xiii, 133 p. ; ill. (some col.) A print copy of this title is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / We analyze the effect of geometry and surface morphology on the optical properties of metal-dielectric systems. Using both analytical and numerical modeling, we study how surface curvature affects the propagation of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) along a metal-dielectric interface. We provide an intuitive explanation for how the curvature causes the phase front to distort, causing the SPPs to radiate their energy away from the metal-dielectric interface. We quantify the propagation efficiency as functions of the radius of curvature, and show that it depends nonmonotonically on the bend radius. We also show how the surface morphology influences the transmittance and the reflectance of light from disordered metal-dielectric nanocomposite films. The films consist of semicontinuous silver films of various surface coverage that are chemically deposited onto glass substrates. They exhibit a large and broadband reflection asymmetry in the visible spectral range. In order to investigate how the surface morphology affects the asymmetry, we anneal the samples at various temperatures to induce changes in the morphology, and observe changes in the reflection spectra. Our study indicates that the surface roughness and the metal surface coverage are the key geometric parameters affecting the reflection spectra, and reveals that the large asymmetry is due to the different surface roughness light encounters when incident from different side of the film. Additionally, we analyze how thin metal and dielectric layers affect the optical properties of metal-dielectric systems. Using the concept of dispersion engineering, we show that a metal-dielectric-metal microsphere--a metal sphere coated with a thin dielectric shell, followed by a metal shell--support a band of surface plasmon resonances (SPRs) with nearly identical frequencies. A large number of modes belonging to this band can be excited simultaneously by a plane wave, and hence enhancing the absorption cross-section. We also find that the enhanced absorption is accompanied by a plasmon assisted transparency due to an avoided crossing of dominant SPR bands. We demonstrate numerically that both the enhanced absorption and the plasmon assisted transparency are tunable over the entire visible range. We also present an experimental study of light scattering from silica spheres coated with thin semicontinuous silver shells, and attempt to describe their optical response using a modified scaling theory. This dissertation includes previously published co-authored materials. / Adviser: Miriam Deutsch

xiii, 129 p. : ill. (some col.) A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) are collective electron excitations with attendant electromagnetic fields which propagate on a metal-dielectric interface. They behave, in many ways, as model two-dimensional electromagnetic waves. However, because the evanescent field of the SPPs extends a short distance outside the interface, a near-field probe can modify the wave propagation. We use this behavior to study both SPP scattering within the plane of the interface and also the transition to free-space propagation out of the plane. We have, in particular, studied the multiple scattering of SPPs excited on rough silver films. Our laboratory possesses apertureless near-field scanning optical microscopes (A-NSOMs), the probes of which can act as an in-plane scatterer of SPPs. Subsequent momentum-conserving decays of the SPPs generate an expanding hollow cone of light to which information about the direction and phase of the SPPs on the surface is transferred. A focus of our studies has been SPP multiple scattering when one of the scatterers (the tip) can move. This problem is very closely related to a similar problem in mesoscopic electronic transport, involving "universal conductance fluctuations". It is also related to various radar-detection, microwave communications and medical imaging problems. In parallel with actual experimental measurements, we have also conducted extensive Monte Carlo simulations of the scattering. Multiple scattering leads to the appearance and detection of "speckle" in the far field. A speckle field, however, is more properly considered in terms of its embedded optical vortices and so we have used holographic techniques to study these. We have demonstrated that vortices can be manipulated, created and destroyed by movement of the STM probe tip. Optical vortices are an example of the effect of "geometric" or "topological" phase in physics and as such link the trajectory of a parameter in one space to the phase observed in another. In our case, the trajectory of the A-NSOM tip parallel to the sample surface plane generates topological phase in the far field, manifestations of which are vortices. / Committee in charge: Stephen Kevan, Chairperson, Physics; Stephen Gregory, Advisor, Physics; Michael Raymer, Member, Physics; David Strom, Member, Physics; Mark Lonergan, Outside Member, Chemistry

Exciton-polaritons in semiconductor microcavities have been studied intensely, both with respect to their intriguing fundamental physical properties and with respect to their potential in novel device designs. The latter requires ways to control polaritonic systems, and all-optical control mechanisms are considered to be especially useful. In this talk, we discuss and review our efforts to control the polariton density, utilizing optical four-wave mixing instabilites, and the spin or polarization textures resulting from the optical spin Hall effect. Both effects are readily observable in the cavity's far-field emission, and hence potentially useful for optoelectronic and spinoptronic device applications.

