An Ultra-Compact Broadband Polarizing Beam Splitter Utilizing Hybrid Plasmonic Waveguide

Polarizing beam splitter has rather significant applications in polarization diversity circuits and polarization multiplexing systems.In this paper,we present an asymmetric polarizing beam splitter utilizing hybrid plasmonic waveguide.The special hybrid structure with a hybrid waveguide and a dielectric waveguide can limit the energy of TE and TM modes to a different layer.Therefore,we can achieve beam splitting by adjusting the corresponding parameters of the two waveguides.First,we studied the influences of different structure parameters on the real part of the effective mode refractive index of the two waveguides,and obtained a set of parameters that satisfy the condition of strong coupling of TM mode and weak coupling of TE mode.Then,the performance of our proposed polarizing beam splitter is evaluated numerically.The length of the coupling section is only 4.1μm,and the propagation loss of TM and TE modes is 0.0025 d B/μm and 0.0031 d B/μm respectively.Additionally,the extinction ratios of TM and TE modes are 10.62 d B and 12.55 d B,respectively.Particularly,the proposed device has excellent wavelength insensitivity.Over the entire C-band,the fluctuation of the whole normalized output power is less than 0.03.In short,our proposed asymmetric polarizing beam splitter features ultra-compactness,low propagation loss,and broad bandwidth,which would provide promising applications in polarization multiplexing system and polarization diversity circuits relevant to optical interconnection.

A low-threshold nanolaser based on hybrid plasmonic waveguides at the deep subwavelength scale

A novel nanolaser structure based on a hybrid plasmonic waveguide is proposed and investigated. The coupling between the metal nanowire and the high-index semiconductor nanowire with optical gain leads to a strong field enhancement in the air gap region and low propagation loss, which enables the realization of lasing at the deep subwavelength scale.By optimizing the geometric parameters of the structure, a minimal lasing threshold is achieved while maintaining the capacity of ultra-deep subwavelength mode confinement. Compared with the previous coupled nanowire pair based hybrid plasmonic structure, a lower threshold can be obtained with the same geometric parameters. The proposed nanolaser can be integrated into a miniature chip as a nanoscale light source and has the potential to be widely used in optical communication and optical sensing technology.

Gain-assisted indented plasmonic waveguide for low-threshold nanolaser applications

A subwavelength plasmonic indented waveguide with an active InGaAsP core is proposed.The characteristics of the gap plasmon mode and gain required for lossless propagation are investigated and analyzed by the finite element method.We numerically calculate the normalized mode areas and percentages of energy confined in InGaAsP and metal for plasmonic nanolaser applications.It is shown that the indentation of the sidewalls has an optimal value for which the lasing threshold gain is minimal.The structure could enable low-threshold subwavelength lasing and applications for optoelectronic integrated circuits.

A visible-near infrared tunable waveguide based on plasmonic gold nanoshell

A tunable plasmonic waveguide via gold nanoshells immerged in a silica base is proposed and simulated by using the finite difference time-domain （FDTD） method. For waveguides based on near-field coupling, transmission frequencies can be tuned in a wide region from 660 to 900 nm in wavelength by varying shell thicknesses. After exploring the steady distributions of electric fields in these waveguides, we find that their decay lengths are about 5.948-12.83 dB/1000 nm, which is superior to the decay length （8.947 dB/1000 nm） of a gold nanosphere plasmonic waveguide. These excellent tunability and transmittability are mainly due to the unique hollow structure. These gold nanoshell waveguides should be fabricated in laboratory.

Propagation properties of a modified surface plasmonic waveguide with an arc slot

We introduce a modified surface plasmonic waveguide with an arc slot. The dependences of distribution of energy flux density, effective index, propagation length and mode area of the symmetric mode supported by this waveguide on geometrical parameters and working wavelength are analysed by using the finite-difference frequency-domain （FDFD） method. Results show that the energy flux density distributes mainly in four corners which are formed by two arcs, and the closer to the corners it is, the stronger the energy flux density will be. The effective index, the propagation length and the mode area are influenced by geometrical parameters, including the width, the thickness and the arc radius of the surface plasmonic waveguide, as well as the working wavelength. It has been shown that the surface plasmonic waveguide with an arc slot has better propagation properties than the surface plasmonic waveguide with a straight slot. This work may be helpful for applying the slot surface plasmonic waveguide to integrated photonics.

