A new nanophotonic measurement technique

Our group has developed a unique cathodoluminescence spectroscopy instrument that enables the study of nanophotonic structures with deep-subwavelength resolution. The instrument uses a 30 keV electron beam in a SEM to excite nanophotonic structures, while the emitted light is collected by a parabolic mirror placed between the sample and the microscope's electron column. 

Spectral analysis: measuring the local optical density of states

The collected radiation is spectrally analyzed for every electron beam position, so that a two-dimensional emission map can be recorded. This map is a direct measure of the local optical density of states (LDOS). The LDOS can be determined with a spatial resolution of 10-30 nm at any wavelength between 450 and 1800 nm.

Angular measurements: momentum spectroscopy

The new instrument is equipped with an imaging CCD camera that records the beam profile emitted from the mirror. From this profile the angle-resolved radiation pattern from the sample can be derived, enabling "momentum spectroscopy", measuring the in-plane wave vector of light at every frequency and position. Using this technqiue the local bandstructure of periodic and aperiodic structures can be determined with a spatial resolution of 10-30 nm.

ARCIS publications

• Experimental verification of n=0 structures for visible light

  E.J.R. Vesseur, T. Coenen, H. Caglayan, N. Engheta, and A. Polman, Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 013902 (2013), PRL Editor's choice, Viewpoint in Physics 6, 1 (2013), and highlighted in Science 338, 727 (2012) and Nature 493, 143 (2013)

• Resonant Mie modes of single silicon nanocavities excited by electron irradiation
  T. Coenen, J. van de Groep, and A. Polman, ACS Nano 7 (2013), 10.1021/nn3056862

• Deep- subwavelength imaging of the modal dispersion of light
  R. Sapienza, T. Coenen, J. Renger, M. Kuttge, N.F. van Hulst, and A. Polman, Nature Mater. 11, 781 (2012)

• Dispersive ground plane antennas core-shell type optical monopole antennas fabricated with electron beam induced deposition

  H. Acar, T. Coenen, A.Polman, and L.Kuipers, ACS Nano DOI:10.1021/nn302907j (2012)

• Polarization-sensitive cathodoluminescence Fourier microscopy

  T. Coenen and A. Polman, Optics Express 20, 18679 (2012)

• Deep-subwavelength spatial characterization of angular emission from single-crystal Au plasmonic ridge nanoantennas
  T. Coenen, E.J.R. Vesseur, and A. Polman, ACS Nano 6, 1742 (2012)

• Signature of a Fano Resonance in a plasmonic metamolecule's local density of optical states
  M. Frimmer, T. Coenen and A.F. Koenderink, Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 077404 (2012)

• Plasmonic whispering gallery cavities as optical nanoantennas
  E.J.R. Vesseur and A. Polman, Nano Lett. 11, 5524 (2011)

• Controlled spontaneous emission from plasmonic whispering gallery nanoantennas
  E.J.R. Vesseur and A. Polman, Appl. Phys. Lett. 99, 231112 (2011)

• Angle-resolved cathodoluminescence imaging spectroscopy
  T. Coenen, E.J.R. Vesseur, and A. Polman, Appl. Phys. Lett. 99, 143103 (2011)

• Imaging of hidden modes in ultra-thin plasmonic strip antennas by cathodoluminescence
  E.S. Barnard, T. Coenen, E.J.R. Vesseur, A. Polman, and M.L. Brongersma, Nano Lett. 11, 4265 (2011)

• Directional emission from plasmonic Yagi-Uda antennas probed by angle-resolved cathodoluminescence

  T. Coenen, E.J.R. Vesseur, A. Polman, and A.F. Koenderink, Nano Lett. 11, 3779 (2011) 

• Broadband Purcell enhancement in plasmonic ring cavities
  E.J.R. Vesseur, F.J. García de Abajo, and A. Polman, Phys. Rev. B. 82, 165419 (2010)

• Ultrasmall mode volume plasmonic nanodisk resonators

  M. Kuttge, F.J. Garcia de Abajo and A. Polman, Nano Lett. 10, 1537 (2009)

• Modal decomposition of surface-plasmon whispering gallery resonators

  E.J.R. Vesseur, J. García de Abajo, and A. Polman, Nano Lett. 9, 3147 (2009)

• Dispersion of metal-insulator-metal plasmon polaritons probed by cathodoluminescence imaging spectroscopy
  M. Kuttge, W. Cai, F.J. García de Abajo, and A.Polman, Phys. Rev. B 80, 033409 (2009)

• How grooves reflect and confine surface plasmon polaritons
  M. Kuttge, F.J. García de Abajo, and A. Polman, Optics Express 17, 10385 (2009)

• Fabry–Pérot resonators for surface plasmon polaritons probed by cathodoluminescence

  M. Kuttge, E. J. R. Vesseur, and A. Polman, Appl. Phys. Lett. 94, 183104 (2009)

• Efficient generation of propagating plasmons by electron beams
  W. Cai, R. Sainidou, J. Xu, A. Polman, and F.J. Garcia de Abajo, Nano Lett. 9, 1176 (2009)

• Local density of states, spectrum, and far-field interference of surface plasmon polaritons probed by cathodoluminescence

  M. Kuttge, E.J.R. Vesseur, A.F. Koenderink, H.J. Lezec, H.A. Atwater, F.J. García de Abajo, and A. Polman, Phys. Rev. B 79, 113405 (2009)

• Loss mechanisms of surface plasmon polaritons on gold probed by cathodoluminescence imaging spectroscopy
  M. Kuttge, E. J. R. Vesseur, J. Verhoeven, H. J. Lezec, H. A. Atwater, and A. Polman, Appl. Phys. Lett. 93, 113110 (2008)

• Surface plasmon polariton modes in a single-crystal Au nanoresonator fabricated using focussed ion beam milling
  E.J.R. Vesseur, R. de Waele, H.J. Lezec, H.A. Atwater, J. Garcia de Abajo, and A. Polman, Appl. Phys. Lett. 92, 83110 (2008)

• Plasmonic modes in annular nanoresonators studied by spectrally resolved cathodoluminescence
  Carrie E. Hofmann, F.J.R. Vesseur, L.A. Sweatlock, H. Lezec, J. Garcia de Abajo, A. Polman, and H.A. Atwater, Nano Lett. 7, 3612 (2007)

• Direct observation of plasmonic modes in Au nanowires using high-resolution cathodoluminescence spectroscopy

  E.J.R. Vesseur, R. de Waele, M. Kuttge, and A. Polman, Nano Lett. 7, 2843 (2007)

• Direct imaging of propagation and damping of near-resonance surface plasmon polaritons using cathodoluminescence spectroscopy
  J.T. van Wijngaarden, E. Verhagen, A. Polman, C.E. Ross, H.J. Lezec, and H.A. Atwater, Appl. Phys. Lett. 88, 221111 (2006)