PLASMONIC POLARIZER

摘要

A radiation-emitting device (e.g., a laser) includes an active region configured to generate a radiation emission linearly polarized along a first polarization direction and a device facet covered by an insulating layer and a metal layer on the insulating layer. The metal layer defines an aperture through which the radiation emission from the active region can be transmitted and coupled into surface plasmons on the outer side of the metal layer. The long axis of the aperture is non-orthogonal to the first polarization direction, and a sequential series of features are defined in or on the device facet or in the metal layer and spaced apart from the aperture, wherein the series of features are configured to manipulate the surface plasmons and to scatter surface plasmons into the far field with a second polarization direction distinct from the first polarization direction.