@article { ISI:000316102600001,
	title = {Submicron bidirectional all-optical plasmonic switches},
	journal = {Scientific Reports},
	volume = {3},
	year = {2013},
	month = {MAR 14},
	pages = {1451},
	publisher = {NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP},
	type = {Article},
	address = {MACMILLAN BUILDING, 4 CRINAN ST, LONDON N1 9XW, ENGLAND},
	abstract = {Ultra-small all-optical switches are of importance in highly integrated optical communication and computing networks. However, the weak nonlinear light-matter interactions in natural materials present an enormous challenge to realize efficiently switching for the ultra-short interaction lengths. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a submicron bidirectional all-optical plasmonic switch with an asymmetric T-shape single slit. Sharp asymmetric spectra as well as significant field enhancements (about 18 times that in the conventional slit case) occur in the symmetry-breaking structure. Consequently, both of the surface plasmon polaritons propagating in the opposite directions on the metal surface are all-optically controlled inversely at the same time with the on/off switching ratios of \&gt;6 dB for the device lateral dimension of \&lt;1 mu m. Moreover, in such a submicron structure, the coupling of free-space light and the on-chip bidirectional switching are integrated together. This submicron bidirectional all-optical switch may find important applications in the highly integrated plasmonic circuits.},
	issn = {2045-2322},
	doi = {10.1038/srep01451},
	author = {Chen, Jianjun and Li, Zhi and Xiang Zhang and Xiao, Jinghua and Qihuang Gong}
}
