Gold helix photonic metamaterial as broadband circular polarizer

Science. 2009 Sep 18;325(5947):1513-5. doi: 10.1126/science.1177031. Epub 2009 Aug 20.

Abstract

We investigated propagation of light through a uniaxial photonic metamaterial composed of three-dimensional gold helices arranged on a two-dimensional square lattice. These nanostructures are fabricated via an approach based on direct laser writing into a positive-tone photoresist followed by electrochemical deposition of gold. For propagation of light along the helix axis, the structure blocks the circular polarization with the same handedness as the helices, whereas it transmits the other, for a frequency range exceeding one octave. The structure is scalable to other frequency ranges and can be used as a compact broadband circular polarizer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't