Abstract

In this work, we combine the enhancement of the emitter efficiency due to the proximity of a resonant nanostructure, and the possibility to modulate it by means of a thin layer of a phase change material (PCM). PCMs have been used as active subwavelength elements that can switch between the phases that differ in electric and optical properties. The phase change results in a modulation of amplitude or phase of transmission or reflection over nanoscale propagation lengths, and it is compatible with fast optical systems [1,2]. Vanadium Dioxide (VO₂) is a promising candidate for nanoscale modulation since it shows dramatic contrast in its complex refractive index as it undergoes a structural phase transition from monoclinic (semiconductor) to rutile (metallic) phase at 68°C [3], induced thermally, electrically or optically.

© 2019 IEEE