Optical Response of Plasmonic Nanohole Arrays: Comparison of Square and Hexagonal Lattices

Nanohole arrays in metal films allow extraordinary optical transmission (EOT); the phenomenon is highly advantageous for biosensing applications. In this article, we theoretically investigate the performance of refractive index sensors, utilizing square and hexagonal arrays of nanoholes, that can monitor the spectral position of EOT signals. We present near- and far-field characteristics of the aperture arrays and investigate the influence of geometrical device parameters in detail. We numerically compare the refractive index sensitivities of the two lattice geometries and show that the hexagonal array supports larger figure-of-merit values due to its sharper EOT response. Furthermore, the presence of a thin dielectric film that covers the gold surface and mimics a biomolecular layer causes larger spectral shifts within the EOT resonance for the hexagonal array. We also investigate the dependence of the transmission responses on hole radius and demonstrate that hexagonal lattice is highly promising for applications demanding strong light transmission.     

Broad Tunable Nanoantenna Based on Graphene Log-Periodic Toothed Structure

A log-periodic toothed nanoantenna based on graphene is proposed, and its multi-resonance properties with respect to the variations of the chemical potential are investigated. The field enhancement and radar cross-section of the antenna for different chemical potentials are calculated, and the effect of the chemical potential on the resonance frequency is analyzed. In addition, the dependence of the resonance frequency on the substrate is also discussed. It is shown that large modulation of resonance intensity in log-periodic toothed nanoantenna can be achieved via turning the chemical potential of graphene. The tunability of the resonant frequencies of the antenna can be used to broad tuning of spectral features. The property of tunable multi-resonant field enhancement has great prospect in the field of graphene-based broadband nanoantenna, which can be applied in non-linear spectroscopy, optical sensor, and near-field optical microscopy.     

Large-Area,Low-Cost Infrared Metamaterial Fabrication Via Pulsed Laser Deposition with Metallic Mesh as a Shadow Mask

Metamaterials are artificial periodic structures with negative permittivity and permeability. Several interesting properties can be obtained in metamaterials, such as negative index behavior, which can be used for building perfect lenses, cloaking, antennas, etc. As the metamaterial’s properties are determined by its structure, the key challenge is to reduce the fabrication cost of the periodic structure on the micrometer or nanometer scale for realistic applications. In this paper, we experimentally demonstrate a new one-step method for the fabrication of a large-area infrared metamaterial at extremely low cost. A metallic mesh is used as a shadow mask during the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) process to fabricate a FeNi/SiC/FeNi multilayer sandwich structure on Si substrate (cm² level). The sample shows a strong absorption peak in the infrared frequency range, and the absorption intensity changes with the sample’s geometry.     

Tunnel Light Through a Continuous Optically Thick Metal Film Utilizing Higher Order Magnetic Plasmon Resonance

In this letter, we investigate the extraordinary optical transmission behavior of a flat continuous metal film sandwiched by magnetic plasmonic structures. A new mechanism by utilizing higher order magnetic plasmon resonance is proposed to enhance the transmission. Numerical simulation results show that 80 % electromagnetic energy can be transmitted through the middle 50-nm-thick continuous gold film in near-infrared regime. The excitation of the second-order magnetic plasmons and the propagating surface plasmons, as well as the interaction between them accounts for such a high transmission. The interaction of magnetic plasmons and surface plasmons leads to new hybrid modes, and the coupled oscillator model is introduced to analyze this hybridization. This work extends the application range of higher order magnetic plasmons and may have potential in transparent electrode and electromagnetic energy transfer applications.     

Numerical Simulation of Broadband Scattering by Coated and Noncoated Metal Nanostructures Using Discrete Dipole Approximation Method

We suggest numerical method to study the optical response of metal nanostructures. The analysis of optical properties such as scattering and absorption by coated and noncoated nanogeometry has been done using discrete dipole approximation (DDA) method. The core-shell nanogeometry supports surface plasmon resonances, which are highly tunable from 400 to 1100 nm. The tunability of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) highly depends on the structural anisotropy and chosen core-shell material. Further, we have observed that aspect ratio is one of the key parameter to decide the nature and position of the plasmonic peaks and magnitude of optical cross section. We have also shown that coated nanospheroid is a more appropriate geometry as compared to coated nanosphere and noncoated nanospheroid in terms of wide tunability of surface plasmon resonance. The wide tunability in SPR is observed for the effective radii 90 nm core-shell (Au@SiO₂) nanospheroid with aspect ratio 0.1.     

Ultrabroadband Mid-infrared Light Absorption Based on a Multi-cavity Plasmonic Metamaterial Array

We present a broadband plasmonic metamaterial absorber in the infrared region based on localized surface plasmon polaritons (LSPPs). The unit cell of the proposed metamaterial absorber consists of a multi-cavity structure, in which absorption resonances can be tuned independently through the modification of the width and shift of metallic walls. In order to avoid the degeneration between two contiguous resonances, which dramatically reduces the bandwidth, we introduce a zigzag design rule to arrange the cavities within a compact unit. Thus, the possible number of resonances is greatly increased, enabling an ultrabroadband absorption. A broadband absorber is demonstrated with only a few-layer structure and it also has an incident-angle-insensitive feature. Our results have potential applications in photovoltaic devices, emitters, sensors, and camouflage systems.     

