Boosting Third Harmonic Generation Efficiency with ITO Nanolayers and Tamm Plasmon Polaritons

Recent research has demonstrated a significant enhancement in the efficiency of third harmonic generation (THG) using indium tin oxide (ITO) nanolayers when coupled with Tamm plasmon polaritons (TPPs). The study, conducted by Tornike Shubitidze and Luca Dal Negro, focuses on the interaction between a thin gold mirror and a silicon dioxide/silicon nitride distributed Bragg reflector, which incorporates a 30 nm thick ITO nanolayer. This configuration allows for the excitation of TPPs at the interface, leading to strong confinement and localization of the electromagnetic field.

The researchers found that the ITO nanolayer exhibits epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) behavior at near-infrared wavelengths. By adjusting the angle of incidence and resonance conditions, they achieved a tenfold increase in THG efficiency compared to a bare ITO nanolayer. This enhancement occurs when the TPP resonance aligns with the ENZ wavelength of the ITO, where the real part of the ITO permittivity vanishes.

The implications of this research are significant for various applications, including frequency conversion, optical signal processing, and the development of quantum photonic devices. The findings suggest that the TPP-ENZ platform could serve as a versatile and efficient method for enhancing nonlinear optical processes, potentially leading to advancements in photonic technologies.

For further details, the study can be accessed at arXiv:2408.12773.