Since Ebbesen's seminal work in 1998 observing extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) through nanohole arrays, much research has focused on the role of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) in EOT. While the energy and momentum conditions have become clear, no consensus has been reached on the role of incident light polarization. This study presents a simple model that captures Bloch-SPP excitation, including the role of polarization, in general periodic plasmonic structures. Our model predicts that under certain conditions polarization conversion should occur in EOT light transmitted through the nanohole array. We experimentally measure polarization conversion in EOT and compare the experimentally obtained results to the predictions of our model. Using numerical simulations, we tie the far field experimental results to the near field underlying physics described by our model. In using polarization conversion to provide evidence supporting our model, we also establish a novel approach to achieving polarization conversion based on SPPs instead of hole shape or other techniques in literature, and present reasons why this approach to achieving polarization conversion may be better suited for applications in biomedical sensing and optical elements. / Master of Science

Dans la gamme de fréquence térahertz (THz), les sources et les détecteurs couramment utilisés en optique et en électronique présentent une chute de performances. Mon travail de thèse s’inscrit dans le cadre de la recherche de composants THz peu onéreux, compacts, accordables en fréquence et facile à intégrer. Le premier volet de mon travail de thèse concerne la détection THz et met à profit le couplage entre une onde incidente THz et des plasmons d’un gaz bidimensionnel d’électrons (2DEG) via des réseaux métalliques déposés au-dessus d’hétérostructures. Quatre puits quantiques à base de semi-conducteurs III/V(AlGaN/GaN, AlGaAs/GaAs, InAlN/GaN) et IV/IV (SiGe/Si/SiGe) ont été étudiés. Parmi les hétérostructures envisagées, celles réalisées à partir de matériaux III-N présentent les plus fortes résonances. Des mesures de spectre de transmission ont été effectuées avec un spectromètre à transformée de Fourier (FTIR) à température ambiante et cryogénique. Les modélisations numériques sont en bon accord avec les résultats expérimentaux. Une étude sur l’influence de la distribution homogène ou inhomogène du gaz d’électrons 2D est présentée. Le deuxième volet de la thèse concerne l’optimisation de la transmission THz. Les performances (dipsersions et les pertes) des guides d'onde planaires sont mal connues au THz. Nous avons choisi d’étudier des guides d’onde couramment utilisés en hyperfréquence. Dans un premier temps, la dispersion et les pertes (rayonnement, conduction et diélectrique) de lignes coplanaires (CPW) sur substrat polymère (BCB = benzocyclobutène) et substrat semiconducteur (InP) obtenues grâce à des modélisations numériques (Ansoft HFSS) entre 20 GHz et 1 THz sont présentées. Puis d’autres types de guides ont été envisagés tels que les lignes micro-ruban, à fente et triplaques sur substrat BCB avec HFSS et CST MWS. Leurs performances ont été comparées afin de dégager la structure la plus performante au THz. Des mesures entre 340 et 500 GHz ont pu aussi être réalisées pour les guides CPW. La comparaison avec les données numériques a montré un bon accord. / In the THz frequency gap between electronics and optics, the development of compact, tunable, less costly and room temperature operating sources, detectors, amplifiers and passive devices is growing. Electronic devices based on two dimensional (2D) plasmons in heterostructures open up the possibility of tunable emission and detection of THz radiation. For short distance THz transmission, the increased radiation loss as well as other types of loss (dielectric and ohmic loss) may handicap the applications of conventional planar