DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF V-SHAPED NANOANTENNA

Abstract

To convert the energy of free propagating radiation to localized energy and localized energy into free propagating radiation energy, we have always been reliant on radio wave and microwave antennas. But with the developments in physical optics, optical antennas are garnering attraction. Properties of metal nanostructures which behave as strongly coupled plasmas at optical frequencies forms the basis for the operation of optical antennas. Optical antennas can overcome the limitations of light-emitting devices, photovoltaics and spectroscopy by increasing the light-matter interaction. Televisions, cell-phones and other communication equipment which work on electromagnetic antennas, mostly use radio-wave or microwave ambit of the electromagnetic spectrum. Contrary to the electromagnetic fields, optical frequencies are controlled by re-directing the wave fronts of propagating radiation by means of lenses, mirrors, and diffractive elements. There are several current studies which have been undertaken to find ways of translating established radio wave and microwave antenna theories into the optical frequency regime and with few successes attained with the help pf nano-optics and plasmonics, optical antennas may soon be a thing of practical use. Once we are able to extend the concept of antennas into optical frequency regime, we can have major technological advancements ranging from enhanced absorption cross-sections and quantum yields in photovoltaics, releasing energy efficiently from nanoscale lightemitting devices, boosting the efficiency of photochemical or photophysical detectors, to improving spatial resolution in optical microscopy.