Abstract: A method for detecting or identifying a chemical analyte includes measuring a nontrivial set of correlations between optical illumination wavelengths of a sample and emission wavelengths of the sample. The method includes comparing the measured set of correlations to a reference nontrivial set of correlations between optical illumination and emission wavelengths of a specific chemical analyte. The method also includes determining whether the specific chemical analyte is present in the sample based on a result of the comparing.

Abstract: A method for detecting or identifying a chemical analyte includes measuring a nontrivial set of correlations between optical illumination wavelengths of a sample and emission wavelengths of the sample. The method includes comparing the measured set of correlations to a reference nontrivial set of correlations between optical illumination and emission wavelengths of a specific chemical analyte. The method also includes determining whether the specific chemical analyte is present in the sample based on a result of the comparing.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a plasmonic device has a beam splitter adapted to split a surface-plasmon (SP) input beam into first and second SP beams and direct them along first and second propagation paths, respectively. One of the propagation paths has a plasmonic-beam interaction region adapted to controllably change the phase of the corresponding split beam within that interaction region in response to an SP control signal applied thereto. The plasmonic device further has an SP beam mixer adapted to receive the first and second beams from their respective propagation paths and to mix them to produce an SP output signal. In various configurations, the plasmonic device can operate as a plasmonic-signal amplifier, a plasmonic-beam router, a 1×2 plasmonic-beam switch, and/or a plasmonic modulator.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a surface-plasmon (SP) beam generated by an SP source and directed via an SP waveguide is applied to a gate node of a field-effect transistor (FET). The FET also has a source node and a drain node. In a representative configuration, the gate, source, and drain nodes are electrically biased to pass an electrical current between the source and drain nodes in a manner that makes the electrical current responsive to the intensity of the SP beam.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate having a metallic surface, a structure, and a dielectric object facing the metallic top surface. The structure is configured to optically produce surface plasmon polaritons that propagate on the metallic surface. The dielectric object is controllable to adjust values of the dielectric constant at an array of different positions along and near to the metallic surface.

Abstract: A frequency-conversion method that uses a nonlinear optical process to transfer energy between a surface-plasmon (SP) wave that is guided along an electrically conducting strip and a light beam that is guided along an optical waveguide whose core is adjacent to the electrically conducting strip. A periodic structure spatially modulates the nonlinear susceptibility of the waveguide core with a spatial period that is related to a momentum mismatch in the nonlinear optical process. The spatial modulation provides quasi-phase matching for the SP wave and the light beam and enables efficient energy transfer between them.

Abstract: A frequency-conversion method that uses a nonlinear optical process to transfer energy between a surface-plasmon (SP) wave that is guided along an electrically conducting strip and a light beam that is guided along an optical waveguide whose core is adjacent to the electrically conducting strip. A periodic structure spatially modulates the nonlinear susceptibility of the waveguide core with a spatial period that is related to a momentum mismatch in the nonlinear optical process. The spatial modulation provides quasi-phase matching for the SP wave and the light beam and enables efficient energy transfer between them.

Abstract: An optical frequency converter that uses a nonlinear optical process to transfer energy between a surface-plasmon (SP) wave that is guided along an electrically conducting strip and a light beam that is guided along an optical waveguide whose core is adjacent to the electrically conducting strip. The optical frequency converter has a periodic structure that spatially modulates the nonlinear susceptibility of the waveguide core with a spatial period that is related to a momentum mismatch in the nonlinear optical process. The spatial modulation provides quasi-phase matching for the SP wave and the light beam and enables efficient energy transfer between them.

Abstract: An optical frequency converter that uses a nonlinear optical process to transfer energy between a surface-plasmon (SP) wave that is guided along an electrically conducting strip and a light beam that is guided along an optical waveguide whose core is adjacent to the electrically conducting strip. The optical frequency converter has a periodic structure that spatially modulates the nonlinear susceptibility of the waveguide core with a spatial period that is related to a momentum mismatch in the nonlinear optical process. The spatial modulation provides quasi-phase matching for the SP wave and the light beam and enables efficient energy transfer between them.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an object formed of a quasi-1D crystalline material that is capable of supporting a free sliding density wave state. The apparatus also includes first and second input terminals that connect across a portion of the object and first and second output terminals that connect across the same portion of the object.

