Half-space invisible states in dielectric particles.

The concept of invisible optical states in dielectric particles is developed. Two cases for excitation of invisible states are discussed. The first one is the excitation in the microparticles with fixed shapes (e.g. spheres) by variation of the properties of incident radiation. The second one is the search for a complex shape of a particle in which invisible states are excited for fixed properties of the incident radiation (e.g. a plane wave). Based on the proposed numerical assessment of the invisibility of the scattered field, a method for finding invisible particles by varying its shape has been developed. A method for calculating the scattered field is generalized in the framework of the theory of surface perturbation for the case of an arbitrary initial shape of the particle.

Roadmap on Label-Free Super-Resolution Imaging.

Label-free super-resolution (LFSR) imaging relies on light-scattering processes in nanoscale objects without a need for fluorescent (FL) staining required in super-resolved FL microscopy. The objectives of this Roadmap are to present a comprehensive vision of the developments, the state-of-the-art in this field, and to discuss the resolution boundaries and hurdles which need to be overcome to break the classical diffraction limit of the LFSR imaging. The scope of this Roadmap spans from the advanced interference detection techniques, where the diffraction-limited lateral resolution is combined with unsurpassed axial and temporal resolution, to techniques with true lateral super-resolution capability which are based on understanding resolution as an information science problem, on using novel structured illumination, near-field scanning, and nonlinear optics approaches, and on designing superlenses based on nanoplasmonics, metamaterials, transformation optics, and microsphere-assisted approaches. To this end, this Roadmap brings under the same umbrella researchers from the physics and biomedical optics communities in which such studies have often been developing separately. The ultimate intent of this paper is to create a vision for the current and future developments of LFSR imaging based on its physical mechanisms and to create a great opening for the series of articles in this field.

Transverse Kerker effect in all-dielectric spheroidal particles.

Kerker effect is one of the unique phenomena in modern electrodynamics. Due to overlapping of electric and magnetic dipole moments, all-dielectric particles can be invisible in forward or backward directions. In our paper we propose new conditions between resonantly excited electric dipole and magnetic quadrupole in ceramic high index spheroidal particles for demonstrating transverse Kerker effect. Moreover, we perform proof-of-concept microwave experiment and demonstrate dumbbell radiation pattern with suppressed scattering in both forward and backward directions and enhanced scattering in lateral directions. Our concept is promising for future planar lasers, nonreflected metasurface and laterally excited waveguides and nanoantennas.

Complex Inverse Design of Meta-optics by Segmented Hierarchical Evolutionary Algorithm.

With the recent burgeoning advances in nano-optics, ultracompact, miniaturized photonic devices with high-quality and spectacular functionalities are highly desired. Such devices' design paradigms often call for the solution of a complex inverse nonanalytical/semianalytical problem. However, currently reported strategies dealing with amplitude-controlled meta-optics devices achieved limited functionalities mainly due to restricted search space and demanding computational schemes. Here, we established a segmented hierarchical evolutionary algorithm, aiming to solve large-pixelated, complex inverse meta-optics design and fully demonstrate the targeted performance. This paradigm allows significantly extended search space at a rapid converging speed. As typical complex proof-of-concept examples, large-pixelated meta-holograms are chosen to demonstrate the validity of our design paradigm. An improved fitness function is proposed to reinforce the performance balance among image pixels, so that the image quality is improved and computing speed is further accelerated. Broadband and full-color meta-holograms with high image fidelities using binary amplitude control are demonstrated experimentally. Our work may find important applications in the advanced design of future nanoscale high-quality optical devices.

High order Fano resonances and giant magnetic fields in dielectric microspheres.

We show that weakly dissipating dielectric spheres made of materials such as glass, quartz, etc. can support high order Fano resonances associated with internal Mie modes. These resonances, happening for specific values of the size parameter, yield field-intensity enhancement factors on the order of 104-107, which can be directly obtained from analytical calculations. Associated to these "super-resonances", we analyze the emergence of magnetic nanojets with giant magnetic fields, which might be attractive for many photonic applications.

Planar Diffractive Lenses: Fundamentals, Functionalities, and Applications.

