Near-field localization of ultrashort optical pulses in transverse 1-D periodic nanostructures

We present a transverse 1-D periodic nanostructure which exhibits lateral i nternal field localization for normally incident ultrashort pulses, and whi ch may be applied to the enhancement of nonlinear optical phenomena. The pe ak intensity of an optical pulse propagating in the nanostructure is approx imately 12 times that of an identical incident pulse propagating in a bulk material of the same refractive index. For second harmonic generation, an o verall enhancement factor of approximately 10.8 is predicted. Modeling of p ulse propagation is performed using Fourier spectrum decomposition and Rigo rous Coupled-Wave Analysis (RCWA). (C) 2000 Optical Society of America.