Work

Low-Power Threshold Optical Bistability Enabled by Hydrodynamic Kerr Nonlinearity of Free Carriers in Heavily Doped Semiconductors

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: We develop an efficient numerical model based on the semiclassical hydrodynamic theory for studying Kerr nonlinearity in degenerate electron systems such as heavily doped semiconductors. This model provides direct access to the electromagnetic responses of the quantum nature of the plasmons in heavily doped semiconductors with complex geometries, which is nontrivial for conventional frameworks. Using this model, we demonstrate nanoscale optical bistability at an exceptionally low-power threshold of 1 mW by leveraging Kerr-type hydrodynamic nonlinearities supported by the heavily doped semiconductor's free carriers. This high nonlinearity is enabled by a strong coupling between metallic gap plasmons and longitudinal bulk plasmons in the semiconductor due to quantum pressure. These findings offer a viable approach to studying Kerr-type nonlinearity and lay the groundwork for developing efficient and ultrafast all-optical nonlinear devices.

Source: ACS Photonics

DOI: 10.1021/acsphotonics.4c01308

Authors: Huatian Hu, Gonzalo Álvarez-Pérez, Tadele Orbula Otomalo, Cristian Ciracì

Institutions: Italian Institute of Technology, Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies

Language: English

Topic: Plasmonic and Surface Plasmon Research

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500

Funders: HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme, HORIZON EUROPE European Innovation Council