Abstract

We theoretically investigate the properties of compact couplers between high-index contrast dielectric slab waveguides and two-dimensional metal-dielectric-metal subwavelength plasmonic waveguides. We show that a coupler created by simply placing a dielectric waveguide terminated flat at the exit end of a plasmonic waveguide can be designed to have a transmission efficiency of ~70% at the optical communication wavelength. We also show that the transmission efficiency of the couplers can be further increased by using optimized multisection tapers. In both cases the transmission response is broadband. In addition, we investigate the properties of a Fabry-Perot structure in which light is coupled in and out of a plasmonic waveguide sandwiched between dielectric waveguides. Finally, we discuss potential fabrication processes for structures that demonstrate the predicted effects.

© 2007 Optical Society of America

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History
Original Manuscript: November 6, 2006
Manuscript Accepted: January 17, 2007
Revised Manuscript: January 17, 2007
Published: February 5, 2007

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Author Affiliations

Georgios Veronis, Shanhui Fan

Stanford University

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