http://www.hindawi.com The latest articles from Hindawi Publishing Corporation © 2013 , Hindawi Publishing Corporation . All rights reserved. Thu, 16 May 2013 12:17:35 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aoe/2013/219271/ International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has recently standardized ultrahigh definition television (UHD-TV) with a resolution 16 times more than the current high definition TV. An increase in the efficiency of video source coding or in the capacity of transmission channels will be needed to deliver such programs by passive optical network (PON). In this paper, a high capacity integrated PON infrastructure is proposed to overlay ultrahigh definition television by a complete passive coexistence of 10G-PON (XG-PON) and single carrier directly modulated, duo-binary 40G-PON (XLG-PON) signal. The simulation results show error-free transmission performance and further distribution to 32 optical network units (ONUs) on broadcast basis with negligible power penalty over 20 km of bidirectional standard single mode fiber. Shahab Ahmad Niazi, Xiaoguang Zhang, Lixia Xi, Abid Munir, Muhammad Idrees, and Yousaf Khan Copyright © 2013 Shahab Ahmad Niazi et al. All rights reserved. Thu, 02 May 2013 10:05:06 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aoe/2013/321563/ In order to increase the species of organic semiconductors, new Zn-phthalocyanines-based organic materials were synthesized and characterized. The new compounds have been characterized by 1H and 13C using NMR, FTIR, and UV-Vis. The absorption, fluorescence, and electrochemical properties were also studied. Green photoluminescence was observed in dilute solutions. In solid thin films, π-π* interactions influenced the optical properties, and redshifted photoluminescence spectra were obtained; red emissions for ZnPAL (647 nm) and ZnPTr (655 nm) were found. By cyclic voltammetry, the electrochemical band gap was estimated to be 1.94 and 1.17 eV for ZnPAl and ZnPTr, respectively. Single-layer diode devices of an indium tin oxide/Zn-phthalocyanine/aluminum configuration were fabricated and showed relatively low turn-on voltages (3.3 V for ZnPAl and 3 V for ZnPTr). Amira Hajri, Sarra Touaiti, and Bassem Jamoussi Copyright © 2013 Amira Hajri et al. All rights reserved. Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:32:09 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aoe/2013/804646/ This investigation addresses the structural, optical, and electrical properties of germanium incorporated cadmium oxide (CdO : Ge) thin films. The focus was on the improvement in carrier mobility to achieve high transparency for near-infrared light and low resistivity at the same time. The properties were studied using X-ray diffraction, SEM, spectral photometry, and Hall measurements. All CdO : Ge films were polycrystalline with high texture orientation along [111] direction. It was observed that it is possible to control the carrier concentration () and mobility () with Ge-incorporation level. The mobility could be improved to a highest value of  cm2/V·s with Ge doping of 0.25 wt% while maintaining the electrical resistivity as low as  Ω·cm and good transparency % in the NIR spectral region. The results of the present work proved to select Ge as dopant to achieve high carrier mobility with low resistivity for application in transparent conducting oxide (TCO) field. Generally, the properties found make CdO : Ge films particularly interesting for the application in optoelectronic devices like thin-film solar cells. A. A. Dakhel Copyright © 2013 A. A. Dakhel. All rights reserved. Mon, 25 Mar 2013 08:56:58 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aoe/2013/840931/ The authors have made an attempt to investigate the effect of electron versus hole photocurrent on the optoelectric properties of structured Wurtzite-GaN (Wz-GaN) reach-through avalanche photodiodes (RAPDs). The photo responsivity and optical gain of the devices are obtained within the wavelength range of 300 to 450 nm using a novel modeling and simulation technique developed by the authors. Two optical illumination configurations of the device such as Top Mounted (TM) and Flip Chip (FC) are considered for the present study to investigate the optoelectric performance of the device separately due to electron dominated and hole dominated photocurrents, respectively, in the visible-blind ultraviolet (UV) spectrum. The results show that the peak unity gain responsivity and corresponding optical gain of the device are 555.78 mA W−1 and , respectively, due to hole dominated photocurrent (i.e., in FC structure); while those are 480.56 mA W−1 and , respectively, due to electron dominated photocurrent (i.e., in TM structure) at the wavelength of 365 nm and for applied reverse bias of 85 V. Thus, better optoelectric performance of Wz-GaN RAPDs can be achieved when the photocurrent is made hole dominated by allowing the UV light to be shined on the -layer instead of -layer of the device. Moumita Ghosh, Mangolika Mondal, and Aritra Acharyya Copyright © 2013 Moumita