Traditional objective lenses in modern microscopy, based on the refraction of light, are restricted by the Rayleigh diffraction limit. The existing methods to overcome this limit can be categorized into near-field (e.g., scanning near-field optical microscopy, superlens, microsphere lens) and far-field (e.g., stimulated emission depletion microscopy, photoactivated localization microscopy, stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy) approaches. However, they either operate in the challenging near-field mode or there is the need to label samples in biology. Recently, through manipulation of the diffraction of light with binary masks or gradient metasurfaces, some miniaturized and planar lenses have been reported with intriguing functionalities such as ultrahigh numerical aperture, large depth of focus, and subdiffraction-limit focusing in far-field, which provides a viable solution for the label-free superresolution imaging. Here, the recent advances in planar diffractive lenses (PDLs) are reviewed from a united theoretical account on diffraction-based focusing optics, and the underlying physics of nanofocusing via constructive or destructive interference is revealed. Various approaches of realizing PDLs are introduced in terms of their unique performances and interpreted by using optical aberration theory. Furthermore, a detailed tutorial about applying these planar lenses in nanoimaging is provided, followed by an outlook regarding future development toward practical applications.

Three-dimensional supercritical resolved light-induced magnetic holography.

In the era of big data, there exists a growing gap between data generated and storage capacity using two-dimensional (2D) magnetic storage technologies (for example, hard disk drives), because they have reached their performance saturation. 3D volumetric all-optical magnetic holography is emerging rapidly as a promising road map to realizing high-density capacity for its fast magnetization control and subwavelength magnetization volume. However, most of the reported light-induced magnetization confronts the problems of impurely longitudinal magnetization, diffraction-limited spot, and uncontrollable magnetization reversal. To overcome these challenges, we propose a novel 3D light-induced magnetic holography based on the conceptual supercritical design with multibeam combination in the 4π microscopic system. We theoretically demonstrate a 3D deep super-resolved [Formula: see text] purely longitudinal magnetization spot by focusing six coherent circularly polarized beams with two opposing high numerical aperture objectives, which allows 3D magnetic holography with a volumetric storage density of up to 1872 terabit per cubic inches. The number and locations of the super-resolved magnetization spots are controllable, and thus, desired magnetization arrays in 3D volume can be produced with properly designed phase filters. Moreover, flexible magnetization reversals are also demonstrated in multifocal arrays by using different illuminations with opposite light helicity. In addition to data storage, this magnetic holography may find applications in information security, such as identity verification for a credit card with magnetic stripe.

Dielectric Meta-Holograms Enabled with Dual Magnetic Resonances in Visible Light.

Efficient transmission-type meta-holograms have been demonstrated using high-index dielectric nanostructures based on Huygens' principle. It is crucial that the geometry size of building blocks be judiciously optimized individually for spectral overlap of electric and magnetic dipoles. In contrast, reflection-type meta-holograms using the metal/insulator/metal scheme and geometric phase can be readily achieved with high efficiency and small thickness. Here, we demonstrate a general platform for design of dual magnetic resonance based meta-holograms based on the geometric phase using silicon nanostructures that are quarter wavelength thick for visible light. Significantly, the projected holographic image can be unambiguously observed without a receiving screen even under the illumination of natural light. Within the well-developed semiconductor industry, our ultrathin magnetic resonance-based meta-holograms may have promising applications in anticounterfeiting and information security.

Resonant Light Guiding Along a Chain of Silicon Nanoparticles.

Subwavelength confined waveguiding is experimentally demonstrated with high refractive index dielectric nanoparticles with photon energy propagation at distances beyond 500 µm. These particles have naturally occurring electric and magnetic dipole resonances. When they are placed in a 1D chain, the magnetic resonances of adjacent elements couple to each other, providing a means to transport energy at visible or NIR wavelengths in a confined mode. Chains of nanoparticles made of silicon were fabricated and guided waves were measured with near-field scanning optical microscopy. Propagation loss is quantified at 34 dB/mm for 720 nm and 5.5 dB/mm for 960 nm wavelengths with 150 and 220 nm diameter particles, respectively. Simulations confirm the unique properties of this waveguiding in comparison with photonic crystals. The resonant nature of the waveguide lays a foundation for integrated photonics beyond nanowire waveguides of silicon and silicon nitride. This technology is promising for more compact and deeper photonic integration such as right angle bends, more compact modulators, slow light and interfacing with single photon emitters for photonic integrated circuits, quantum communications, and biosensing.