waveguides well studied in the microwave band. Reevaluation of their propagation properties and comprehension of the physical nature of each kind of loss are necessary.This work is divided into two main sections. The first part deals with the optimization of THz resonant detection by quasi 2D plasmons-polaritons (PP) in the quantum wells (QW) among four heterostructures: III-V (AlGaN/GaN, InAlN/GaN, AlGaAs/GaAs) and IV-IV (SiGe/Si/SiGe). With the aid of metallic grating coupler, both ANSOFT HFSS and an indigenously developed program are used to investigate quantitatively the influences of structural parameters (grating period, metal strip width and thickness of barrier layer) and natural properties of 2D plasmons (electron concentration and mobility) on the PP resonances (frequency and amplitude) up to 5 THz. Transmission spectra of sample AlGaN/GaN have been measured by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) in 0.6-1.8 THz for various metal widths and at different temperatures to compare with the simulated results. At last, two types of modulated 2D electron gas in AlGaAs/GaAs are analyzed. One is the natural electron variation below and between metal fingers due to the difference between the barrier height at the interface metal/semiconductor and Fermi level pinning at the interface air/semiconductor. The other type is the forced modulated 2DEG by biasing voltage on metal fingers. These two parametric studies allow us to analyze and tune the frequency and amplitude of the THz detection. The second part separately studies the dispersions and attenuations of four waveguides (CPW, Microstrip, Stripline and Slotline) with the variation of geometric dimensions and properties of dielectric and metal by ANSOFT HFSS and CST MWS. Their performances are compared until 1 THz based on the same characteristic impedance. The advantages and the limitations of each waveguide are outlined and an optimal THz transmission line is proposed. Furthermore, preliminary measured attenuation of CPW in the frequency range 340-500 GHz are demonstrated and compared with numerical results. The design of transitions for adapting experimental probes by HFSS and the de-embedding method for extracting scattering and attenuation parameters of CPW by ADS are also presented..

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T15:15:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 CarlosAAA.pdf: 386122 bytes, checksum: 5912e9682005147cb0db6bc16a139bab (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-06-15 / In this work we present a theoretical study about the properties of magnetic polaritons in superlattices arranged in a periodic and quasiperiodic fash?ons. In the periodic superlattice, in order to describe the behavior of the bulk and surface modes an effective medium approach, was used that simplify enormously the algebra involved. The quasi-periodic superlattice was described by a suitable theoretical model based on a transfer-matrix treatment, to derive the polariton's dispersion relation, using Maxwell's equations (including effect of retardation). Here, we find a fractal spectra characterized by a power law for the distribution of the energy bandwidths. The localization and scaling behavior of the quasiperiodic structure were studied for a geometry where the wave vector and the external applied magnetic field are in the same plane (Voigt geometry). Numerical results are presented for the ferromagnet Fe and for the metamagnets FeBr2 and FeCl2 / Neste trabalho apresentamos um estudo te?rico sobre as propriedades dos polaritons magn?ticos em super-redes organizadas em padr?es peri?dico e quasiperi?dico. Na super-rede peri?dica, objetivando descrever o comportamento destes modos, tanto no volume quanto na superf?cie, foi utilizada a teoria do meio efetivo, que facilita enormemente a ?lgebra envolvida. Para a superrede quasi-peri?dica usamos um conveniente modelo te?rico baseado no trata mento da matriz-tranfer?ncia, para derivar a rela??o de dispers?o, utilizando as equa??es de Maxwell (incluindo efeitos de retardamento). Aqui, encontramos um espectro fractal caracterizado por uma lei de pot?ncia para a distribui??o de bandas de energia. A localiza??o e o comportamento de escala da estrutura quasi-peri?dica s?o estudadas numa geometria onde o vetor de onda e o campo aplicado est?o no mesmo plano (geometria de Voigt). Resultados num?ricos s?o apresentados para o ferromagneto Fe e para os metamagnetos FeBr2 e FeCl2