Ghosh et al. All rights reserved. Thu, 21 Mar 2013 13:46:02 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aoe/2013/856148/ Design and characterization of optical filters based on photonic crystal Thue-Morse structures are theoretically examined using transfer matrix method. It is shown that by introducing defect layer in the original structure of the proposed filter, main characteristics of it are changed. The main advantage of this defect in Thue-Morse structure is its capability for DWDM communication applications. In other words, achievement of DWDM filter through the Thue-Morse photonic crystal structure is much easier. The desired wavelengths can be achieved by changing the defect parameter. High efficiency of the proposed filter is one of its benefits. The transmission efficiency of this structure is about 96% and the quality factor is more than 77000. Hamed Alipour-Banaei, Farhad Mehdizadeh, and Mahdi Hassangholizadeh-Kashtiban Copyright © 2013 Hamed Alipour-Banaei et al. All rights reserved. Thu, 07 Mar 2013 13:57:49 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aoe/2013/831852/ A simple and accurate dynamic model for QD-SOAs is proposed. The proposed model is based on the state space theory, where by eliminating the distance dependence of the rate equation model of the QD-SOA; we derive a state space model for the device. A comparison is made between the rate equation model and the state space model under both steady state and transient regimes. Simulation results demonstrate that the derived state space model not only is much simpler and faster than the rate equation model, but also it is as accurate as the rate equation model. Hussein Taleb, Kambiz Abedi, and Saeed Golmohammadi Copyright © 2013 Hussein Taleb et al. All rights reserved. Wed, 19 Dec 2012 13:29:38 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aoe/2012/907560/ Fianite or yttrium stabilized zirconia (YSZ) solid solutions single crystals were known worldwide as jewelry material. The review is devoted to novel applications of the material in the field of microelectronics. A number of modern aspects of the application of fianite in micro-, opto- and SHF-electronics were analyzed in this paper. It was demonstrated that fianite is an extremely promising multipurpose material for new electronic technologies due to unique combination of physical and chemical properties. As a substrate and buffer layer for the epitaxy of Si, Ge, GeSi and AIIIBV compounds (GaAs, InGaAs, GaSb, InAs, GaN, AlN), fianite has a number of advantages over the other dielectric materials. The use of fianite (as well as ZrO2 and HfO2 oxides) instead of SiO2 as gate dielectrics in CMOC technology seems to be of peculiar interest. The unique properties of fianite as protecting, stabilizing and antireflecting coatings in electronics and optoelectronic devices have been outlined. A comparative study of the performance characteristics of fianite and conventional materials has been carried out. Alexander N. Buzynin, Yury N. Buzynin, and Vitaly A. Panov Copyright © 2012 Alexander N. Buzynin et al. All rights reserved. Mon, 10 Dec 2012 10:01:29 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aoe/2012/514270/ Ivan D. Rukhlenko, Pavel A. Belov, Natalia M. Litchinitser, and Alexandra Boltasseva Copyright © 2012 Ivan D. Rukhlenko et al. All rights reserved. Thu, 06 Dec 2012 09:25:17 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aoe/2012/452502/ We review the properties of hyperbolic metamaterials and show that they are promising candidates as substrates for nanoimaging, nanosensing, fluorescence engineering, and controlling thermal emission. Hyperbolic metamaterials can support unique bulk modes, tunable surface plasmon polaritons, and surface hyperbolic states (Dyakonov plasmons) that can be used for a variety of applications. We compare the effective medium predictions with practical realizations of hyperbolic metamaterials to show their potential for radiative decay engineering, bioimaging, subsurface sensing, metaplasmonics, and super-Planckian thermal emission. Yu Guo, Ward Newman, Cristian L. Cortes, and Zubin Jacob Copyright © 2012 Yu Guo et al. All rights reserved. Thu, 06 Dec 2012 07:51:50 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aoe/2012/895723/ This paper presents a novel fiber-Bragg-grating- (FBG-) based system which can monitor and analyze multiple parameters such as temperature, strain, displacement, and seepage pressure simultaneously for forecasting coalmine water inrush disaster. The sensors have minimum perturbation on the strain field. And the seepage pressure sensors adopt a drawbar structure and employ a corrugated diaphragm to transmit seepage pressure to the axial strain of FBG. The pressure sensitivity is 20.20 pm/KPa, which is 6E3 times higher than that of ordinary bare FBG. The FBG sensors are all preembedded on the roof of mining area in coalmine water inrush model test. Then FBG sensing network is set up applying wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) technology. The experiment is carried out by