Nanoinsulators and nanoconnectors for optical nanocircuits

Following our recent idea of using plasmonic and non-plasmonic nanoparticlesas nanoinductors and nanocapacitors in the infrared and optical domains [N.Engheta, A. Salandrino, and A. Alu, Phys. Rev. Letts., Vol. 95, 095504,(2005)], in this work we analyze in detail some complex circuit configurationsinvolving series and parallel combinations of these lumped nanocircuit elementsat optical frequencies. Using numerical simulations, it is demonstrated that,after a proper design, the behavior of these nanoelements may closely mimicthat of their lower frequency (i.e., radio frequency (RF) and microwave)counterparts, even in relatively complex configurations. In addition, weanalyze here in detail the concepts of nanoinsulators and nanoconnectors in theoptical domain, demonstrating how these components may be crucial in minimizingthe coupling between adjacent optical nanocircuit elements and in properlyconnecting different branches of the nanocircuit. The unit nanomodules forlumped nanoelements are introduced as building blocks for more complexnanocircuits at optical frequencies. Numerical simulations of some complexcircuit scenarios considering the frequency response of these nanocircuits arepresented and discussed in details, showing how practical applications of suchoptical nanocircuit concepts may indeed be feasible within the current limitsof nanotechnology.Comment: under revie