FDTD simulation of optical nano-antennas

Advisors: Dr. Hadi Eghlidi, Prof. Dimos Poulikakos

Introduction
The recent advancement in nano-fabrication has made it possible to fabricate confined metallic structures at nano scales. Such structures have been widely used as so-called nanoantennas for optical frequencies. The novel technique of direct printing nano structures developed in our group has opened the door to low-cost fabrication of nano-sized three-dimensional (3D) metallic structures. We aim to apply such structures in demanding applications including producing and sensing hydrogen, improving photovoltaic effect, and devising new artificial materials. However, prior to fabrication we need a precise understanding and optimization of metallic nano structures interacting with optical waves. This could only be achieved by numerical simulations. We use a finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method to solve the wave (Maxwells) equations in these structures. The method is based on discretizing the computational space and directly solving the discretized equations. The codes are available for 2D and 3D dielectric structures. However, they need to be improved and adapted for metallic structures. Further steps, could be designing a graphic interface where the geometry of the structures and the parameters could be defined.

Fig. 1. Optical antennas for improving light-matter interaction. (a) An optical antenna (here a metallic particle shown in yellow) can very efficiently deliver the free-propagating light to matter in nano-scale. (b) An optical antenna can also efficiently extract the light produced by matter and convert it to free-propagating waves. (c) The new nanoprinting technique developed in our group has made it possible to fabricate 3D optical antennas [1,2].

Proposed Thesis
Through implementing this general-purpose full-wave simulation technique, the student will aquire a deep understanding of elctrodynamics in nanoscale structures. She/he will also become familiar with state of the art plasmonic nanostructures and their unique applications in emerging technologies. Furthermore, she/he will have the opportunity to work within a multi-disciplinary team of mechanical, electrical, and material engineers. Basic knowledge about electromagnetics and Maxwells equations and programming in MATLAB are required.

References:
[1] N. C. Schirmer, C. Kullmann, M.S. Schmid, B. R. Burg, T. Schwamb and D. Poulikakos. On ejecting colloids against capillarity from submicrometer openings: on-demand dielectrophoretic nanoprinting. Advanced Materials 22, 4701-4705 (2010). [2] N. C. Schirmer, S. Strhle, M. K. Tiwari, and D. Poulikakos. On the principles of printing submicrometer 3D structures from dielectric-liquid-based colloids. Advanced Functional Materials 21, 388 395 (2011).
Laboratory of Thermodynamics in Emerging Technologies (LTNT) Contact: hadi.eghlidi@ltnt.iet.mavt.ethz.ch 14.11.2011 Page 1 of 1