Title :
Finite Element Analysis of Lossless Propagation in Surface Plasmon Polariton Waveguides With Nanoscale Spot-Sizes
Author :
Krishnan, A. ; De Peralta, L. Grave ; Holtz, M. ; Bernussi, A.A.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Electr. & Comput. Eng., Texas Tech Univ., Lubbock, TX, USA
fDate :
5/1/2009 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
We present simulation results on the propagation characteristics of active plasmonic waveguides at 1.55 mum wavelength based on semiconductors as the active gain media. Three waveguide structures were investigated: metal rib, metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM), and triangular metal groove. In all three structures, we observed strong plasmon mode confinement with nanoscale spot-sizes and corresponding simulated gain values compatible with existing semiconductor technology. We show the effect of systematic modification of waveguide geometry on the required gain for achieving lossless propagation in all the three plasmonic waveguide structures. We demonstrate that lossless propagation with subwavelength spot sizes well below the diffraction limit of light can be obtained by controlling the geometrical parameters of the proposed waveguides.
Keywords :
finite element analysis; integrated optics; metal-semiconductor-metal structures; optical losses; optical materials; optical waveguides; polaritons; rib waveguides; semiconductor materials; surface plasmons; active gain media; active plasmonic waveguide lossless propagation; finite element analysis; metal rib waveguide structure; metal-semiconductor-metal waveguide structure; optical waveguide; plasmon mode confinement; subwavelength spot size; surface plasmon polariton waveguide; triangular metal groove waveguide structure; wavelength 1.55 mum; Diffraction; Finite element methods; Geometry; Lighting control; Optical propagation; Plasmons; Propagation losses; Semiconductor waveguides; Size control; Surface waves; Optical waveguides; metal-semiconductor interfaces; plasmon;
Journal_Title :
Lightwave Technology, Journal of
DOI :
10.1109/JLT.2008.929417
