Publication

of Prof. Uwe D. Zeitner

Filter 46 publications

Filter publications

Highlighted authors are members of the University of Jena.

  3. Scalable plasmonic metasurfaces with features down to 2 nm: advancing nanofabrication for enhancing nonlinear optical effects

    Year of publication J. Gour
    This thesis focuses on the development of a scalable nanofabrication approach for plasmonic metasurfaces and on their linear and nonlinear optical characterization, supporting both localized and collective resonances. First, by combining high-throughput electron-beam writing techniques such as variable shaped beam and character projection strategies with standard metal lift-off processes, large-area plasmonic nanobar metasurfaces were realized on a 100 mm fused silica wafer. These nanobar arrays exhibit resonant lattice plasmon conditions at the excitation and emission wavelengths, leading to enhanced second- and third-harmonic generation. To push the limits of field confinement, a wafer-scale fabrication approach was developed to achieve plasmonic metasurfaces with sub-5 nm gap features. Through a wafer-scale nanofabrication process, independently shaped bow-tie antennas with gap widths down to 2 nm were achieved. Measurements and simulations confirm gap-plasmon modes and collective resonances, while deviations between experiment and theory indicate nonlocal effects. The 2 nm-gap metasurfaces achieve 2–3 orders of magnitude higher second-harmonic efficiency compared to larger-gap structures, and their angular nonlinear response correlates strongly with linear lattice resonance features. Overall, this work demonstrates reliable and scalable fabrication of plasmonic metasurfaces with controllable gap sizes approaching the sub-nanometer regime. The results highlight the need for advanced theoretical models that account for nonlocal response in sub-5 nm nanostructures and open pathways for metasurface-based applications in molecular sensing, nanoscale trapping, and petahertz optoelectronic devices.
    University Bibliography Jena:
    fsu_mods_00029210External link

  4. Ultra shallow silicon EUV gratings fabricated via ion irradiation

    Year of publicationPublished in:EUV and X-Ray Optics: Synergy between Laboratory and Space IX: 7-8 April 2025, Prague, Czech Republic J. Kaufmann, R. Ciesielski, K. Freiberg, M. Walther, A. Fernández Herrero, S. Lippmann, V. Soltwisch, T. Siefke, U. Zeitner
    University Bibliography Jena:
    fsu_mods_00026647External link

  5. Fabrication of shallow EUV gratings on silicon by irradiation with helium ions

    Year of publicationPublished in:Nanotechnology J. Kaufmann, R. Ciesielski, K. Freiberg, M. Walther, A. Fernández Herrero, S. Lippmann, V. Soltwisch, T. Siefke, U. Zeitner
    To accurately achieve structure height differences in the range of single digit nanometres is of great importance for the fabrication of diffraction gratings for the extreme ultraviolet range (EUV). Here, structuring of silicon irradiated through a mask by a broad beam of helium ions with an energy of 30 keV was investigated as an alternative to conventional etching, which offers only limited controllability for shallow structures due to the higher rate of material removal. Utilising a broad ion beam allows for quick and cost effective fabrication. Ion fluence of the irradiations was varied in the range of 10¹⁶ ... 10¹⁷ ions · cm⁻². This enabled a fine tuning of structure height in the range of 1.00 ± 0.05 to 20 ± 1 nm, which is suitable for shallow gratings used in EUV applications. According to transmission electron microscopy investigations the observed structure shape is attributed to the formation of point defects and bubbles/cavities within the silicon. Diffraction capabilities of fabricated elements are experimentally shown at the SX700 beamline of BESSY II. Rigorous Maxwell solver simulation based on the finite-element method and rigorous coupled wave analysis are utilised to describe the experimental obtained diffraction pattern.
    University Bibliography Jena:
    fsu_mods_00023928External link

  6. Fabrication of ultra-shallow EUV gratings in silicon via ion irradiation

    Year of publicationPublished in:Advances in X-ray/EUV sources, optics, and components XX J. Kaufmann, R. Ciesielski, K. Freiberg, M. Walther, A. Herrero, S. Lippmann, V. Soltwisch, T. Siefke, U. Zeitner
    University Bibliography Jena:
    fsu_mods_00029436External link

  7. Nonlinear harmonic generation in sub-5 nm plasmonic nanogap metasurfaces

    Year of publicationPublished in:2025 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe & European Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/Europe-EQEC) S. Beer, J. Gour, P. Paul, A. Alberucci, A. Szeghalmi, T. Siefke, U. Peschel, U. Zeitner, S. Nolte
    University Bibliography Jena:
    fsu_mods_00027672External link

