Abstract

Most state-of-the-art optical metamaterials are thin layers of functionalized plasmonic nanostructures of certain geometries. To enhance the understanding how such systems can be used in waveguide geometries, we investigate the interaction of a dielectric waveguide with the plasmonic nanostructures. As a model system we choose a double cut-wire on top of a slab waveguide consisting of a 350 nm thick layer of Si₃N₄ (n = 2.0) on a fused silica substrate. Since the waveguide is terminated by air, its refractive index profile is highly asymmetric. Hence, the fundamental TM mode possesses a relatively strong electric field component in propagation direction. This configuration allows to probe plasmonic eigenmodes of the double cut-wire.

© 2011 IEEE