Properties of SiC structures
Using FTIR microspectroscopy we study the optical properties of individual subwavelength diameter rod-shaped SiC particles.
SEM of a SiC particle
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Metamaterials
At frequencies below the transverse optical phonon frequency, SiC behaves like a very high refractive index dielectric, and the particles support a variety of electromagnetic modes. Analytical calculations suggest that these particle resonances can be used to make partially isotropic dielectric metamaterials with a negative refractive index.
Optical Constants for SiC Rod Array
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Near Field Microscopy
At frequencies above the transverse optical phonon frequency, the dielectric function of SiC is negative and the particles exhibit surface phonon-polariton modes. These electromagnetic modes are similar to [http://brongersma.stanford.edu/main/Plasmonics plasmon-polaritons] at visible wavelengths but have considerably less damping. The enhanced electric fields supported by SiC particles could enable high sensitivity near-field microscopy probes.
SiC Particle Affixed to an AFM Probe
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Superlens
Exploiting the properties of surface phonon-polaritons on a planar surface, we have designed and investigated the phenomena of "superlensing". A thin film of SiC focuses light to a sub-wavelength volume, circumventing the conventional diffraction limit.
Schematic of Superlensing Experiment
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