Investigation of light coupling between HMIM and HIMI plasmonic waveguides

Abstract

This is the first report on the efficient coupling of light between two chief hybrid plasmonic waveguides, the HMIM and HIMI having complementary structures. The study may be useful in the design and development of hybrid plasmonic integrated circuits for various applications in which coupling light from one plasmonic waveguide to another may be indispensable. The proposed coupler consists of a flared section of HMIM waveguide with linear taper coinciding with the cross section of HIMI waveguide. It offers a good transmission of more than 95% in the wavelength range 1500–1575 nm. The entire structure occupies a footprint area of $$2.4 \times 1\,\, \upmu \mathrm{m}^2$$ and it is CMOS compatible for on-chip applications.