Abstract: An apparatus 100, comprising an optical component 105 having a stack 180 of layers 182 of electrically conductive flexible polymers, the stack being a metamaterial.

Abstract: A method for producing a 3D image includes providing a pixel-by-pixel map over a preselected aperture of relative phases for coherent light scattered by or transmitted through a desired scene. The method includes positioning micro-mirrors of a reconfigurable mirror array to produce reflected light whose wave front has the pixel-by-pixel map over the preselected aperture in response to the array being illuminated with a coherent light beam. The method includes illuminating the reconfigurable mirror array with the coherent light beam to enable producing a 3D image of the desired scene.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a surface-plasmon (SP) beam generated by an SP source and directed via an SP waveguide is applied to a gate node of a field-effect transistor (FET). The FET also has a source node and a drain node. In a representative configuration, the gate, source, and drain nodes are electrically biased to pass an electrical current between the source and drain nodes in a manner that makes the electrical current responsive to the intensity of the SP beam.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a plasmonic device has a beam splitter adapted to split a surface-plasmon (SP) input beam into first and second SP beams and direct them along first and second propagation paths, respectively. One of the propagation paths has a plasmonic-beam interaction region adapted to controllably change the phase of the corresponding split beam within that interaction region in response to an SP control signal applied thereto. The plasmonic device further has an SP beam mixer adapted to receive the first and second beams from their respective propagation paths and to mix them to produce an SP output signal. In various configurations, the plasmonic device can operate as a plasmonic-signal amplifier, a plasmonic-beam router, a 1×2 plasmonic-beam switch, and/or a plasmonic modulator.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a circuit element for a plasmonic circuit is formed using a dielectric layer having two portions, each characterized by a different electric permittivity. The dielectric layer is adjacent to a metal layer, with the interface between the layers defining a conduit for propagation of surface plasmons. A dielectric boundary between the two portions of the dielectric layer is shaped to enable the circuit element to change one or more of propagation direction, cross-section, spectral composition, and intensity distribution for a beam of surface plasmons received by the circuit element.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate having a metallic surface, a structure, and a dielectric object facing the metallic top surface. The structure is configured to optically produce surface plasmon polaritons that propagate on the metallic surface. The dielectric object is controllable to adjust values of the dielectric constant at an array of different positions along and near to the metallic surface.

Abstract: A method for producing a 3D image includes providing a pixel-by-pixel map over a preselected aperture of relative phases for coherent light scattered by or transmitted through a desired scene. The method includes positioning micro-mirrors of a reconfigurable mirror array to produce reflected light whose wave front has the pixel-by-pixel map over the preselected aperture in response to the array being illuminated with a coherent light beam. The method includes illuminating the reconfigurable mirror array with the coherent light beam to enable producing a 3D image of the desired scene.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a chamber, an electro-mechanical driver, a window, and a mechanical cantilever. The chamber has an interior in which the mechanical cantilever is located. The mechanical cantilever has a first end that is attached to the electro-mechanical driver and has second end that is free. The driver is configured to drive the mechanical cantilever to perform an oscillatory motion. The window is located along a wall of the chamber to enable external light to enter the chamber and illuminate a portion of the mechanical cantilever. The mechanical cantilever is configured to mechanically respond to being illuminated by the external light entering the chamber via the window.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a chamber, an electromechanical driver, a window, and a mechanical cantilever. The chamber has an interior in which the mechanical cantilever is located. The mechanical cantilever has a first end that is attached to the electro-mechanical driver and has second end that is free. The driver is configured to drive the mechanical cantilever to perform an oscillatory motion. The window is located along a wall of the chamber to enable external light to enter the chamber and illuminate a portion of the mechanical cantilever. The mechanical cantilever is configured to mechanically respond to being illuminated by the external light entering the chamber via the window.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a sample stage, a cantilever mount, a cantilever-force detector, a cantilever feedback system, and a sample stage feedback system. The sample stage is configured for holding a sample. The cantilever mount is configured for mechanically fixing a mechanical cantilever having a scanning tip. The cantilever-force detector is configured to produce an electrical cantilever-force error signal. The cantilever feedback system is configured to electromechanically drive the mechanical cantilever in a manner responsive to the cantilever-force error signal. The sample stage feedback system is configured to electromechanically displace the sample stage in a manner responsive to the cantilever-force error signal. The cantilever feedback system and the sample stage feedback system are connected to receive the cantilever-force error signal in parallel.