Simulation and Design of a Submicron Ultrafast Plasmonic Switch Based on Nonlinear Doped Silicon MIM Waveguide

We propose and analyze a submicron stub-assisted ultrafast all-optical plasmonic switch based on nonlinear MIM waveguide. It is constructed by two silicon stub filters sandwiched by silver cladding. The signal wavelength is assumed to be 1550 nm. The simulation results show a ?14.66 dB extinction ratio. Downscaling the silicon waveguide in MIM structure leads to enhancement of the effective Kerr nonlinearity due to tight mode confinement. Also, using O+ ions implanted into silicon, the switching time less than 10 ps and a delay time less than 8 fs are achieved. The overall length of the switch is 550 nm.

An Ultraviolet Hybrid Plasmonic Waveguide for Nanolaser Applications

In this paper, a novel hybrid plasmonic waveguide with a metal ridge and an MgF2 dielectric layer is demonstrated at ultraviolet band. We investigate the propagation distance, the scaling factor and the figure of merit by using the finite element method. The structure enables low scaling factor and long propagation distance. Compared to the previous structure with a metal plate, this waveguide has better performance. And the structure can be used as a nanolaser and has broad application prospects in optoelectronic integrated circuits, biological detection and so on.

Modified surface plasmonic waveguide formed by nanometric parallel lines

In this paper, two kinds of modified surface plasmonic waveguides formed by nanometric parallel lines are proposed. The finite-difference frequency-domain method is used to study propagation properties of the fundamental mode supported by these surface plasmonie waveguide structures. Results show that the transverse magnetic field of the fundamental mode is mainly distributed in the face to face region formed by two rods. With the same geometrical parameters and the same working wavelength of 632.8 nm, in the case of rods with a triangular cross-section, the degree of localization of field is strong, i.e. the mode area is small, but the fraction of the modal power in the metal increases, so the effective index increases and the propagation length of the mode decreases. With the same geometrical parameters, relative to the case of a working wavelength of 632.8 nm, when working wavelength is large, the mode area of transverse magnetic field distribution is large, i.e. the degree of localization of field is weak, and the interaction of field and silver is weak too, then the effective index decreases, so the propagation length increases. The rounded radii of rods have a great influence on the performance of the surface plasmonic waveguides with rounded triangular cross-sections, but have little influence on the performance of surface plasmonic waveguides with rounded square cross-sections. Since the distribution of transverse magnetic field, effective index, propagation length and the mode area can be adjusted by the geometrical parameters, this kind of modified surface plasmonic waveguide can be applied to the field of photonic device integration and sensors.

Quantum steerability of two qubits mediated by one-dimensional plasmonic waveguides

We study the dynamics of the quantum steering between two separated qubits trapped in a one-dimensional plasmonic waveguide.By numerical methods,we calculate the quantum steerability and other quantum correlations,i.e.,entanglement,discord,and coherence,for both cases with and without laser driving fields.It is found that steerability may exhibit a sudden disappearance and sudden reappearance phenomenon.Specifically,there exist time windows with no steerability but finite entanglement.The effects of plasmon wavenumber and the distance between the two qubits on steerability are also examined.Furthermore,we show that quantum steerability is tunable by adjusting the laser driving fields.

Tunable coupling of a hybrid plasmonic waveguide consisting of two identical dielectric cylinders and a silver film

The propagation length of surface plasmon polaritons（SPPs） is intrinsically limited by the metallic ohmic loss that is enhanced by the strongly confined electromagnetic field. In this paper, we propose a new class of hybrid plasmonic waveguides（HPWs） that can support long-range SPP propagation while keeping subwavelength optical field confinement. It is shown that the coupling between the waveguides can be well tuned by simply varying the structural parameters. Compared with conventional HPWs, a larger propagation length as well as a better optical field confinement can be simultaneously realized. The proposed structure with better optical performance can be useful for future photonic device design and optical integration research.

