Photonic MOS Based on "Optical Property Inversion"

Most dielectric materials have very weak electro-optic properties, whereas the optical properties of some plasmonic materials may be greatly tuned, especially around their plasma frequency, where dielectric constant is transiting between positive ("dielectric state") and negative ("metallic state") values. In this report, we will review some of our recent work on electro-optical modulation and introduce a new concept, photonic MOS based on "optical property inversion". This concept may provide inspiration for the development of nanophotonic devices. Some of the material was adapted from unfunded NSF proposals.