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Negative index and indefinite media waveguide couplers

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Abstract

We study the coupling interaction between dielectric waveguides and coupling elements made from negative-refracting media. The coupling configuration consists of a length of dielectric waveguide, which terminates either directly into or near a planar layer composed of the negative-refracting medium, and is followed by a second waveguide. Radiation output from the first waveguide is refocused at the position of the second waveguide, so that the negative-refracting layer serves as a coupler between the waveguides. Because both isotropic negative-index layers and bilayers of indefinite media can recover the near-field, evanescent components of a source field distribution, the coupling between the input and output waveguides can be highly efficient – in principle providing perfect, lossless coupling. We present simulations and some initial experimental results illustrating the coupling effect, and speculate on the potential for optical fiber couplers and integrated modulators.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Duke University, Box 90291, Durham, NC, 27708, USA

    A. Degiron, D.R. Smith, J.J. Mock, B.J. Justice & J. Gollub

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  1. A. Degiron
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  2. D.R. Smith
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  3. J.J. Mock
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  4. B.J. Justice
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  5. J. Gollub
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Correspondence to D.R. Smith.

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PACS

42.79.Gn; 41.20.-q; 42.70.-a

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Degiron, A., Smith, D., Mock, J. et al. Negative index and indefinite media waveguide couplers. Appl. Phys. A 87, 321–328 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-006-3835-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-006-3835-2

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