A combination of concave/convex surfaces for field-enhancement optimization: the indented nanocone

Magazine article, 2012

We introduce a design strategy to maximize the Near Field (NF) enhancement on plasmonic antennas. We start by identifying and studying the basic electromagnetic effects that contribute to the electric near field enhancement. On a second step, we show how the concatenation of a convex and a concave surface allows merging all the effects on a single, continuous nanoantenna. As an example of this NF maximization strategy, we engineer a nanostructure, the indented nanocone. This structure, combines all the studied NF maximization effects with a synergistic boost provided by a Fano-like interference effect activated by the presence of the concave surface. As a result, the antenna exhibits a NF amplitude enhancement of 800, which transforms into 1600 when coupled to a perfect metallic surface. This strong enhancement makes the proposed structure a robust candidate to be used in field enhancement based technologies. Further elaborations of the concept may produce even larger and more effective enhancements.