Les tenants et aboutissants du modèle phénoménologique de percolation (multi-mode par liaison) développé sur site pour la compréhension de base des spectres de vibration Raman et infrarouges des alliages semi-conducteurs de structure zincblende (II-VI et III-V) et diamant (IV-IV) sont explorés plus avant dans des registres novateurs avec les systèmes Ge1-xSix (diamant), Zn1-xBexSe (zincblende) et ZnSe1-xSx (zincblende). La version du modèle de percolation élaborée pour l’alliage GeSi de structure diamant (3 liaisons, 6 modes/phonons), plus élaborée que la version standard originellement développée pour les alliages zincblende (2 liaisons, 3 phonons), est utilisée comme version modèle pour formaliser à travers l’introduction d’un paramètre d’ordre k ad hoc, une aptitude intrinsèque des spectres de vibration, révélée par le modèle de percolation, à ‘mesurer’ la nature du désordre d’alliage, en termes de substitution aléatoire, ségrégation locale ou dispersion locale. L’alliage de percolation Zn0.67Be0.33Se est utilisé comme système modèle pour étudier, à l’aide d’un montage inhabituel de diffusion Raman en avant, la dispersion des phonons transverses optique au tout proche voisinage du centre tau de la zone de Brillouin. A cette limite, ces modes acquièrent un champ électrique semblable à celui d’une onde électromagnétique pure, i.e. un photon, et se voient désignés sous la terminologie de phonon-polaritons. Une spécificité inexplorée des phonon-polariton d’alliage, à savoir leur renforcement à l’approche de tau, est étudiée plus avant avec les alliages Zn0.47Be0.53Se et ZnSe0.68S0.32, et effectivement observée avec le second alliage. Une étude infrarouge a récemment révélé dans la littérature un comportement vibrationnel multi-mode déconcertant pour la liaison courte (Zn-S) de l’alliage ZnSeS. Nous montrons que ce comportement peut être expliqué dans le cadre d’une version généralisée du modèle de percolation, plus élaborée que la version standard, qui prend en compte l’effet de la dispersion phonon en plus de l’effet de la contrainte locale. Par ailleurs l’étude fine du comportement phonon-polariton de la liaison longue (Zn-Se) de l’alliage représentatif ZnSe0.68S0.32 par diffusion Raman en avant révèle un comportement bimodal insoupçonné, qui fait écho à celui de la liaison courte (Zn-S). Cela établit expérimentalement que le schéma de percolation (multi-phonon par liaison) est générique et s’applique à toutes les liaisons d’un alliage donné, en principe. Enfin, nous explorons le comportement du doublet Zn-S de l’alliage ZnSeS à l’approche de la transition de phase zincblende->rocksalt (~14 GPa) par diffusion Raman en avant sous pression, i.e. dans le régime phonon-polariton. Le mode Zn-S basse fréquence s’affaiblit et converge vers le mode haute fréquence sous pression, comme observé plus tôt en rétrodiffusion pour le doublet Be-Se de l’alliage ZnBeSe. Il semble s’agir d’un comportement intrinsèque du doublet de percolation pour la transition de phase considérée, celui-ci reflèterait une sensibilité aux instabilités locales des liaisons hôtes (Zn-Se) à l’approche de leur transition de phase naturelle, caractéristiques composé pur (ZnSe). Ces comportements sont discutés sur la base d’une modélisation des spectres Raman enregistrés pour des processus de diffusion en arrière (géométrie usuelle) et en avant (en fonction de l’angle de diffusion) dans le