Absorption effects on plasmon polaritons in quasiperiodic photonic superlattices containinga metamaterial

Abstract

Absorption effects on plasmon–polariton excitations in quasiperiodic (Fibonacci andThue–Morse) one-dimensional stacks composed of layers of right- and left-handed materialsare theoretically investigated. A Drude-type dispersive response for both the dielectricpermittivity and magnetic permeability of the left-handed layer is considered. Maxwell’sequations are solved for oblique incidence by using the transfer matrix formalism,and the reflection coefficient as a function of the frequency and incidence angleis obtained. The Fibonacci (or Thue–Morse) quasiperiodic structure leads to aCantor-like photonic spectra for the plasmon–polariton modes. Moreover, results for thephotonic band structure, density of states and reflection coefficient indicate thatplasmon–polariton modes are robust in the presence of low and moderate levels ofabsorption.