Suppression of scattering for small dielectric particles: anapole mode and invisibility.

We reveal that an isotropic, homogeneous, subwavelength particle with high refractive index can produce ultra-small total scattering. This effect, which follows from the inhibition of the electric dipole radiation, can be identified as a Fano resonance in the scattering efficiency and is associated with the excitation of an anapole mode in the particle. This anapole mode is non-radiative and emerges from the destructive interference of electric and toroidal dipoles. The invisibility effect could be useful for the design of highly transparent optical materials.This article is part of the themed issue 'New horizons for nanophotonics'.

Optically resonant dielectric nanostructures.

Rapid progress in nanophotonics is driven by the ability of optically resonant nanostructures to enhance near-field effects controlling far-field scattering through intermodal interference. A majority of such effects are usually associated with plasmonic nanostructures. Recently, a new branch of nanophotonics has emerged that seeks to manipulate the strong, optically induced electric and magnetic Mie resonances in dielectric nanoparticles with high refractive index. In the design of optical nanoantennas and metasurfaces, dielectric nanoparticles offer the opportunity for reducing dissipative losses and achieving large resonant enhancement of both electric and magnetic fields. We review this rapidly developing field and demonstrate that the magnetic response of dielectric nanostructures can lead to novel physical effects and applications.

Generalized Brewster effect in dielectric metasurfaces.

Polarization is a key property defining the state of light. It was discovered by Brewster, while studying light reflected from materials at different angles. This led to the first polarizers, based on Brewster's effect. Now, one of the trends in photonics is the study of miniaturized devices exhibiting similar, or improved, functionalities compared with bulk optical elements. In this work, it is theoretically predicted that a properly designed all-dielectric metasurface exhibits a generalized Brewster's effect potentially for any angle, wavelength and polarization of choice. The effect is experimentally demonstrated for an array of silicon nanodisks at visible wavelengths. The underlying physics is related to the suppressed scattering at certain angles due to the interference between the electric and magnetic dipole resonances excited in the nanoparticles. These findings open doors for Brewster phenomenon to new applications in photonics, which are not bonded to a specific polarization or angle of incidence.

Topological effects in anisotropy-induced nano-fano resonance of a cylinder.

We demonstrate that optical Fano resonance can be induced by the anisotropy of a cylinder rather than frequency selection under the resonant condition. A tiny perturbation in anisotropy can result in a giant switch in the principal optic axis near plasmon resonance. Such anisotropy-induced Fano resonance shows fast reversion between forward and backward scattering at the lowest-energy interference. The near and far fields of the particle change dramatically around Fano resonance. The topology of optical singular points and the trajectory of energy flux distinctly reveal the interaction between the incident wave and the localized surface plasmons, which also determine the far-field scattering pattern. The anisotropy-induced Fano resonance and its high sensitivity open new perspectives on light-matter interactions and promise potential applications in biological sensors, optical switches, and optomechanics.

Nonradiating anapole modes in dielectric nanoparticles.

Nonradiating current configurations attract attention of physicists for many years as possible models of stable atoms. One intriguing example of such a nonradiating source is known as 'anapole'. An anapole mode can be viewed as a composition of electric and toroidal dipole moments, resulting in destructive interference of the radiation fields due to similarity of their far-field scattering patterns. Here we demonstrate experimentally that dielectric nanoparticles can exhibit a radiationless anapole mode in visible. We achieve the spectral overlap of the toroidal and electric dipole modes through a geometry tuning, and observe a highly pronounced dip in the far-field scattering accompanied by the specific near-field distribution associated with the anapole mode. The anapole physics provides a unique playground for the study of electromagnetic properties of nontrivial excitations of complex fields, reciprocity violation and Aharonov-Bohm like phenomena at optical frequencies.

