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Published on: September 27, 2011
Nonlocal effects in a hybrid plasmonic waveguide for nanoscale confinement
Qiangsheng Huang1, Fanglin Bao, Sailing He
1Centre for Optical and Electromagnetic Research, JORCEP [Sino-Sweden Joint Research Center of Photonics], Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Sensing Technologies, Zhejiang University, East Building No.5, Zijingang Campus, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
Optics Express
|February 8, 2013
Summary
This study explores nonlocal optical response in silicon hybrid plasmonic waveguides (HPWs). Nonlocal effects improve light confinement and reduce loss in these novel waveguides.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Hybrid plasmonic waveguides (HPWs) offer potential for nanoscale light manipulation.
- Understanding nonlocal optical response is crucial for optimizing waveguide performance.
- Silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platforms are widely used in integrated photonics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of nonlocal optical response on silicon hybrid plasmonic waveguides (HPWs).
- To analyze the propagation modes and performance metrics of a novel HPW design.
- To explore the influence of geometric parameters on confinement and loss.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing the finite element method to implement the hydrodynamic model.
- Analyzing the propagation mode of an inverted metal nano-rib over SOI structure.
- Validating simulation methods by comparing with analytical results for cylindrical and slab waveguides.
Main Results:
- Achieved an extremely small mode area (~10⁻⁶λ²) and long propagation distance (several microns) at 1.55 μm.
- Demonstrated improved figure of merit (FoM) compared to previous HPWs.
- Found that nonlocal effects lead to reduced loss and enhanced confinement.
- Identified a fundamental limitation on confinement due to nonlocal effects, resulting in a finite mode area even with sharp tips.
Conclusions:
- Nonlocal optical response is beneficial for silicon HPWs, enhancing confinement and reducing propagation loss.
- The radius of the rib's tip significantly influences loss and confinement.
- Nonlocal effects impose fundamental limits on light confinement in HPWs, ensuring a finite mode area.
