Switchable unidirectional second-harmonic emission through GaAs nanoantennas

Abstract

Switching the scattering direction of high-index dielectric nanoantennas between forward and backward, via Mie resonances in the linear regime, has been widely studied, recently. However, switching the harmonic emission of nanoantennas without applying any physical change to the antennas, such as geometry, or environment, is a chal-lenging task that has not been demonstrated yet. Here, we investigate multipolar second-harmonic switch from GaAs nanoantennas. Based on the peculiar nonlinearities of zinc-blende semiconductors, we demonstrate both theoretically and experimentally unidirectional nonlinear emission routing and switching via pump polarization control. Our results offer exciting opportunities for nonlinear nanophotonics technologies, such as nanoscale light routing elements, nonlinear light sources, nonlinear imaging, multifunctional flat optical elements. Show more