Optimization of gap plasmonic waveguides for nonlinear applications

Christopher McMahon; Brian R. West

doi:10.1117/12.872993

22 September 2010 Optimization of gap plasmonic waveguides for nonlinear applications

Christopher McMahon, Brian R. West

Proceedings Volume 7750, Photonics North 2010; 77502L (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.872993
Event: Photonics North 2010, 2010, Niagara Falls, Canada

Abstract

Highly nonlinear waveguides are essential components for all-optical signal processing. Many promising nonlinear waveguides utilize the Kerr nonlinearity, the strength of which is determined not only by the material properties, but also by geometrical factors, quantified by the waveguide's nonlinear effective area A_eff. In an all-optical switch, the switching threshold power is proportional to A_eff, so optimization of the nonlinear waveguide is equivalent to minimization of A_eff. Recent studies have shown that dielectric slot waveguides can confine optical energy far below the diffraction limit, with nonlinear effective areas considerably less than those attainable in total internal reflection waveguides. In this work, we instead consider the use of a gap plasmonic waveguide (GPW) for deep sub-wavelength optical confinement. Using finite element methods, we compare optimized slot waveguides with GPWs of identical geometry. We show that the GPW achieves a nonlinearity more than an order of magnitude superior to the corresponding dielectric slot waveguide, and that a further optimization of the GPW is possible.

Citation Download Citation

Christopher McMahon and Brian R. West "Optimization of gap plasmonic waveguides for nonlinear applications", Proc. SPIE 7750, Photonics North 2010, 77502L (22 September 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.872993

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available