Controlling second-harmonic generation at the nanoscale with monolithic AlGaAs-on-AlOx antennas

• Published in: Nanotechnology Vol. 28; no. 11; p. 114005
• Main Authors: Carletti, L, Rocco, D, Locatelli, A, De Angelis, C, Gili, V F, Ravaro, M, Favero, I, Leo, G, Finazzi, M, Ghirardini, L, Celebrano, M, Marino, G, Zayats, A V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England IOP Publishing 17.03.2017
• Subjects: metamaterials; optical antennas; second harmonic generation
• ISSN: 0957-4484; 1361-6528
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/aa5645

We review recent achievements in the field of nanoscale nonlinear AlGaAs photonics based on all-dielectric optical antennas. After discussing the motivation and main technological challenges for the development of an AlGaAs monolithic platform for χ(2) nonlinear nanophotonics, we present numerical and experimental investigations of the second-order nonlinear response and physical reasons for high efficiency of second-order nonlinear interactions in the AlGaAs nano-antennas. In particular, we emphasize the role of the dipolar resonances at the fundamental frequency and the multipolar resonances at the second harmonic wavelength. We also discuss second-harmonic generation directionality and show possible strategies to engineer the radiation pattern of nonlinear antennas.