Phonon-polaritons are electromagnetic waves coupled to lattice vibrational modes in the THz frequency range in ferroelectric crystals where the mixed EM/lattice vibration waves travel at light-like speeds. We are able to generate, detect, and visualize the motions of polariton waves on a single chip at picosecond time scales through real-space imaging. We are further able to fabricate EM wave devices with specific structures and control the motions of the polaritons. The movies below are demontrations of generation, detection, and control of phonon polaritons. For more information, please read the references below or contact Team Polaritonics.

Movie 1. Broadband THz phonon-polariton generation in an unpatterned LiNbO₃ waveguide slab.

Movie 2. Diffraction off a grating.

Movie 3. Single-slit diffraction.

Movie 4. Double-slit diffraction.

Movie 5. Five-slit diffraction.

Movie 6. Y-coupler.

Movie 7. Focusing of ring-excited THz using an axicon.

Movie 8. THz field enhancement using a gold antenna.

Movie 9. THz propagation in a laser machined photonic crystal.

Movie 10. THz focusing using a Luneburg lens.

References

1. "Time-resolved imaging of near-fields in THz antennas and direct quantitative measurement of field enhancement," C. A. Werley, K. Fan, A. C. Strikwerda, S. M. Teo, X. Zhang, R. D. Averitt, and K. A. Nelson, Opt. Express 20, 8551-8567 (2012). [url]

2. "Direct visualization of terahertz electromagnetic waves in classic experimental geometries," C. A. Werley, C. R. Tait, and K. A. Nelson, Am. J. Phys. 80, 72-81 (2012). [url]

3. "Comparison of phase-sensitive imaging techniques for studying terahertz waves in structured LiNbO3", C.A. Werley, Q. Wu, K.-H. Lin, C.R. Tait, A. Dorn, and K.A. Nelson, J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 27, No. 11, 2350 (2010). [url]

4. "Terahertz Polaritonics," T. Feurer, N.S. Stoyanov, D.W. Ward, J.C. Vaughan, E.R. Statz, and K.A. Nelson, Annu. Rev. Mater. Res. 37, 317-350 (2007). [url]