Light-activated nanoheaters with programmable time-dependent response(Conference Presentation)

We design nanopatterned, all-dielectric structures that heat up suddenly when illuminated by a laser. The delay time for heating can be programmed into the structure by adjusting the spacing and size of holes in the pattern. The key operating principle is excitation of an absorptive, electromagnetic resonance in the structure by laser light, combined with a thermooptic response. Shifting of the resonance in time leads to a sudden increase in absorptive heating when the resonance aligns with the laser wavelength. We use optical transmission measurements to characterize the heating behavior in both air and water and demonstrate controlled microbubble formation.