twelve steps, while the system acquires temperature, strain, displacement, and seepage pressure signals in real time. The results show that strain, displacement, and seepage pressure monitored by the system change significantly before water inrush occurs, and the strain changes firstly. Through signal fusion analyzed it can be concluded that the system provides a novel way to forecast water inrush disaster successfully. B. Liu, S. C. Li, J. Wang, Q. M. Sui, L. C. Nie, and Z. F. Wang Copyright © 2012 B. Liu et al. All rights reserved. Sun, 25 Nov 2012 09:35:27 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aoe/2012/161402/ Influence of the short-range lateral disorder in the meta-atoms positioning on the effective parameters of the metamaterials is investigated theoretically using the multipole approach. Random variation of the near field quasi-static interaction between metaatoms in form of double wires is shown to be the reason for the effective permittivity and permeability changes. The obtained analytical results are compared with the known experimental ones. A. Chipouline, S. Sugavanam, J. Petschulat, and T. Pertsch Copyright © 2012 A. Chipouline et al. All rights reserved. Sun, 18 Nov 2012 09:50:09 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aoe/2012/782864/ In this paper we review metamaterials fabricated from self-rolling strained metal-semiconductor layer systems. These systems relax their strain upon release from the substrate by rolling up into microtubes with a cross-section similar to a rolled-up carpet. We show that the walls of these microtubes represent three-dimensional optical metamaterials which so far could be used, for example, for the realization of broadband hyperlenses, fishnet metamaterials, or optically active three-dimensional metamaterials utilizing the unique possibility to stack optically active semiconductor heterostructures and metallic nanostructures. Furthermore, we discuss THz metamaterials based on arrays of rolled-up metal semiconductor microtubes and helices. Stephan Schwaiger, Andreas Rottler, and Stefan Mendach Copyright © 2012 Stephan Schwaiger et al. All rights reserved. Thu, 08 Nov 2012 09:48:31 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aoe/2012/347875/ Light propagation is analyzed in a negative refraction material (NRM) with gain achieved by pumping. An inherent spatial “walk-off” between the directions of phase propagation and energy transfer is known to exist in lossy NRMs. Here, the analysis is extended to the case where the NRM acts as an active material under various pumping conditions. It is shown that the condition for perfect imaging is only possible for specific wavelengths under special excitation conditions. Under excessive gain, the optical imaging can no longer be perfect. Haowen Liang, Yifeng Shao, Jianying Zhou, Boris A. Malomed, and Gershon Kurizki Copyright © 2012 Haowen Liang et al. All rights reserved. Mon, 05 Nov 2012 08:56:05 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aoe/2012/592754/ The performances of thin film solar cells are considerably limited by the low light absorption. Plasmonic nanostructures have been introduced in the thin film solar cells as a possible solution around this issue in recent years. Here, we propose a solar cell design, in which an ultrathin Si film covered by a periodic array of Ag strips is placed on a metallic nanograting substrate. The simulation results demonstrate that the designed structure gives rise to 170% light absorption enhancement over the full solar spectrum with respect to the bared Si thin film. The excited multiple resonant modes, including optical waveguide modes within the Si layer, localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of Ag stripes, and surface plasmon polaritons (SPP) arising from the bottom grating, and the coupling effect between LSPR and SPP modes through an optimization of the array periods are considered to contribute to the significant absorption enhancement. This plasmonic solar cell design paves a promising way to increase light absorption for thin film solar cell applications. Jinna He, Chunzhen Fan, Junqiao Wang, Yongguang Cheng, Pei Ding, and Erjun Liang Copyright © 2012 Jinna He et al. All rights reserved. Wed, 31 Oct 2012 15:56:43 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aoe/2012/439147/ The addition of a dielectric layer on a slab configuration is frequently utilized in various electromagnetic devices in order to give them certain desired operational characteristics. In this work, we consider a grounded dielectric film-slab, which is externally excited by a normally-incident Gaussian beam. On top of the film-slab, we use an additional suitably selected single isotropic superstrate layer in order to increase the field concentration inside the slab and hence achieve optimal power transfer from the external source to the internal region. We define a quantity of interest, called “enhancement factor,” expressing the increase of the field concentration in the film-slab when the superstrate is present compared to the case that