  8. Fabrication of low-loss lithium niobate on insulator waveguides on the wafer scale [Invited]

    Year of publicationPublished in:Optical Materials Express M. Younesi, T. Kasebier, I. Elmanov, Y. Li, P. Kumar, R. Geiss, T. Siefke, F. Eilenberger, F. Setzpfandt, U. Zeitner, T. Pertsch
    We report on the wafer scale fabrication of single-mode low-loss lithium niobate on insulator waveguides utilizing a chemically amplified resist and an optimized dry etching method. The fabricated single-mode waveguides are free of residuals and re-deposition, with measured losses for straight waveguides around 2 dB/m (0.02 dB/cm). We present a method offering advantages for large-scale production mainly due to its cost-effectiveness and faster writing time. This work holds promise for advancing integrated photonics and optical communication technologies.
    University Bibliography Jena:
    fsu_mods_00020928External link

  9. Subwellenlängenstrukturen zur Erzeugung allgemeiner Phasenfunktionen

    Year of publication S. Linß
    Data transmission through optical fibers, lithographic production of semiconductor components, and sensors for autonomous driving are just a few examples for optical technologies in modern societies. The usage of diffractive optical elements (DOEs) offers possibilities for almost arbitrary manipulation of light within small available spaces. One popular approach is the use of metamaterials, which can have properties that are impossible for classical materials. Here, mainly effective-index structures of dielectric materials have been considered. Computer-generated holograms (CGHs), a special type of DOEs, can be used to generate almost arbitrary intensity distributions by their diffraction pattern. The simulation of light propagation through DOEs can be quite challenging. A rigorous simulation of the entire element is often too difficult due to the enormous computational requirements. The aim of this work is to overcome the limitations of established algorithms. For this purpose, new methods for the optical simulation of general DOEs have been developed: On the one hand, the use of suitable approximations allows a significant reduction of the computational effort to solve Maxwell's equations. On the other hand, physical simulations can be bypassed by machine learning to predict the optical function. In addition, the application of the new methods to design and optimization tasks is demonstrated. The presented methods can be used to optimize a variety of DOEs, for example metalenses or beamsplitters with high numerical aperture. In particular, the design of pattern generators for three-dimensional measurement of objects, face recognition, or camera calibration are promising application areas.
    University Bibliography Jena:
    fsu_mods_00014288External link

  10. Mid-infrared dielectric laser acceleration in a silicon dual pillar structure

    Year of publicationPublished in:Optics Express L. Brückner, T. Chlouba, Y. Morimoto, N. Schönenberger, T. Shibuya, T. Siefke, U. Zeitner, P. Hommelhoff
    Dielectric laser accelerators use near-infrared laser pulses to accelerate electrons at dielectric structures. Driving these devices with mid-infrared light should result in relaxed requirements on the electron beam, easier fabrication, higher damage threshold, and thus higher acceleration gradients. In this paper, we demonstrate dielectric laser acceleration of electrons driven with 10 µm light in a silicon dual pillar structure. We observe the acceleration of 27 keV electrons by 1.4 keV, corresponding to a 93 MeV/m acceleration gradient. The damage threshold of the structures of 3.3 ± 0.6 GV/m peak field is significantly higher than for near-infrared accelerators. The dual pillar acceleration structure itself even survived 5.2 ± 0.9 GV/m, the highest field strength we could achieve with the current system. This together with the larger structure acceptance bodes well for future dielectric laser accelerators driven with mid-infrared light.
    University Bibliography Jena:
    fsu_mods_00015789External link

  11. Miniaturized fluorescence measurement system with novel dichroic beam splitter cubes with 3 by 3 by 3 cubic millimeters and special optical direction-selective filters

    Year of publicationPublished in:Optical Design and Engineering IX R. Müller, T. Siefke, U. Zeitner, K. Neckermann, M. Hintz, B. Ploss, M. Lappschies
    University Bibliography Jena:
    fsu_mods_00016232External link

  12. Direct bonding of wafers on non-planar optical substrates and bonding energy measurement via the novel κ-method

    Year of publication P. Birckigt
    In this thesis, the novel concept of direct bonding of wafers on non-planar substrates – in particular, convex cylindrical and convex spherical substrates – is explored, challenging the paradigm that direct bonding requires both surfaces to be highly planar. The motivation stems from the desire to combine advanced diffractive optical elements (DOEs) – which can lithographically only be written into planar substrates – with optical lenses in order to obtain new optical functionalities. As part of this effort, mathematical models to predict complete area stable contacting success are developed and the mechanical stressed bonding interface is investigated through time-resolved contact front propagation experiments. Also, a novel, highly accurate method for measuring the bonding energy in non-planar interfaces is introduced. It was found that direct bonding success can be predicted for a large range of use cases as a function of the wafer’s and the substrate’s geometry. Also, it was discovered that the bonding energy of a mechanically stressed interface stabilizes at a consistent level regardless of the surface waviness. A reaction kinetics model for explaining this phenomenon has been proposed. A demonstrator combining an optical lens and a DOE is manufactured to showcase the potential of direct bonding of wafers on non-planar substrates for the field of advanced optics.
    University Bibliography Jena:
    fsu_mods_00013523External link
Pagination Page 1