Dynamic control of localized plasmonic modes using light polarization

Abstract

We present a dynamic control of localized plasmonic modes excited by optical fields with orthogonal "X" or "Y" polarization in a combined structure of metamaterials. In this work, a localized asymmetric mode selectively excited by a "Y" polarized light renders the incident light transparent as a result of destructive interference, which is analogous to electromagnetically induced transparency in quantum physics. In contrast, a localized symmetric mode excited by an orthogonally "X" polarized light directly couples with the incident light resulting in absorption, which is analogous to optical nanoantennas. Dynamic control of localized asymmetric and symmetric plasmon modes in a near-field zone, resulting in highly contrasting responses in the far-field zone, holds potential for plasmonic switching in metamaterials. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.