Ultrahigh-capacity non-periodic photon sieves operating in visible light.

Miniaturization of optical structures makes it possible to control light at the nanoscale, but on the other hand it imposes a challenge of accurately handling numerous unit elements in a miniaturized device with aperiodic and random arrangements. Here, we report both the new analytical model and experimental demonstration of the photon sieves with ultrahigh-capacity of subwavelength holes (over 34 thousands) arranged in two different structural orders of randomness and aperiodicity. The random photon sieve produces a uniform optical hologram with high diffraction efficiency and free from twin images that are usually seen in conventional holography, while the aperiodic photon sieve manifests sub-diffraction-limit focusing in air. A hybrid approach is developed to make the design of random and aperiodic photon sieve viable for high-accuracy control of the amplitude, phase and polarization of visible light. The polarization independence of the photon sieve will also greatly benefit its applications in optical imaging and spectroscopy.

Magnetic and electric hotspots with silicon nanodimers.

The study of the resonant behavior of silicon nanostructures provides a new route for achieving efficient control of both electric and magnetic components of light. We demonstrate experimentally and numerically that enhancement of localized electric and magnetic fields can be achieved in a silicon nanodimer. For the first time, we experimentally observe hotspots of the magnetic field at visible wavelengths for light polarized across the nanodimer's primary axis, using near-field scanning optical microscopy.

Split-ball resonator as a three-dimensional analogue of planar split-rings.

Split-ring resonators are basic elements of metamaterials, which can induce a magnetic response in metallic nanosctructures. Tunability of such response up to the visible frequency range is still a challenge. Here we introduce the concept of the split-ball resonator and demonstrate the strong magnetic response in the visible for both gold and silver spherical plasmonic nanoparticles with nanometre scale cuts. We realize this concept experimentally by employing the laser-induced transfer method to produce near-perfect metallic spheres and helium ion beam milling to make cuts with the clean straight sidewalls and nanometre resolution. The magnetic resonance is observed at 600 nm in gold and at 565 nm in silver nanoparticles. This method can be applied to the structuring of arbitrary three-dimensional features on the surface of nanoscale resonators. It provides new ways for engineering hybrid resonant modes and ultra-high near-field enhancement.

Beyond the hybridization effects in plasmonic nanoclusters: diffraction-induced enhanced absorption and scattering.

It is demonstrated herein both theoretically and experimentally that Young's interference can be observed in plasmonic structures when two or three nanoparticles with separation on the order of the wavelength are illuminated simultaneously by a plane wave. This effect leads to the formation of intermediate-field hybridized modes with a character distinct of those mediated by near-field and/or far-field radiative effects. The physical mechanism for the enhancement of absorption and scattering of light due to plasmonic Young's interference is revealed, which we explain through a redistribution of the Poynting vector field and the formation of near-field subwavelength optical vortices.

Locomotion of microspheres for super-resolution imaging.

Super-resolution virtual imaging by micron sized transparent beads (microspheres) was recently demonstrated by Wang et al. Practical applications in microscopy require control over the positioning of the microspheres. Here we present a method of positioning and controllable movement of a microsphere by using a fine glass micropipette. This allows sub-diffraction imaging at arbitrary points in three dimensions, as well as the ability to track moving objects. The results are relevant to a broad scope of applications, including sample inspection, microfabrication, and bio-imaging.

Directional visible light scattering by silicon nanoparticles.

Directional light scattering by spherical silicon nanoparticles in the visible spectral range is experimentally demonstrated for the first time. These unique optical properties arise because of simultaneous excitation and mutual interference of magnetic and electric dipole resonances inside a single nanosphere. Such behaviour is similar to Kerker's-type scattering by hypothetic magneto-dielectric particles predicted theoretically three decades ago. Here we show that directivity of the far-field radiation pattern of single silicon spheres can be strongly dependent on the light wavelength and the nanoparticle size. For nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 100 to 200 nm, forward-to-backward scattering ratio above six can be experimentally obtained, making them similar to 'Huygens' sources. Unique optical properties of silicon nanoparticles make them promising for design of novel low-loss visible- and telecom-range metamaterials and nanoantenna devices.