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Nonlinear directional coupling between plasmonic slot waveguides

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Abstract

A numerical investigation of nonlinear switching in plasmonic directional couplers made of two dielectric slab waveguides with metallic claddings is presented. We assume Kerr-nonlinear dielectric and study the influence of geometrical parameters, metallic losses, and metal nonlinearities on coupler characteristics. We observe a general trade-off between losses and nonlinearity levels required for the switching operation. Underlying physical mechanisms that affect the coupler performance are discussed. The obtained results can be useful in design and optimization of the nonlinear plasmonic couplers.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by The Grant Agency of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (project IAA101730801) and by the Czech Science Foundation (project P205/10/0046). The author acknowledges Jiří Čtyroký for useful discussions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Physical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Brno University of Technology, Technická 2, 616 69, Brno, Czech Republic

    Jiří Petráček

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  1. Jiří Petráček
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Correspondence to Jiří Petráček.

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Petráček, J. Nonlinear directional coupling between plasmonic slot waveguides. Appl. Phys. B 112, 593–598 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-013-5443-0

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