Computational Characterization of Magneto-Plasmonic Nanowires

Magneto-plasmonic systems constitute an unconventional route for all-optical manipulation of magnetic properties and has strong potential for developing applications in technologies such as high-density data storage and memory devices. Magnetic elements have poor optical properties with very damped localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPR). In contrast, plasmonic elements have very defined and intense LSPRs but their magnetic properties are very much nonexistent. Combining both materials adds a new dimension of functionality and allows for a system to exhibit magneto-optical properties. From this emerges a new phenomena of a ferroplasmon. Here, we present a computational study of the magneto-optical properties of hyrbid nanowires composed of a noble metal paired with soft ferromagnetic material. Our goal is to theoretically design a complex nanowire that will exhibit strong plasmon-induced surface currents and a strong magnetic dipole moment for the optical control of magnetic properties. We use the finite-difference time-domain method (FDTD) to compute the LSPR, magnetic enhancement, and current density of different cases such as capped nanowires, segmented nanowires, and coaxial nanowires. The various cases are compared to one another in order to find the optimal system.