cadre du formalisme de la réponse diélectrique linéaire. L’attribution des modes Raman est réalisée via des calculs ab initio (code SIESTA) menés sur site avec des motifs d’impureté prototypes. Les prédictions du modèle de percolation concernant la dépendance du spectre Raman de GeSi vs. k sont confrontées à un calcul ab initio direct des spectres Raman (code AIMPRO), mené en collaboration à partir de supercellules couvrant une série représentative de valeurs de k / The ins and outs of the phenomenological percolation model (multi-mode per bond) developed by the team for the basic understanding of the Raman and infrared spectra of semiconductor alloys with zincblende (II-VI & III-V) and diamond (IV-IV) structure are further explored in novel areas with the Ge1-xSix (diamant), Zn1-xBexSe (zincblende) and ZnSe1-xSx (zincblende) alloys. The version of the percolation worked out for the GeSi diamond alloy (3 bonds, 6 modes/phonons), more refined than the current one for zincblende alloys (2 bonds, 3 phonons), is used as a model version to formalize, via the introduction of a relevant order parameter k, an intrinsic ability behind the vibration spectra, to ‘measure’ the nature of the alloy disorder, as to whether this reflects a random substitution, or a trend towards local clustering or local anticlustering. The percolation-type Zn0.67Be0.33Se alloy is used as a model system to study, by using an unconventional Raman setup corresponding to forward scattering, the dispersion of the transverse optic phonons on approaching of tau, the centre of the Brillouin zone. At this limit such modes become equipped with a macroscopic electric field similar in every point to that carried by a pure electromagnetic wave, namely a photon, being then identified as phonon-polaritons. A specificity of the alloy-related phonon-polaritons, namely their reinforcement approaching of tau ,unexplored so far, is further investigated experimentally with the Zn0.47Be0.53Se et ZnSe0.68S0.32 alloys, selected on purpose, and was indeed confirmed in the latter alloy. A recent infrared study of ZnSeS in the literature has revealed a disconcerting multi-phonon pattern for its shorter bond species (Zn-S). We show that such pattern can be explained within a generalized version of the percolation scheme, a more sophisticated one than the standard version, taking into account the effect of the phonon dispersion in addition to the effect of the local strain. Besides, a refined study of the phonon-polariton regime related to the long Zn-Se bond reveals an unsuspected bimodal pattern, which echoes that earlier evidenced for the short (Zn-S) species. This establishes on an experimental basis that the percolation scheme (multi-phonon per bond) is generic and applies as well to any bond species in an alloy, in principle. Last, we explore the behavior of the Zn-S doublet of ZnSeS at the approach of the zincblende->rocksalt (~14 GPa) transition, by near-forward Raman scattering under pressure, i.e. in the phonon-polariton regime. The low-frequency Zn-S mode appears to weakens and converges onto the high-frequency Zn-S mode under pressure, as earlier observed for the Be-Se doublet of ZnBeSe in backscattering. Such behavior seems to be intrinsic to the percolation-type doublet for the considered structural phase transition. This would reflect a sensitivity to the local instabilities of the host bonds (Zn-Se) at the approach of their natural structure phase transitions characteristic of the related pure compound (ZnSe). The above mentioned behaviors are discussed on the basis of a detailed contour modeling of the Raman spectra taken in backscattering (usual geometry) and forward scattering (depending on the scattering angle then) within the scope of the linear dielectric response. The assignment of the Raman modes is achieved via ab initio phonon calculations done within the SIESTA code using prototype impurity motifs. The predictions of the percolation scheme concerning the k-dependence of the GeSi Raman spectra are confronted with direct ab initio calculations of the GeSi Raman spectra done in collaboration (with V.J.B. Torres) using the AIMPRO code on supercells covering a selection of representative k values

