Squeezing millimeter waves through a single, nanometer-wide, centimeter-long slit

Authors

Xiaoshu Chen, University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Hyeong Ryeol Park, University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Nathan C. Lindquist, Bethel University
Jonah Shaver, University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Matthew Pelton, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)
Sang Hyun Oh, University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Document Type

Article

Abstract

We demonstrate broadband non-resonant squeezing of terahertz (THz) waves through an isolated 2-nm-wide, 2-cm-long slit (aspect ratio of 107), representing a maximum intensity enhancement factor of one million. Unlike resonant nanogap structures, a single, effectively infinitely-long slit passes incident electromagnetic waves with no cutoff, enhances the electric field within the gap with a broad 1/f spectral response, and eliminates interference effects due to finite sample boundaries and adjacent elements. To construct such a uniform, isolated slit that is much longer than the millimeter-scale spot of a THz beam, we use atomic layer lithography to pattern vertical nanogaps in a metal film over an entire 4-inch wafer. We observe an increasing field enhancement as the slit width decreases from 20 nm to 2 nm, in agreement with numerical calculations.

Department(s)

Physics and Engineering

Publication Title

Scientific Reports

Volume

4

Publication Date

10-24-2014

DOI

10.1038/srep06722

E-ISSN

20452322

Recommended Citation

Chen, Xiaoshu; Park, Hyeong Ryeol; Lindquist, Nathan C.; Shaver, Jonah; Pelton, Matthew; and Oh, Sang Hyun, "Squeezing millimeter waves through a single, nanometer-wide, centimeter-long slit" (2014). Physics and Engineering Faculty Publications. 23.
https://spark.bethel.edu/physics-faculty/23