Absorption effects on plasmon polaritons in quasiperiodic photonic superlattices containing a metamaterial

Absorption effects on plasmon-polariton excitations in quasiperiodic (Fibonacci and Thue-Morse) one-dimensional stacks composed of layers of right- and left-handed materials are theoretically investigated. A Drude-type dispersive response for both the dielectric permittivity and magnetic permeability of the left-handed layer is considered. Maxwell's equations are solved for oblique incidence by using the transfer matrix formalism, and the reflection coefficient as a function of the frequency and incidence angle is obtained. The Fibonacci (or Thue-Morse) quasiperiodic structure leads to a Cantor-like photonic spectra for the plasmon-polariton modes. Moreover, results for the photonic band structure, density of states and reflection coefficient indicate that plasmon-polariton modes are robust in the presence of low and moderate levels of absorption.