Micro- and nanooptics - an overview

• Published in: Laser & photonics reviews Vol. 2; no. 4; pp. 249 - 263
• Main Authors: Jahns, J., Cao, Q., Sinzinger, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin WILEY-VCH Verlag 01.08.2008; WILEY‐VCH Verlag; Wiley-VCH
• Subjects: Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Lasers; Mathematical models; Micrometers; Nanocomposites; Nanomaterials; Nanostructure; optical diffraction; optical diffraction; optical systems; photonic bandgap materials; plasmons on surfaces and interfaces; Optical materials; optical systems; Optics; Photonic bandgap materials; Physics; plasmons on surfaces and interfaces; Stands; Wavelengths; 42.70.Qs. 73.20.Mf; 42.79.-e; Manufacturing processes; Photonic band gap; Subwavelength; Plasmons; Optical systems; Optical materials; Optical elements; Nanostructures; Experimental study; optical diffraction; optical systems; photonic bandgap materials; plasmons on surfaces and interfaces 42.25.Fx
• ISSN: 1863-8880; 1863-8899
• DOI: 10.1002/lpor.200810009

Since the 1960s the minimum feature size of lithographic fabrication has shrunk from tens of micrometers to now a few nanometers, i.e. by one order of magnitude per decade. With the adaptation of lithographic techniques to the fabrication of optical elements, first micro‐ and more recently nanostructured optics was shown to be both feasible and useful. However, the incredibly shrinking feature size down to the scale of the optical wavelength and below does not only represent a quantitative measure, but it stands for qualitatively different optical phenomena that occur in the subwavelength regime. In that regard, micro‐ and nanooptics are two different worlds. Their common feature, however, is the succession of steps: computer‐based design, modeling and simulation, fabrication and technology, characterization and application. We review recent progress in micro‐ and nanooptics by describing the state‐of‐the art and by emphasizing specific areas of interest. Since the 1960s the minimum feature size of lithographic fabrication has shrunk from tens of micrometers to now a few nanometers, i.e. by one order of magnitude per decade. With the adaptation of lithographic techniques to the fabrication of optical elements, first micro‐ and more recently nanostructured optics was shown to be both feasible and useful. However, the incredibly shrinking feature size down to the scale of the optical wavelength and below does not only represent a quantitative measure, but it stands for qualitatively different optical phenomena that occur in the subwavelength regime. In that regard, micro‐ and nanooptics are two different worlds. Their common feature, however, is the succession of steps: computer‐based design, modeling and simulation, fabrication and technology, characterization and application. We review recent progress in micro‐ and nanooptics by describing the state‐of‐the art and by emphasizing specific areas of interest.