Analytical single-mode model for subwavelength metallic Bragg waveguides

Abstract

We develop a theoretical formalism that incorporates the method of moment with the analytical eigenmode expansion to investigate the dispersion relation of light transport in subwavelength metallic Bragg waveguide (WG) with each unit cell composed of a wide and a narrow segment of metallic gap. The approach fully accounts for the light scattering at the interface between two consecutive discontinuous segments. A simple single-mode analytical model is derived for both the fundamental even and odd guided modes. The model shows that the band structure of light transport in the structure resembles that of an ordinary dielectric one-dimensional photonic crystal with appropriate physical and geometric parameters that can be analytically derived. Numerical simulations by the finite-difference time-domain method on the optical transmission spectra and band diagrams for these metallic Bragg WGs agree well with the analytical results of band diagrams. In addition, the analytical model can handle structures working in both the microwave and infrared regimes. This indicates that the simple analytical model is effective and efficient in handling various light transport problems for subwavelength metallic Bragg WGs.