it is absent. It is shown that large enhancement factor values may be achieved by choosing properly the permittivity, the permeability, and the thickness of the superstrate. In particular, it is demonstrated that the field in the film-slab is significantly enhanced when the slab is composed by an ϵ-near-zero (ENZ) or low-index metamaterial. Constantinos A. Valagiannopoulos and Nikolaos L. Tsitsas Copyright © 2012 Constantinos A. Valagiannopoulos and Nikolaos L. Tsitsas. All rights reserved. Wed, 24 Oct 2012 10:59:31 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aoe/2012/495981/ The electrical-thermal characteristics of gallium-nitride- (GaN-) based light-emitting diodes (LED), packaged by chips embedded in board (EIB) technology, were investigated using a multiphysics and multiscale finite element code, COMSOL. Three-dimensional (3D) finite element model for packaging structure has been developed and optimized with forward-voltage-based junction temperatures of a 9-chip EIB sample. The sensitivity analysis of the simulation model has been conducted to estimate the current and temperature distribution changes in EIB LED as the blue LED chip (substrate, indium tin oxide (ITO)), packaging structure (bonding wire and chip numbers), and system condition (injection current) changed. This method proved the reliability of simulated results in advance and useful material parameters. Furthermore, the method suggests that the parameter match on Shockley's equation parameters, , , and , is a potential method to reduce the current crowding effect for the EIB LED. Junction temperature decreases by approximately 3 K to 10 K can be achieved by substrate thinning, ITO, and wire bonding. The nonlinear-decreasing characteristics of total thermal resistance that decrease with an increase in chip numbers are likely to improve the thermal performance of EIB LED modules. Xing-ming Long, Rui-jin Liao, and Jing Zhou Copyright © 2012 Xing-ming Long et al. All rights reserved. Wed, 24 Oct 2012 08:12:47 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aoe/2012/736876/ A new method is proposed for realizing radar illusion of an electromagnetic target by using active devices. The devices are installed around the target but may closely cover the target or not, leading to closed or open configurations. The amplitudes and phases of the active devices are determined by using T-matrix method. The numerical computation is calculated using MATLAB, and the results show that this method is convenient, flexible, and efficient, which has important significances for implementation of novel electromagnetic devices. B. Z. Cao, L. Sun, and Z. L. Mei Copyright © 2012 B. Z. Cao et al. All rights reserved. Mon, 22 Oct 2012 11:32:38 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aoe/2012/968780/ It is shown that printed antennas loaded with metamaterial resonators can be designed to exhibit multiband functionality. Two different antenna types and metamaterial loading are considered: (i) printed dipoles or monopoles loaded with open complementary split ring resonators (OCSRRs) and (ii) meander line or folded dipole antennas loaded with split ring resonators (SRRs) or spiral resonators (SRs). In the first case, multiband operation is achieved by series connecting one or more OCSRRs within the dipole/monopole. Such resonators force opens at their positions, and by locating them at a quarter wavelength (at the required operating frequencies) from the feeding point, it is possible to achieve multiple radiation bands. In the second case, dual-band functionality is achieved through the perturbation of the antenna characteristics caused by the presence of the metamaterial resonators. This latter strategy is specially suited to achieve conjugate matching between the antenna and the chip in radiofrequency identification (RFID) tags at two of the regulated UHF-RFID bands. F. Paredes, G. Zamora, S. Zufanelli, F. J. Herraiz-Martínez, J. Bonache, and F. Martín Copyright © 2012 F. Paredes et al. All rights reserved. Mon, 22 Oct 2012 11:21:33 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aoe/2012/313984/ We show how one may obtain conical (Dirac) dispersions in photonic crystals, and in some cases, such conical dispersions can be used to create a metamaterial with an effective zero refractive index. We show specifically that in two-dimensional photonic crystals with symmetry, we can adjust the system parameters to obtain accidental triple degeneracy at Γ point, whose band dispersion comprises two linear bands that generate conical dispersion surfaces and an additional flat band crossing the Dirac-like point. If this triply degenerate state is formed by monopole and dipole excitations, the system can be mapped to an effective medium with permittivity and permeability equal to zero simultaneously, and this system can transport wave as if the refractive index is effectively zero. However, not all the triply degenerate states can be described by monopole and dipole excitations and in those cases, the conical dispersion may not be related to an effective zero