Integrated nanoplasmonic waveguides for magnetic, nonlinear, and strong-field devices

Abstract

Abstract:As modern complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) circuitry rapidly approaches fundamental speed and bandwidth limitations, optical platforms have become promising candidates to circumvent these limits and facilitate massive increases in computational power. To compete with high density CMOS circuitry, optical technology within the plasmonic regime is desirable, because of the sub-diffraction limited confinement of electromagnetic energy, large optical bandwidth, and ultrafast processing capabilities. As such, nanoplasmonic waveguides act as nanoscale conduits for optical signals, thereby forming the backbone of such a platform. In recent years, significant research interest has developed to uncover the fundamental physics governing phenomena occurring within nanoplasmonic waveguides, and to implement unique optical devices. In doing so, a wide variety of material properties have been exploited. CMOS-compatible materials facilitate passive plasmonic routing devices for directing the confined radiation. Magnetic materials facilitate time-reversal symmetry breaking, aiding in the development of nonreciprocal isolators or modulators. Additionally, strong confinement and enhancement of electric fields within such waveguides require the use of materials with high nonlinear coefficients to achieve increased nonlinear optical phenomenon in a nanoscale footprint. Furthermore, this enhancement and confinement of the fields facilitate the study of strong-field effects within the solid-state environment of the waveguide. Here, we review current stateof-the-art physics and applications of nanoplasmonic waveguides pertaining to passive, magnetoplasmonic, nonlinear, and strong-field devices. Such components are essential elements in integrated optical circuitry, and each fulfill specific roles in truly developing a chip-scale plasmonic computing architecture.

Stimulated Scattering of Surface Plasmon Polaritons in a Plasmonic Waveguide with a Smectic A Liquid Crystalline Core

“…In the absence of the external electric field, the homogeneous solution of the equation of motion (9) represents the SS wave with the dispersion relation [29]:…”

“…The SPP field confinement and enhancement can be changed by modifying the structure of the metal or the dielectric near the interface [1]. For example, plasmonic waveguides can be created [1,[7][8][9]. Nanoplasmonic waveguides can confine and enhance electric fields near the nanometallic surfaces due to the propagating SPPs [9].…”

“…For example, plasmonic waveguides can be created [1,[7][8][9]. Nanoplasmonic waveguides can confine and enhance electric fields near the nanometallic surfaces due to the propagating SPPs [9]. Nanoplasmonic waveguide consists of one or two metal films combined with one or two dielectric slabs [9].…”

“…Nanoplasmonic waveguides can confine and enhance electric fields near the nanometallic surfaces due to the propagating SPPs [9]. Nanoplasmonic waveguide consists of one or two metal films combined with one or two dielectric slabs [9]. Typically, two types of the plasmonic waveguides exist: (i) an insulator/metal/insulator (IMI) heterostructure where a thin metallic layer is placed between two infinitely thick dielectric claddings and (ii) a metal/insulator/metal (MIM) heterostructure where a thin dielectric layer is sandwiched between two metallic claddings [7].…”

“…Typically, two types of the plasmonic waveguides exist: (i) an insulator/metal/insulator (IMI) heterostructure where a thin metallic layer is placed between two infinitely thick dielectric claddings and (ii) a metal/insulator/metal (MIM) heterostructure where a thin dielectric layer is sandwiched between two metallic claddings [7]. The MIM waveguides for nonlinear optical applications require highly nonlinear dielectrics [9]. The nonlinear metamaterials can significantly increase the nonlinearity magnitude [10].…”