Engineering optical gradient force from coupled surface plasmon polariton modes in nanoscale plasmonic waveguides

We explore the dispersion properties and optical gradient forces from mutual coupling of surface plasmon polariton（SPP） modes at two interfaces of nanoscale plasmonic waveguides with hyperbolic metamaterial cladding.With Maxwell＇s equations and Maxwell stress tensor,we calculate and compare the dispersion relation and optical gradient force for symmetric and antisymmetric SPP modes in two kinds of nanoscale plasmonic waveguides.The numerical results show that the optical gradient force between two coupled hyperbolic metamaterial waveguides can be engineered flexibly by adjusting the waveguide structure parameters.Importantly,an alternative way to boost the optical gradient force is provided through engineering the hyperbolic metamaterial cladding of suitable orientation.These special optical properties will open the door for potential optomechanical applications,such as optical tweezers and actuators.

A High-Sensitivity Refractive-Index Sensor Based on Plasmonic Waveguides Asymmetrically Coupled with a Nanodisk Resonator

A high-sensitivity plasmonic refractive-index sensor based on the asymmetrical coupling of two metal-insulator- metal waveguides with a nanodisk resonator is proposed and simulated in the finite-difference time domain. Both analytic and simulated results show that the resonance wavelengths of the sensor have an approximate linear relationship with the refractive index of the materials which are filled into the slit waveguides and the disk- shaped resonator. The working mechanism of this sensor is exactly due to the linear relationship, based on which tile refractive index of the materials unknown can be obtained from the detection of the resonance wavelength. The measurement sensitivity can reach as high as 6.45 × 10-7, which is nearly five times higher than the results reported in the recent literature [Opt. Commun. 300 （2013） 265]. With an optimum design, the sensing value can be further improved, and it can be widely applied into the biological sensing. Tile sensor working for temperature sensing is also analyzed.

Review on plasmon induced transparency based on metal-dielectric-metal waveguides

Plasmon induced transparency(PIT)in the transparent window provides new insights into the design of optical filters,switches and storage,and integrated optics.The slow light effect makes PIT applicable to both sensors and slow light devices.Besides,PIT can overcome the diffraction limit of light,which makes it possible to manipulate light on a half-wavelength scale and brings good news to the miniaturization of optical devices.In this paper,we first summarize the researches of PIT phenomenon based on metal-dielectric-metal(MDM)waveguide systems and analyze the physical mechanisms of PIT including bright-dark mode interactions and phase-coupling-induced transparency.Then,we review the applications of PIT in optical sensing,optical filtering,optical switching,slow light devices and optical logic devices.At last,we outline important challenges that need to be addressed,provide corresponding solutions and predict important directions for future research in this area.

Enhanced and tunable circular dichroism in the visible waveband by coupling of the waveguide mode and local surface plasmon resonances in double-layer asymmetric metal grating

Circular dichroism(CD)has shown very interesting possibilities as a means to characterize the chiral signal of a chiral structure.Here,we theoretically demonstrated enhanced and tunable CD in the visible light regime using a composite structure consisting of a double-layer metal grating gaped by a dielectric waveguide layer.Based on the coupling of the waveguide modes and the localized plasmonic resonances,the CD could reach a maximum value as high as 0.52 at635 nm,which is four times higher than the CD value obtained in a conventional double-layer grating without the waveguide coupling effect.Furthermore,the spectral positions of the enhanced CD bands could be easily tuned by controlling the structural parameters.The proposed hybrid double-grating and waveguide structures could have potential applications in chiral selective imaging,sensing and spectroscopy,especially where the transmission measurement is required.

Compact surface plasmon amplifier in nonlinear hybrid waveguide

Surface plasmon polariton（SPP）, a sub-wavelength surface wave promising for photonic integration, always suffers from the large metallic loss that seriously restricts its practical application. Here, we propose a compact SPP amplifier based on a nonlinear hybrid waveguide（a combination of silver, LiNbO3, and SiO2）, where a couple of Bragg gratings are introduced in the waveguide to construct a cavity. This special waveguide is demonstrated to support a highly localized SPP-like hybrid mode and a low loss waveguide-like hybrid mode. To provide a large nonlinear gain, a pumping wave input from the LiNbO3 waveguide is designed to resonate inside the cavity and satisfy the cavity phase matching to fulfill the optical parametric amplification（OPA） of the SPP signal. Proper periods of gratings and the cavity length are chosen to satisfy the impedance matching condition to ensure the high input efficiency of the pump wave from the outside into the cavity. In theoretical calculations, this device demonstrates a high performance in a very compact scheme（~3.32 μm） and a much lower pumping power for OPA compared with single-pass pumping. To obtain a comprehensive insight into this cavity OPA, the influences of the pumping power, cavity length, and the initial phase are discussed in detail.

