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Negative refractive index in coaxial plasmon waveguides
René de Waele1, Stanley P Burgos, Harry A Atwater
1Center for Nanophotonics, FOM-Institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics,Science Park 104, 1098 XG Amsterdam, The Netherlands. waele@amolf.nl
Optics Express
|July 1, 2010
Summary
This study demonstrates coaxial waveguides with metallic components can achieve a negative refractive index in visible light. Optimized designs offer high performance for applications in plasmonics and metamaterials.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Negative refractive index (NRI) materials are crucial for advanced optical applications.
- Coaxial waveguide structures offer unique electromagnetic properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To theoretically investigate the potential of coaxial waveguides for achieving negative refractive index modes.
- To explore the influence of dielectric gap size and material on NRI performance.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical modeling of coaxial waveguides with metallic core, dielectric cylinder, and metal outer layer.
- Analysis of electromagnetic modes and optical properties across a broad spectral range.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated NRI modes in visible spectrum for coaxial waveguides.
- Achieved a figure-of-merit of 18 at 460 nm with a 10 nm GaP/Ag gap.
- Extended NRI spectral range below surface plasmon resonance for larger gaps.
- Tuned geometry for specific NRI values (n = -1, n = 0) and decay lengths.
Conclusions:
- Coaxial waveguides are a viable platform for realizing visible-light NRI.
- Geometric and material tuning allows for precise control over NRI properties.
- Potential for applications in metamaterials, cloaking, and subwavelength optics.
