Ultrafast modulation of optical metamaterials

Opt Express. 2009 Sep 28;17(20):17652-7. doi: 10.1364/OE.17.017652.

Abstract

We show by pump-probe spectroscopy that the optical response of a fishnet metamaterial can be modulated on the femtosecond time scale. The modulation dynamics is dominated by pump-induced changes in the constituting dielectric medium, but the strength of modulation is dramatically enhanced through the plasmon resonance. The pump-induced spectral responses of the metamaterial provide understanding on how the resonance is modified by pump excitation. Our study suggests that metamaterials can be used as high-speed amplitude/phase modulators with terahertz-bandwidth.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Computer Simulation
  • Light
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Scattering, Radiation
  • Surface Plasmon Resonance / methods*