Open AccessConfinement and guiding of two-dimensional optical waves by low-refractive-index cores
Author(s) -
Fuminori Kusunoki,
Tsutomu Yotsuya,
Junichi Takahara
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.14.005651
Subject(s) - refractive index , optics , materials science , core (optical fiber) , step index profile , physics , optical fiber , graded index fiber , fiber optic sensor
A new method for confining and guiding two-dimensional (2D) optical waves is proposed using low-refractive-index materials as cores of metal-gap waveguides. A proper choice of the refractive index of claddings prohibits 2D optical waves from propagating inside the claddings, resulting in strong confinement of waves inside the low-refractive-index cores. We numerically demonstrate that this new method for guiding 2D optical waves can achieve stronger confinement than the conventional one using high-refractive-index cores. This strong confinement leads to efficient guiding of 2D optical waves not only at straight path, but also at sharp 90 degrees bends with negligible radiation losses.