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Effective medium description of plasmonic metamaterials
Optics Express
|June 24, 2009
Summary
We show that plasmonic metamaterials can be modeled as a simple three-layer film. This model explains enhanced transmission as resonant tunneling and reveals possibilities for perfect transmission in thin metamaterials.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Materials Science
- Electromagnetism
Background:
- Plasmonic metamaterials exhibit extraordinary optical transmission.
- Previous models struggle to fully explain the underlying physics of enhanced transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a simplified model for plasmonic metamaterial electromagnetic properties.
- To elucidate the mechanism behind enhanced and perfect transmission.
Main Methods:
- Modeling a perforated metal film as a structureless, three-layer film.
- Identifying enhanced transmission with resonant tunneling phenomena.
Main Results:
- The three-layer film model accurately describes the electromagnetic properties.
- Enhanced transmission is analogous to resonant tunneling.
- Perfect transmission is achievable in metamaterials below a critical thickness.
Conclusions:
- A simplified three-layer model provides effective description of plasmonic metamaterials.
- Resonant tunneling is the key mechanism for enhanced transmission.
- Metamaterial thickness is a critical factor for achieving perfect transmission.
