Resonant micro- and nano-structured photonic devices based on composite materials

Periodic structures are suitable to make wavelength selective photonic devices for a large variety of applications ranging from fiber optic communications, biosensors, and lasers. We present our experimental and simulation results on guided wave devices, which can be switched and tuned by light driving signals in micro-and nanostructured device geometries. Wavelength selectivity is obtained by using either Bragg diffraction or plasmonic resonances in photosensitive composite materials , which can be controlled by very low power optical beams. Electro-optical Bragg reflectors can be designed to obtain tuneable optical filters with a wide tuning range up to 100 nm at about 1570 nm by using patterned periodic coplanar electrodes. All optical integrated Bragg reflectors using POLICRYPS can be tuned by using MR:E7 photosensitive composites. In preliminary simulations we will also show how the variation of the surrounding dielectric properties in a nano-ring based geometry is an effective approach to allow a real time, continuous and reversible tuning of plasmonic resonances over 40 nm in the near infrared wavelength spectrum. A similar structure can be also used an optofluidic sensor based on the tuning of the device in relation to variations of volume and refractive index of an isotropic fluid positioned over the structure. The performance of the device with respect to geometrical parameters of the rings are also presented.