The unusual electromagnetic response of structured metamaterials, combined with the strong resonant effects and field enhancement enabled by plasmonics, represents a particularly appealing avenue of research for scattering and radiation engineering. Based on these concepts, I have been actively investigating to what extent we can control and engineer the scattering of individual sub-wavelength nanoparticles, which are one of the fundamental building blocks of optical metamaterials and nanophotonics. In particular, my work has shown that composite plasmonic-dielectric nanoparticles represent an ideal platform to realize invisibility effects, resonant scattering and light trapping, which are among the most intriguing optical phenomena. Furthermore, I have studied how these seemingly unrelated effects are tightly connected and can be combined to obtain even more striking scattering anomalies, including multiple ultra-narrow Fano resonances, super-scattering optical states or purely non-radiating states (see, e.g., the figure below). These findings may open exciting possibilities for bio-chemical sensing, optical tagging/imaging, enhanced nonlinear effects and optical switching, at wavelengths from the mid-infrared to the ultraviolet range.
Related Publications:
[1] F. Monticone,and A. Alù, “Scattering at the Extreme with Metamaterials and Plasmonics,” in A Handbook of Metamaterials and Nanophotonics, S. Maier, K. Shamonina, S. Guenneau, O. Hess, J. Aizpurua, eds., World Scientific, in press.
[2] C. Argyropoulos, F. Monticone, G. D’Aguanno, and A. Alù, “Plasmonic Nanoparticles and Metasurfaces to Realize Fano Spectra at Ultraviolet Wavelengths,” Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 103, No. 14, 143113 (4 pages), October 1, 2013. (web)
[3] F. Monticone, C. Argyropoulos, and A. Alù, “Multi-Layered Plasmonic Covers for Comblike Scattering Response and Optical Tagging,” Physical Review Letters, Vol. 110, No. 11, 113901 (5 pages), March 12, 2013. (web) [This paper has been selected as PRL Editor’s suggestion].
[4] F. Monticone, C. Argyropoulos, and A. Alù, “Layered Plasmonic Cloaks to Tailor the Optical Scattering at the Nanoscale,” Scientific Reports, Special Issue for E-MRS 2012, Vol. 2, No. 912, December 3, 2012 (invited paper). (web)
[5] C. Argyropoulos, P. Y. Chen, F. Monticone, G. D’Aguanno, and A. Alù, “Nonlinear Plasmonic Cloaks to Realize Giant All-Optical Scattering Switching,” Physical Review Letters, Vol. 108, No. 26, 263905 (5 pages), June 27, 2012. (web)