Effect of Water Content on the Glass Transition Temperature of Calcium Maltobionate and its Application to the Characterization of Non-Arrhenius Viscosity Behavior

To understand the fundamental physical properties of calcium maltobionate (MBCa), its water sorption isotherm, glass transition temperature (T _g), and viscosity (η) were investigated and compared with those of maltobionic acid (MBH) and maltose. Although amorphous maltose crystalized at water activity (a _w) higher than 0.43, MBCa and MBH maintained an amorphous state over the whole a _w range. In addition, MBCa had a higher T _g and greater resistance to water plasticizing than MBH and maltose. These properties of MBCa likely originate from the strong interaction between MBCa and water induced by electrostatic interactions. Moreover, the effects of temperature and water content on η of an aqueous MBCa solution were evaluated, and its behavior was described using a semi-empirical approach based on a combination of T _g extrapolated by the Gordon-Taylor equation and a non-Arrhenius formula known as the Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann equation. This result will be useful for understating the effect of MBCa addition on the solution’s properties.     

Phylogeographic-based conservation implications for the New Zealand long-tailed bat, (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chalinolobus tuberculatus</Emphasis>): identification of a single ESU and a candidate population for genetic rescue

The New Zealand long-tailed bat (Chalinolobus tuberculatus) is an endemic species threatened with extinction. Since the arrival of humans, massive deforestation has occurred and invasive mammalian predators were introduced. As a result, C. tuberculatus’ distribution shrank dramatically and became fragmented. To aid the management of the remaining populations, two Evolutionary Significant Units (ESUs) were designated: one on each of New Zealand’s main islands. We utilised mitochondrial sequence data (cytb, 703 bp) and 10 nuclear DNA microsatellite loci to reconstruct the demographic history of this species, to characterise the level of genetic diversity in remaining populations, and to assess the current connectivity between them. Our results indicate that the North Island, with the highest genetic diversity, served as a glacial refuge, with a loss of diversity following the path recolonization to the south of the South Island. However, our data are also consistent with continued, or at least very recent, genetic exchange between colonies across the species distribution. The only exception is the Hanging Rock colony on the east coast of the South Island, which appears to be isolated. Thus, there was no support for the previously designated ESUs. Signatures of past population declines were found in three colonies, the most extreme of which was found in Hanging Rock. Consequently, we recommend that it be genetically rescued via translocation from a donor population. In general, future management priorities should treat Chalinolobus tuberculatus as a single unit, focusing on maintaining connectivity between remaining populations, together with continued roost protection and pest control.     

Multi-generational evaluation of genetic diversity and parentage in captive southern pygmy perch (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Nannoperca australis</Emphasis>)

Maintaining genetic diversity within captive breeding populations is a key challenge for conservation managers. We applied a multi-generational genetic approach to the captive breeding program of an endangered Australian freshwater fish, the southern pygmy perch (Nannoperca australis). During previous work, fish from the lower Murray-Darling Basin were rescued before drought exacerbated by irrigation resulted in local extinction. This endemic lineage of the species was captive-bred in genetically designed groups, and equal numbers of F1 individuals were reintroduced to the wild with the return of favourable habitat. Here, we implemented a contingency plan by continuing the genetic-based captive breeding in the event that a self-sustaining wild population was not established. F1 individuals were available as putative breeders from the subset of groups that produced an excess of fish in the original restoration program. We used microsatellite-based parentage analyses of these F1 fish to form breeding groups that minimized inbreeding. We assessed their subsequent parental contribution to F2 individuals and the maintenance of genetic diversity. We found skewed parental contribution to F2 individuals, yet minimal loss of genetic diversity from their parents. However, the diversity was substantially less than that of the original rescued population. We attribute this to the unavoidable use of F1 individuals from a limited number of the original breeding groups. Alternative genetic sources for supplementation or reintroduction should be assessed to determine their suitability. The genetic fate of the captive-bred population highlights the strong need to integrate DNA-based tools for monitoring and adaptive management of captive breeding programs.     

Range-wide fragmentation in a threatened fish associated with post-European settlement modification in the Murray–Darling Basin,Australia

Distinguishing the relative influence of historic (i.e. natural) versus anthropogenic factors in metapopulation structure is an important but often overlooked step in management programs of threatened species. Biotas in freshwater wetlands and floodplains, such as those in the Murray–Darling Basin (MDB)—one of Australia’s most impacted ecosystems, are particularly susceptible to anthropogenic fragmentation. Here we present a comprehensive multilocus assessment of genetic variation in the threatened southern pygmy perch Nannoperca australis (578 individuals; 45 localities; microsatellite, allozyme and mitochondrial DNA datasets), an ecological specialist with low dispersal potential. We assess patterns of spatial structure and genetic diversity in populations spanning the highly fragmented MDB and test whether recent anthropogenic modification has disrupted range-wide connectivity. We detected strong and hierarchical population structure, very low genetic diversity and lack of contemporary gene flow across the MDB. In contrast, the apparent absence of pronounced or long-term phylogeographic structure suggests that observed population divergences generally do not reflect deeply historic natural fragmentation. Coalescent-based analyses supported this inference, revealing that divergence times between populations from the upper and lower MDB fall into the period of European settlement. It appears that the observed contemporary isolation of populations is partly explained by the severe modification of the MDB post-dating the onset of European settlement. Our integrated approach substantially improves the interpretation of how fragmentation impacts present-day biodiversity. It also provides novel contributions for risk-assessing management actions in the context of captive breeding and translocations of small freshwater fishes, a group of increasing global conservation concern.