2018/02/05 by Francesco Monticone, Monticone, Francesco, Hugo M. Doeleman +7 · 1 citation
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Plasmonic and Surface Plasmon Research #Mechanical and Optical Resonators #Photonic and Optical Devices
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1802.01466
Confining electromagnetic energy is crucial to enhance light-matter\ninteractions, with important implications for science and technology. Here, we\ndiscuss the opportunities offered by trapping and confining light in open\nstructures, based on the concept of embedded eigenstates within the radiation\ncontinuum enabled by zero-index metamaterials. Building upon the physical\ninsights offered by our analysis, we put forward a general platform that allows\nrealizing extremely high field enhancements in open structures under external\nillumination. Structures supporting embedded eigenstates represent a rare\nexample of physical systems in which extreme - in principle unbounded -\nresponses can be tamed. Our proposed design recipe to realize bound states in\nthe continuum also offers a simple model that allows testing important\nquestions that surround the concept of embedded eigenstates, such as their\neffect on the local density of photonic states. Our findings help clarifying\nwhich nano-optical and radio-wave applications may benefit from this unusual\nand singular response.\n