Nous investiguons dans ce travail la création d'échantillons permettant l'étude du comportement des polaritons excitoniques dans les matériaux semi-conducteurs organiques. Le couplage fort entre les états excités d'électrons et des photons impose la création de nouveaux états propres dans le milieu. Ces nouveaux états, les polaritons, ont un comportement bosonique et sont donc capables de se condenser dans un état fortement dégénéré. Une occupation massive de l'état fondamental permet l'étude de comportements explicables uniquement par la mécanique quantique. La démonstration, au niveau macroscopique, d'effets quantiques promet d'éclairer notre compréhension de la matière condensée. De plus, la forte localisation des excitons dans les milieux organiques permet la condensation des polaritons excitoniques organiques à des températures beaucoup plus hautes que dans les semi-conducteurs inorganiques. À terme, les échantillons proposés dans ce travail pourraient donc servir à observer une phase cohérente macroscopique à des températures facilement atteignables en laboratoire. Les cavités proposées sont des résonateurs Fabry-Perot ultraminces dans lesquels est inséré un cristal unique d'anthracène. Des miroirs diélectriques sont fabriqués par une compagnie externe. Une couche d'or de 60 nanomètres est ensuite déposée sur leur surface. Les miroirs sont ensuite mis en contact, or contre or, et compressés par 2,6 tonnes de pression. Cette pression soude la cavité et laisse des espaces vides entre les lignes d'or. Une molécule organique, l'anthracène, est ensuite insérée par capillarité dans la cavité et y est cristallisée par la suite. Dans leur état actuel, les cavités présentent des défauts majeurs quant à la planarité des miroirs et à l'uniformité des cristaux. Un protocole détaillé est présenté et commenté dans ce travail. Nous y proposons aussi quelques pistes pour régler les problèmes courants de l'appareil. / In this work we investigate the creation of samples for the study of the behavior of excitonic polaritons in organic semiconductor materials. The strong coupling between the excited states of electrons and photons implies the creation new eigenstates in the medium. These new states, called polaritons, are composite bosons and are therefore capable of condensing in a strongly degenerated state. A massive occupation of the ground state allows the study of behaviors that are only explainable by quantum mechanics. A macroscopic demonstration of quantum effects offers a rare opportunity for scientific research and discoveries. The strong localization of excitons in organic materials allows condensation of exciton polaritons at temperatures much higher than in inorganic semiconductors. Therefore the samples proposed in this work could ultimately be used to observe a macroscopic coherent phase at temperatures easily attainable in a laboratory. The cavities proposed in this work are Fabry-Perot resonators in which anthracene is inserted and crystalized. The mirrors used in the resonator are dielectric reflectors made by a external company according to our specifications. A gold layer of 60 nm is deposited on their surface. The mirrors are then brought into contact, gold against gold, and compressed by 2.6 tons of pressure. This pressure seals the cavity and leaves voids between the gold lines. An organic molecule, anthracene, is then inserted in by capillary inside the cavity voids and subsequently crystallized by controlled cooling. In their current state cavities have defects regarding the planarity of the mirrors and the uniformity of the crystals. A detailed protocol is presented and discussed in this work.

