Abstract
Owing to the unique properties of strongly confined and enhanced electric fields, surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) provide a new platform for the realization of ultracompact plasmonic circuits. However, there are challenges in coupling light into SPPs efficiently and subsequently routing SPPs. Here, we propose a multi-directional SPP splitter and polarization analyzer based on the catenary metasurface. Based on the abundant electromagnetic modes and geometric phase modulation principle of catenary structure, the device has realized high-efficiency beam splitting for four different polarization states (x-polarization, y-polarization, LCP, and RCP). The central wavelength of the device is 632 nm and the operation bandwidth can reach 70 nm (585–655 nm). Based on the phenomenon of SPP beam splitting, we present a prototype of a polarization analyzer, which can detect the polarization state of incident light by adding photodetector with light intensity logic threshold in four directions. Moreover, by combining this device with dynamic polarization modulation techniques, it is possible to be served as a router or switch in integrated photonic circuits.
Highlights
Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) [1, 2] with remarkable capabilities of subwavelength field confinement and strong field enhancement have provided an efficient route to realize on-chip optical devices such as surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) splitter, directional coupler and ultrasensitive sensor [3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11]
We propose a multi-directional SPPs splitter and polarization analyzer based on the catenary metasurface, which can modulate SPPs directions by changing the incident polarization state
When the catenary metasurface is illuminated by left-handed circularly polarized (LCP) (RCP), as shown in Figure 3c(3d), the coupling efficiency propagating along the +X and +Y(-Y) directions is more than 10% from 570-685 nm, while the coupling efficiency of SPPs propagating in the -X and -Y(+Y) directions is low
Summary
Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) [1, 2] with remarkable capabilities of subwavelength field confinement and strong field enhancement have provided an efficient route to realize on-chip optical devices such as SPPs splitter, directional coupler and ultrasensitive sensor [3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11]. In order to excite SPPs with different directions under different polarized lights, Lin et al proposed multiple parallel column nanostructure pairs [18], which realized the SPPs beam splitting under the incidence of left-handed circularly polarized (LCP) and right-handed circularly polarized (RCP). Complex SPPs response can be achieved by using the unit catenary aperture, considering the remarkable ability of metasurface in light manipulation [34,35,36,37], the SPPs with different directions under different incident light polarization states can be realized by designing a reasonable metasurface. We propose a multi-directional SPPs splitter and polarization analyzer based on the catenary metasurface, which can modulate SPPs directions by changing the incident polarization state This device has the performance of multidirectional splitter and polarization analyzer simultaneously. The results show the potential of the catenary metasurface in subwavelength optical devices and integrated optical circuits
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
