Optical anapole modes in hybrid metal-dielectric nanoantenna for near-field enhancement and optical sensing

Metal-dielectric nanostructures in the optical anapole modes are essential for light-matter interactions due to the low material loss and high near-field enhancement. Herein, a hybrid metal-dielectric nanoantenna composed of six wedge-shaped gold (Au) nanoblocks as well as silica (SiO₂) and silicon (Si) nanodiscs is designed and analyzed by the finite element method (FEM). The nanoantenna exhibits flexibility in excitation and manipulation of the anapole mode through the strong coupling between the metal and dielectrics, consequently improving the near-field enhancement at the gap. By systematically optimizing the structural parameters, the electric field enhancement factors at wavelengths corresponding to the anapole modes (AM1 and AM2) can be increased to 518 and 1482, respectively. Moreover, the nanoantenna delivers great performance in optical sensing such as a sensitivity of 550 nm/RIU. The results provide guidance and insights into enhancing the coupling between metals and dielectrics for applications such as surface-enhanced Raman scattering and optical sensing. © 2023 Chinese Physical Society and IOP Publishing Ltd