refractive index. Using multiple scattering theory, we calculate the Berry phase of the eigenmodes in the Dirac-like cone to be equal to zero for modes in the Dirac-like cone at the zone center, in contrast with the Berry phase of for Dirac cones at the zone boundary. C. T. Chan, Zhi Hong Hang, and Xueqin Huang Copyright © 2012 C. T. Chan et al. All rights reserved. Thu, 04 Oct 2012 10:46:18 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aoe/2012/839747/ An efficient and compact coupler—a device that matches a microwaveguide and a nanowaveguide—is an essential component for practical applications of nanophotonic systems. The number of coupling approaches has been rapidly increasing in the past ten years with the help of plasmonic structures and metamaterials. In this paper we overview recent as well as common solutions for nanocoupling. More specifically we consider the physical principles of operation of the devices based on a tapered waveguide section, a direct coupler, a lens, and a scatterer and support them with a number of examples. A. Andryieuski and A. V. Lavrinenko Copyright © 2012 A. Andryieuski and A. V. Lavrinenko. All rights reserved. Sun, 23 Sep 2012 08:03:58 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aoe/2012/734306/ The counterpart of metamaterials in light optics for nonrelativistic matter waves governed by the Schrödinger equation can be found by transiently reversing the group velocity using a so called comoving potential. Possible applications to wave-packet dynamics, atom interferometry, and atom deceleration are described. T. Taillandier-Loize, J. Baudon, M. Hamamda, G. Dutier, V. Bocvarski, M. Boustimi, F. Perales, and M. Ducloy Copyright © 2012 T. Taillandier-Loize et al. All rights reserved. Thu, 20 Sep 2012 15:34:18 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aoe/2012/267564/ We demonstrate that homogeneous naturally-occurring materials can form hyperbolic media, and can be used for nonmagnetic negative refractive index systems. We present specific realizations of the proposed approach for the THz and far-IR frequencies. The proposed structures operate away from resonance, thereby promising the capacity for low-loss devices. Leonid V. Alekseyev, Viktor A. Podolskiy, and Evgenii E. Narimanov Copyright © 2012 Leonid V. Alekseyev et al. All rights reserved. Thu, 20 Sep 2012 11:36:54 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aoe/2012/368786/ Quantum-dots (QDs) provide an exciting option for the gain media incorporated in active coated nanoparticles (CNPs) because they possess large gain coefficients resulting from their extreme confinement effects. The optical properties of core/shell QDs can be tuned by changing the relative size of the core/shell, that is, by effectively changing its band gap structure. Similarly, the resonance of a CNP can be adjusted by changing the relative sizes of its layers. It is demonstrated here that by optimally locating the QDs inside a resonant CNP structure it is possible to greatly enhance the intrinsic amplifying behavior of the combined QD-CNP system. Sawyer D. Campbell and Richard W. Ziolkowski Copyright © 2012 Sawyer D. Campbell and Richard W. Ziolkowski. All rights reserved. Wed, 19 Sep 2012 12:25:12 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aoe/2012/154847/ The combinatorial frequency generation by the periodic stacks of binary layers of anisotropic nonlinear dielectrics is examined. The products of nonlinear scattering are characterised in terms of the three-wave mixing processes. It is shown that the intensity of the scattered waves of combinatorial frequencies is strongly influenced by the constitutive and geometrical parameters of the anisotropic layers, and the frequency ratio and angles of incidence of pump waves. The enhanced efficiency of the frequency conversion at Wolf-Bragg resonances has been demonstrated for the lossless and lossy-layered structures. O. V. Shramkova and A. G. Schuchinsky Copyright © 2012 O. V. Shramkova and A. G. Schuchinsky. All rights reserved. Mon, 10 Sep 2012 10:53:08 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aoe/2012/861569/ A new approach to metamaterials is presented that involves laser-based patterning of novel chiral polymer media, wherein chirality is realized at two distinct length scales, intrinsically at the molecular level and geometrically at a length scale on the order of the wavelength of the incident field. In this approach, femtosecond-pulsed laser-induced two-photon lithography (TPL) is used to pattern a photoresist-chiral polymer mixture into planar chiral shapes. Enhanced bulk chirality can be realized by tuning the wavelength-dependent chiral response at both the molecular and geometric level to ensure an overlap of their respective spectra. The approach is demonstrated via the fabrication of a metamaterial consisting of a two-dimensional array of chiral polymer-based L-structures. The fabrication process is described and modeling is performed to demonstrate the distinction between molecular and planar geometric-based chirality and the effects of