Open AccessModal evolution in asymmetric three- and four-layer plasmonic waveguides
Author(s) -
Viacheslav Shaidiuk,
Sergey G. Menabde
Publication year - 2016
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.24.016595
Subject(s) - lossy compression , plasmon , optics , dispersion (optics) , refractive index , waveguide , layer (electronics) , materials science , modal dispersion , modal , mode (computer interface) , physics , computer science , optical fiber , nanotechnology , fiber optic sensor , dispersion shifted fiber , polymer chemistry , operating system , artificial intelligence
Through the employment of a novel approach in solving the dispersion for the three-layer plasmonic waveguides, considering lossy metals, we demonstrate that, besides well-known modes, the complete dispersion always contains high-lossy periodic solutions. Consideration of these solutions is shown to be crucial for the understanding of every aspect of dispersion evolution at broad spectral range when the thickness of the middle layer is varied. In particular, we show that generally considered modes of the three-layer waveguide transform into the single interface modes via interaction with high-lossy periodic solutions. Furthermore, the negative index mode is shown to experience a transition between low- and high-lossy regimes depending on the waveguide's thickness. Our results, avoiding complicated analytical analysis, perfectly integrate and importantly complement past theoretical works.