Using electrons as a high-resolution probe of optical modes in individual nanowires.
While nanowires show increasing promise for optoelectronic applications, probing the subwavelength details of their optical modes has been a challenge with light-based techniques. Here we report the excitation of dielectric optical waveguide modes in a single GaN nanowire using transition radiation generated by a 1 nm diameter electron beam. This spatially resolved study opens important gateways to probing the optical modes of more complex nanostructures, fundamental for optimization of optoelectronic device performance.
Arslan
Ilke
I
Sandia National Laboratories, 7011 East Avenue, Livermore, California 94550, USA. iarslan@ucdavis.edu
Hyun
Jerome K
JK
Erni
Rolf
R
Fairchild
Michael N
MN
Hersee
Stephen D
SD
Muller
David A
DA
D003198:Computer Simulation; D004583:Electrons; D008027:Light; D008956:Models, Chemical; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D010316:Particle Size