DBR active optical filters incorporating negative refractive index metamaterials

Abstract

We analyzed active distributed Bragg reflectors (DBR) filters containing negative refractive index material and utilizing gain medium. We analyzed the possibility to utilize active gain materials with continuously tunable bandgap in order to compensate absorption losses and to offer new functionalities. To this purpose we consider the use of compound semiconductors as the active media which enable the designer to tailor their gain by modifying their composition and doping level. This allows for an optimized design of the NRM by giving an additional degree of freedom.