Mapping Magnetic Near-Field Distributions of Plasmonic Nanoantennas

in ACS Nano (2013)

We present direct experimental mapping of the lateral magnetic near-field distribution in plasmonic nanoantennas using aperture scanning nearfield optical microscopy (SNOM). By means of full-field ... [more ▼]

We present direct experimental mapping of the lateral magnetic near-field distribution in plasmonic nanoantennas using aperture scanning nearfield optical microscopy (SNOM). By means of full-field simulations it is demonstrated how the coupling of the hollow-pyramid aperture probe to the nanoantenna induces an effective magnetic dipole which efficiently excites surface plasmon resonances only at lateral magnetic field maxima. This excitation in turn affects the detected light intensity enabling the visualization of the lateral magnetic near-field distribution of multiple odd and even order plasmon modes with subwavelength spatial resolution. [less ▲]

Influence of artificial pinning on vortex lattice instability in superconducting films

in New Journal of Physics (2012), 14

In superconducting films under an applied dc current, we analyze experimentally and theoretically the influence of engineered pinning on the vortex velocity at which the flux-flow dissipation undergoes an ... [more ▼]

In superconducting films under an applied dc current, we analyze experimentally and theoretically the influence of engineered pinning on the vortex velocity at which the flux-flow dissipation undergoes an abrupt transition from low to high resistance. We argue, based on a nonuniform distribution of vortex velocity in the sample, that in strongly disordered systems the mean critical vortex velocity for flux-flow instability (i) has a nonmonotonic dependence on magnetic field and (ii) decreases as the pinning strength is increased. These findings challenge the generally accepted microscopic model of Larkin and Ovchinnikov (1979 J. Low. Temp. Phys. 34 409) and all subsequent refinements of this model which ignore the presence of pinning centers. [less ▲]

Asymmetric Optical Second-Harmonic Generation from Chiral G-Shaped Gold Nanostructures

in Physical Review Letters (2010), 104(12),

We present a new electromagnetic phenomenon-the asymmetric second-harmonic generation from planar chiral structures. The effect consists in distinguishing the handedness of a chiral material by rotating ... [more ▼]

We present a new electromagnetic phenomenon-the asymmetric second-harmonic generation from planar chiral structures. The effect consists in distinguishing the handedness of a chiral material by rotating the sample in an experiment involving solely linearly polarized light. This phenomenon originates in the surface plasmon resonance of chiral gold nanostructures, where homodyne interference of anisotropic and chiral electric and/or magnetic multipoles appears to play an important role. [less ▲]

Direct visualization of magnetic vortex pinning in superconductors

in Physical Review. B : Condensed Matter (2009), 79(14),

We study the vortex structure in a Pb film deposited on top of a periodic array of ferromagnetic square microrings by combining two high-resolution imaging techniques: Bitter decoration and scanning Hall ... [more ▼]

We study the vortex structure in a Pb film deposited on top of a periodic array of ferromagnetic square microrings by combining two high-resolution imaging techniques: Bitter decoration and scanning Hall-probe microscopy (SHPM). The periodicity and strength of the magnetic pinning potential generated by the square microrings are controlled by the magnetic history of the template. When the square rings are in the magnetized dipolar state, known as the onion state, the strong stray field generated at the domain walls prevents the decoration of vortices. SHPM images show that the stray field generated by the dipoles is much stronger than the vortex field, in agreement with the results of simulations. Real-space vortex imaging has revealed that in the onion state, the corners of the square rings act as effective pinning centers for vortices. [less ▲]

Switchable magnetic dipole induced guided vortex motion

in Applied Physics Letters (2008), 93(2),

We present evidence of magnetically controlled vortex motion in an Al film on top of a periodic array of Permalloy square rings. The resulting magnetic template generates a strongly anisotropic pinning ... [more ▼]

We present evidence of magnetically controlled vortex motion in an Al film on top of a periodic array of Permalloy square rings. The resulting magnetic template generates a strongly anisotropic pinning potential landscape for vortices in the superconducting layer. Transport measurements show that this anisotropy is able to confine the flux motion along the high symmetry axes of the square lattice of dipoles. This guided vortex motion can be rerouted by 90 degrees simply changing the dipole orientation or even suppressed by inducing a flux-closure magnetic state with very low stray fields in the rings. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics. [less ▲]