Magnetic plasmon mode resonance and power transmission in a nanosandwich waveguide

The magnetic plasmon （MP） modes in the metal-dielectric-metal nanosandwich structure are investigated nu- merically, and the principle of energy resonance in such a resonator is proposed. An equivalent inductance capacitance circuit analysis method is proposed and the results are in agreement with the numerical simulations. Based on the MP resonance in such a structure, a nanosandwich chain waveguide is designed. Gold and silver are chosen as the metal materials. The power transmission e^ciency of the nanosandwieh waveguide can be as high as 0.546 in a specific nanosandwich unit cell, even when the metal absorption loss is large, which is the perspective of the new waveguides and lasers based on MP modes.

Hybrid plasmon waveguides with metamaterial substrate and dielectric substrate:A contrastive study

Hybrid plasmon waveguides, respectively, with metamaterial substrate and dielectric substrate are investigated and analyzed contrastively with a numerical finite element method. Basic properties, including propagation length Lp, effective mode area Aeff, and energy distribution, are obtained and compared with waveguide geometric parameters at 1.55 gin. For the waveguide with metamaterial substrate, propagation length Lp increases to several tens of microns and effective mode area Aeff is reduced by more than 3 times. Moreover, the near field region is expanded, leading to potential applications in nanophotonics. Therefore, it could be very helpful for improving the integration density in optical chips and developing functional components on a nanometer scale for all optical integrated circuits.

Surface plasmon polariton waveguides with subwavelength confinement

Surface plasmon polaritons（SPPs） are evanescent waves propagating along metal-dielectric interfaces, which provide an effective way to realize optical wave guiding with subwavelength confinement. Metallic nanostructures supporting SPPs,that is, plasmonic waveguides, are considered as required components to construct nanophotonic devices and circuits with a high degree of miniaturization and integration. In this paper, various types of plasmonic waveguides operating in the visible, infrared, and terahertz regions are reviewed, and the status of the research on their fundamentals, fabrications,and applications is provided as well. First, we discuss the mechanisms of SPPs beyond the diffraction limit, and their launching methods. Then, the characteristics of SPPs on various plasmonic waveguides are reviewed, including top-down and bottom-up fabricated types. Considering applications, certain prototypes of plasmonic devices and circuits constructed by plasmonic waveguides for bio/chemo sensing, router, and light modulation are demonstrated. Finally, a summary and future outlook of plasmonic waveguides are given.

Giant Goos–Hnchen shifts of waveguide coupled long-range surface plasmon resonance mode

A hybrid structure based on a planar waveguide （PWG） mode coupling a long-range surface plasmon resonance （LRSPR） mode is proposed to enhance the GH shift. Both the PWG mode and LRSPR mode can be in strong resonance, and these two modes can be coupled together due to the normal-mode splitting. The largest GH shift of PWG-coupled LRSPR structure is 4156 times that of the incident beam, which is 23 times and 3.6 times that of the surface plasmon resonance （SPR） structure and the LRSPR structure, respectively. As a GH shift sensor, the highest sensitivity of 4.68 x 107 λ is realized in the coupled structure. Compared with the sensitivity of the traditional SPR structure, the sensitivity of our structure is increased by more than 2 orders, which theoretically indicates that the proposed configuration can be applied to the field of high-sensitivity sensors in the future.

Open Waveguide Based on Low Frequency Spoof Surface Plasmon Polaritons

A kind of plasmonic open waveguide, which is a periodic subwavelength metallic Domino array, is investigated both theoretically and experimentally in this paper. Based on the guiding mechanism of spoof surface plasmon polaritions (spoof SPPs), the transmission properties of this waveguide are controllable by altering the geometric parameters of the periodic structure. Microwave experimental results verify the high efficiency of wave guiding in such open waveguide, as predicted in theoretic analysis.