Active switching and tuning of sharp Fano resonances in the mid-infrared spectral region

We propose and analyze a scheme for active switching and spectral tuning of midinfrared Fano resonances. We consider dielectric resonators made of semiconductor cylinder arrays and block pairs, and theoretically investigate their optical response change due to carrier generation. Owing to sharp optical resonances in these structures and large dielectric constant variations with carrier densities, the significant spectral tuning of Fano resonances is achievable. Furthermore, selective optical pumping in coupled semiconductor structures can even enable dynamic switching of Fano resonances. This leads to a drastic change in the scattering spectra as well as in the near-field intensity. We also observe a stark difference between Fano resonances in cylinder arrays and block pairs. To understand this unusual behavior, we adopt the two coupled oscillator model, and extract the relevant Fano resonance parameters that explain this difference. Our findings and in-depth analyses can be useful for molecular sensors and switching devices in the technologically important mid-infrared spectral region. (C) 2016 Optical Society of America