Propagation and attenuation of fields in chains of nanopores

Properties of electromagnetic waves propagating along chains of spherical voids in metal are studied. Metal is modelled by lossy plasma, and the Drude model is used. Because in plasma the fields are strongly decaying, the propagation is possible through the coupling of the neighbouring pores. For effective propagation the pores are very close to each other. It is found that in a single chain of pores there can propagate forward and backward waves. In this study we consider also the modes propagating in a system of two chains. In optical frequency region some noble metals behaves as almost lossless plasma. The effects caused by small losses are considered.