30) tunnel through aperture (18). A second light beam (32) is also projected towards microscopic aperture (18), with the second light beam (32) having a different wavelength than that of light beam (30). Selective actuation and modulation of light beam (32) allows for selective control over the rate and intensity of the photons which tunnel through microscopic aperture (18).

Abstract: A system (10) for optical processing based on light-controlled photon tunneling is provided. The system (10) includes a prism (12) having a metallic film layer (14) formed on an upper surface thereof. The metallic film layer (14) has a microscopic aperture (18) formed therethrough and the microscopic aperture (18) is covered by a layer of non-linear optical film. A first light beam (30) is projected towards aperture (18) and photons from first light beam (30) tunnel through aperture (18). A second light beam (32) is also projected towards microscopic aperture (18), with the second light beam (32) having a different wavelength than that of light beam (30). Selective actuation and modulation of light beam (32) allows for selective control over the rate and intensity of the photons which tunnel through microscopic aperture (18).