the enhanced multiscale chirality on the optical response of such media. This new approach to metamaterials holds promise for the development of tunable, polymer-based optical metamaterials with low loss. E. P. Furlani, H. S. Jee, H. S. Oh, A. Baev, and P. N. Prasad Copyright © 2012 E. P. Furlani et al. All rights reserved. Tue, 04 Sep 2012 10:48:05 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aoe/2012/927931/ We present our research into the fabrication of fully three-dimensional metallic nanostructures using diffusion-assisted direct laser writing, a technique which employs quencher diffusion to fabricate structures with resolution beyond the diffraction limit. We have made dielectric 3D nanostructures by multiphoton polymerization using a metal-binding organic-inorganic hybrid material, and we covered them with silver using selective electroless plating. We have used this method to make spirals and woodpiles with 600 nm intralayer periodicity. The resulting photonic nanostructures have a smooth metallic surface and exhibit well-defined diffraction spectra, indicating good fabrication quality and internal periodicity. In addition, we have made dielectric woodpile structures decorated with gold nanoparticles. Our results show that diffusion-assisted direct laser writing and selective electroless plating can be combined to form a viable route for the fabrication of 3D dielectric and metallic photonic nanostructures. Gabija Bickauskaite, Maria Manousidaki, Konstantina Terzaki, Elmina Kambouraki, Ioanna Sakellari, Nikos Vasilantonakis, David Gray, Costas M. Soukoulis, Costas Fotakis, Maria Vamvakaki, Maria Kafesaki, Maria Farsari, Alexander Pikulin, and Nikita Bityurin Copyright © 2012 Gabija Bickauskaite et al. All rights reserved. Wed, 29 Aug 2012 18:22:20 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aoe/2012/598213/ We describe a procedure for designing metal-metal boundaries for the strong attenuation of surface plasmon-polaritons without the introduction of reflections or scattering effects. Solutions associated with different sets of matching materials are found. To illustrate the results and the consequences of adopting different solutions, we present calculations based on an integral equation formulation for the scattering problem and the use of a nonlocal impedance boundary condition. Sergio de la Cruz, Eugenio R. Méndez, and Alexei A. Maradudin Copyright © 2012 Sergio de la Cruz et al. All rights reserved. Sun, 26 Aug 2012 10:09:39 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aoe/2012/595646/ Near-field optical trapping of objects using plasmonic antenna structures has recently attracted great attention. However, metal nanostructures also provide a compact platform for general wavefront engineering of intermediate and far-field beams. Here, we analyze optical forces generated by plasmonic beam shaping antenna structures and show that they can be used for general optical manipulation such as guiding of a dielectric particle along a linear or curved trajectory. This removes the need for bulky diffractive optical components and facilitates the integration of optical force manipulation into a highly functional, compact system. Young Chul Jun and Igal Brener Copyright © 2012 Young Chul Jun and Igal Brener. All rights reserved. Wed, 01 Aug 2012 12:03:41 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aoe/2012/907183/ Most metamaterials exhibit pronounced anisotropic properties that are crucial for the understanding of their superior optical behavior, especially when they are integrated into the structure of a plasmonic waveguide. In this paper, we analytically solve the dispersion relation for a slot plasmonic waveguide filled with an anisotropic-stratified metamaterial and reveal that it supports two modes featuring relatively long propagation lengths in the limit of vanishing slot thickness. We classify these modes according to their physical origin and study the variation of their dispersion properties with material parameters. Ivan D. Rukhlenko, Malin Premaratne, and Govind P. Agrawal Copyright © 2012 Ivan D. Rukhlenko et al. All rights reserved. Wed, 30 May 2012 08:27:43 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aoe/2012/609691/ We studied the sensing properties of stereo-SRRs metamaterials composed from two twisted split-ring resonators (SRRs). Due to the strong hybridization effect in the system, the polarization state of the transmitted wave is greatly changed at resonances. Since the stereo-SRRs structure is strongly coupled to the surrounding medium, the polarization change of the transmitted waves is quite sensitive to the refractive index change of the environment medium. The polarization ratio PRtran = 𝑇𝑦/𝑇𝑥 is used as sensing parameter and its figure of merit can reach 22.3 at the hybridized magnetic plasmon resonance. The results showed that the stereo-SRRs metamaterial can be applied to optical sensors an or other related field. J. X. Cao, H. Liu, S. M. Wang, Y. J. Zheng, C. Zhu, Y. Wang, and S. N. Zhu Copyright © 2012 J. X. Cao et al. All rights reserved.