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Using Microwave and Macroscopic Samples of Dielectric Solids to Study the Photonic Properties of Disordered Photonic Bandgap Materials
Published on: September 26, 2014
Photonic band structures for surface waves on structured metal surfaces.
Optics Express
|June 6, 2009
Summary
Surface modes exist on structured metal surfaces with periodic holes, confirmed by full-vectorial finite-difference time-domain simulations. These modes can behave as coupled cavity modes, showing low group velocity and surface confinement.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Materials Science
- Surface physics and nanophotonics
Background:
- Structured metal surfaces with periodic holes exhibit unique electromagnetic properties.
- Surface modes are crucial for manipulating light at the nanoscale.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the existence and properties of surface modes on structured metal surfaces.
- To explore the behavior of these modes using numerical simulations and compare with experimental data.
Main Methods:
- Full-vectorial finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method for calculating photonic band structures.
- Analysis of various lattice types, hole sizes, shapes, and depths.
- Comparison of simulation results with experimental data for a specific brass lattice.
Main Results:
- Surface modes were found to exist for nearly all investigated lattice types and hole geometries.
- Simulations for a square lattice of wax-filled box holes in brass showed excellent agreement with experimental results.
- Finite-depth holes can function as cavities, supporting propagating coupled cavity modes.
Conclusions:
- Periodic structuring of metal surfaces enables the formation of surface modes.
- The FDTD method accurately predicts the behavior of these surface modes.
- Coupled cavity modes with unique properties (low group velocity, surface confinement) can be engineered in such structures.
