Physics

Prof. Alexandre Bouhelier
Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté

In this presentation, we introduce a paradigm shift in on-chip optical broadcasting of information to counter constraints of physical links. We developed a novel generation of electron-controlled optical metal antennas to deliver nanometer-size transducing feed and photon source converting optical energy into an electrical signal and vice versa. We experimentally demonstrate electron-fed light emission as well as short-range transmission and electrical detection of an optical signal by establishing a free-space communication between an optically excited nanoscale antenna and a distant transducing rectenna. The link constitutes a wireless optical interconnection between two remote functional nano-transceivers. We quantitatively explore the range of operation of the wireless link and discuss the opto-electrical properties of the optical rectenna interfacing the photon information to an electronic stimulus.