title: Frequency-chirped subwavelength nanoantennas.
abstract: Herein we propose, theoretically investigate, and numerically demonstrate the first use to our knowledge of frequency chirping to achieve broadband, efficient subwavelength vertical emission from a dielectric waveguide. We demonstrate this unique and effective approach in the telecom C band in a nanophotonic frequency-chirped dipole antenna. The structure utilizes a plasmonic antenna placed above an Si3N4 waveguide and a ground plane to enhance emission efficiency. Three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain simulations reveal up to 55% vertical emission efficiency, and a bandwidth of 500 nm is possible in a structure less than half a wavelength long. The design methodology and theoretical underpinnings of frequency-chirped nanophotonic antennas coupled to dielectric waveguides are presented.
authors.affiliation: Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA. amiya@mit.edu
authors.forename: Ami
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yaacobi
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Watts