Transverse Photovoltage Induced by Circularly Polarized Light

We discovered that when circularly polarized light is obliquely incident on a two-dimensional metallic photonic crystal slab, electrical voltage is induced perpendicular to the incident plane. The sign of the signal is reversed by changing the sense of polarization or incident angle. The origin of this transverse photoinduced voltage is explained in terms of the force proportional to the light intensity induced by the asymmetry, which is brought about by the angular momentum of the incident light, along with the modification of local near-surface electromagnetic fields in the slab and field enhancement due to surface plasmon resonance.

Figure 1

(a) AFM image of our sample. (b) Definitions of axes. (c) Experimental configuration for TPIV. (d) Experimental configuration for LPIV. (e) Definition of left circularly polarized light in this Letter.

Figure 2

(a) Transmission spectra for 0 to 39° with 3° steps for $p$-polarized light. Closed circles: SPP mode excitation induced at the interface between the metal and substrate. Closed squares: SPP excitation induced at the interface between the metal and air. (b) Transmission spectra for $s$-polarized light.

Figure 3

(a) TPIV and (b) LPIV spectra and (c) transmission spectra for $s$- and $p$-polarized light for incident angle of 27°. (d)–(f) Corresponding spectra for incident angle of 33°.