En régime de couplage fort lumière-matière, les microcavités de semiconducteurs contenant des puits quantiques abritent des quasi-particules appelées exciton-polaritons de microcavité. Leur caractère hybride mi-électronique, mi-photonique, leur confère des propriétés optiques non-linéaires remarquables. Nous nous intéressons dans cette thèse à des microcavités structurées qui permettent la coexistence de branches polaritoniques de symétrie et d'énergie différenciées. Une microcavité gravée en rubans de quelques micromètres de large est d'abord étudiée. Le confinement latéral lève la dégénérescence entre les modes polarisés parallèlement et orthogonalement à la direction du ruban. Nous montrons que ce dédoublement résulte de contraintes structurales intrinsèques, de sorte que son amplitude peut être décidée dès la conception du dispositif. Nous nous intéressons ensuite à une microcavité double. En régime de diffusion Rayleigh élastique, le dédoublement TE-TM conduit à une séparation spatiale et angulaire des polaritons de pseudo-spins différents. Nous montrons que ce phénomène, appelé "effet Hall optique de spin" peut être contrôlé par un faisceau de pompe intense. Dans le régime d'oscillation paramétrique optique, la lumière s'auto-organise pour former un motif dans le champ lointain. Les règles de sélection concernant l'orientation et la polarisation de ces motifs sont explorées dans le régime d'amplification paramétrique optique. Ces études ouvrent la voie de la conception de "dispositifs de microphares" (capables d'orienter continûment la lumière par un simple contrôle en polarisation) et d'interrupteurs tout-optique ultra-rapides. / Semiconductor microcavities with embedded quantum wells in the strong light-matter coupling regime host quasi-particles called microcavity exciton-polaritons. Their hybrid nature, half-electronic, half-photonic, brings about remarkable nonlinear optical properties. In this work, we focus on microcavities that are structured to enable the coexistence of polaritonic branches with various symmetries and energies. First, a microcavity etched to form micrometers-wide wires is studied. The lateral confinement lifts the degeneracy between the modes which are polarized parallel and orthogonal to the wire direction. We show that this splitting results from built-in constraints which make a precise engineering of the splitting magnitude possible. We then focus on a double microcavity. In the elastic Rayleigh scattering regime, the TE-TM splitting induces a spatial and angular separation of polaritons with different pseudospins. We show that this phenomenon, called "Optical Spin Hall Effect", can be controlled by a strong optical pump beam. In the regime of Optical Parametric Oscillation, the light self-organizes to form patterns in the far field. The selection rules for the orientation and polarization of these patterns are explored in the regime of Optical Parametric Amplification. These studies pave the way for the realization of microscopic "lighthouse" devices (able to continuously orientate the light by a simple polarization control) and ultrafast all-optical switches.

Wavelength-tunable optical response from solid-state optoelectronic devices is a desired feature for a variety of applications such as spectroscopy, laser emission tuning, and telecommunications. Nonlinear optical response, on the other hand, has an important role in modern photonic functionalities, including efficient frequency conversions, all-optical signal processing, and ultrafast switching. This study presents the development of optical devices with wavelength tunable or nonlinear optical functionality based on plasmonic effects. For the first part of this study, widely wavelength tunable optical bandpass filters based on the unique properties of long-range surface plasmon polaritons (LR SPP) are presented. Planar metal stripe waveguides surrounded by two different cladding layers that have dissimilar refractive index dispersions were used to develop a wide wavelength tuning. The concept was demonstrated using a set of index-matching fluids and over 200nm of wavelength tuning was achieved with only 0.004 of index variation. For practical application of the proposed concept, a thermo-optic polymer was used to develop a widely tunable thermo-optic bandpass filter and over 220 nm of wavelength tuning was achieved with only 8 ºC of temperature variation. Another novel approach to produce a widely wavelength tunable optical response for free-space optical applications involves integrating plasmonic metasurfaces with quantum-electronic engineered semiconductor layers for giant electro-optic effect, which is proposed and experimentally demonstrated in the second part of this study. Coupling of surface plasmon modes formed by plasmonic nanoresonators with Stark tunable intersubband transitions in multi-quantum well structures induced by applying bias voltages through the semiconductor layer was used to develop tunable spectral responses in the mid-infrared range. Experimentally, over 310 nm of spectral peak tuning around 7 μm of wavelength with 10 ns response time was achieved. As the final part of this study, highly nonlinear metasurfaces based on coupling of electromagnetically engineered plasmonic nanoresonators with quantum-engineered intersubband nonlinearities are proposed and experimentally demonstrated. In the proof-of-concept demonstration, an effective nonlinear susceptibility over 50 nm/V was measured and, after further optimization, over 480 nm/V was measured for second harmonic generation under normal incidence. The proposed concept shows that it is possible to engineer virtually any element of the nonlinear susceptibility tensor of the nonlinear metasurface. / text