Power Splitting of Plasmonic Directional Couplers with Nano-scale Three Channels

Abstract

Directional couplers based on plasmonic waveguides with nano-scale three channels are designed by utilizing mode coupling effect as well as rib-guiding structure. Longitudinal modal transmission-line theory(L-MTLT) is used for simulating the light propagation and optimizing the design parameters. The designed plasmonic coupler operating as power splitter has nano-scale size of about 200~250 nm width. In order to achieve the desired power splitting ratio, the refractive index of guiding modes is evaluated along the width variation of center channel. Finally, a power splitter based on triple rib directional coupler, which ensures maximum power transfer from one outermost guide to the other outermost guide, is designed.