In this paper, we proposed new structured metamaterials with multi-helical nanowires to construct circular polarizers with higher S/N ratios. Compared with the single-helical ones reported by J. K. Gansel et al. [Science 325, 1513 (2009), Opt. Express 18, 1059 (2010)], which has a lower S/N ratio (~10 dB) due to the high intensity conversion, the circular polarizers with the multi-helical structures have average two orders higher S/N ratios (~35 dB). Simultaneously, other optical performances, such as operation bands, average extinction ratios, are also improved.

© 2011 OSA

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Appl. Opt.

• A. D. Rakic, A. B. Djurisic, J. M. Elazar, and M. L. Majewski, “Optical properties of metallic films for vertical-cavity optoelectronic devices,” Appl. Opt. 37(22), 5271–5283 (1998), http://www.opticsinfobase.org/ao/abstract.cfm?URI=ao-37-22-5271 . [CrossRef]

IEEE Trans. Antenn. Propag.

• P. Harms, R. Mittra, and W. Ko, “Implementation of the periodic boundary condition in the finite-difference time-domain algorithm for FSS structures,” IEEE Trans. Antenn. Propag. 42(9), 1317–1324 (1994). [CrossRef]

IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Tech.

• A. Alu and N. Engheta, “Guided modes in a waveguide filled with a pair of singlenegative (SNG) double-negative (DNG), and/or double-positive (DPS) layers,” IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Tech. 52(1), 199–210 (2004). [CrossRef]

J. Comput. Phys.

• J. P. Berenger, “A perfectly matched layer for the absorption of electromagnetic-waves,” J. Comput. Phys. 114(2), 185–200 (1994). [CrossRef]

Opt. Express

• J. K. Gansel, M. Wegener, S. Burger, and S. Linden, “Gold helix photonic metamaterials: a numerical parameter study,” Opt. Express 18(2), 1059–1069 (2010), http://www.opticsinfobase.org/abstract.cfm?URI=oe-18-2-1059 . [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Phys. Rev. E Stat. Nonlin. Soft Matter Phys.

• A. Alù and N. Engheta, “Achieving transparency with plasmonic and metamaterial coatings,” Phys. Rev. E Stat. Nonlin. Soft Matter Phys. 72(1), 016623 (2005). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Phys. Rev. Lett.

• J. B. Pendry, “Negative refraction makes a perfect lens,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 85(18), 3966–3969 (2000). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Science

• U. Leonhardt, “Optical conformal mapping,” Science 312(5781), 1777–1780 (2006). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• J. B. Pendry, D. Schurig, and D. R. Smith, “Controlling electromagnetic fields,” Science 312(5781), 1780–1782 (2006). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• M. C. K. Wiltshire, J. B. Pendry, I. R. Young, D. J. Larkman, D. J. Gilderdale, and J. V. Hajnal, “Microstructured magnetic materials for RF flux guides in magnetic resonance imaging,” Science 291(5505), 849–851 (2001). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• J. K. Gansel, M. Thiel, M. S. Rill, M. Decker, K. Bade, V. Saile, G. von Freymann, S. Linden, and M. Wegener, “Gold helix photonic metamaterial as broadband circular polarizer,” Science 325(5947), 1513–1515 (2009). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Other

• J. D. Kraus, and R. J. Marhefka, Antennas: For All Applications, 3rd ed. (McGraw-Hill, 2003).

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