Optical negative index meta-materials at near-ir wavelength

The optical negative refractive index metamaterials (NIMs) are nanostructure-patterned artificial materials, which have both negative permittivity and permeability in the same frequency range, hence a negative refractive index. We have designed, fabricated and characterized various optical NIMs at near-IR (i.e. 1.55 m) range.  Moreover, we also demonstrated the first tunable NIM, ultra-fast modulation of NIMs and the first third harmonic generation (THG) based on NIMs at near-IR range.  Due to their unique properties, NIMs have a potential of applications, including e.g. sub-wavelength imaging, compact, efficient nano-photonic devices and ultra-high resolution nanolithography.