Topological Transitions in Metamaterials

Harish N.S. Krishnamoorthy, City University of New York (CUNY); Ctr Photon & Multiscale Nanomat
Zubin Jacob, University of Alberta
Evgenii Narimanov, Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University
Ilona Kretzschmar, City University of New York (CUNY)
Vinod M. Menon, City University of New York (CUNY)

Abstract

Light-matter interactions can be controlled by manipulating the photonic environment. We uncovered an optical topological transition in strongly anisotropic metamaterials that results in a dramatic increase in the photon density of states-an effect that can be used to engineer this interaction. We describe a transition in the topology of the iso-frequency surface from a closed ellipsoid to an open hyperboloid by use of artificially nanostructured metamaterials. We show that this topological transition manifests itself in increased rates of spontaneous emission of emitters positioned near the metamaterial. Altering the topology of the iso-frequency surface by using metamaterials provides a fundamentally new route to manipulating light-matter interactions.

Discipline(s)

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology