Electric excitation of guided modes in integrated circuits is important for the development of compact optical signal processing components as well integrated bio- and chemical sensing applications. Surface plasmons in purely metallic nanostructures are typically excited by external illumination or high-energy electron beams. Low-energy inelastic electron tunnelling is an alternative way to excite surface plasmons in ambient environment with the advantages of high compactness and background free operation. Here we will discuss excitation of waveguided modes, light emission and hot-electrons in electrically-driven plasmonic nanorod metamaterials. The applications will be discussed in integrated photonics and gas sensing, including hydrogen and oxygen gases. Electrically-driven plasmonic nanorod metamaterials comprise a fertile platform merging photonics, electronics and chemistry, opening up opportunities for developing electron tunnelling-based nanoscale devices for light generation and modulation and chemical sensing.

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Anatoly V. Zayats, "Electrically-driven metamaterials (Conference Presentation)," Proc. SPIE 11025, Metamaterials XII, 1102502 (Presented at SPIE Optics + Optoelectronics: April 03, 2019; Published: 13 May 2019); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2521991.6035319598001.