Nonlinear coupling in plasmonic structures

Abstract

Nonlinear modes and switching characteristics of plasmonic directional couplers are studied. The structures are created by two neighbouring metal-dielectric-metal waveguides with the slots filled in a nonlinear dielectric material. The different nonlinear modes are calculated, and the FDTD numerical simulations are carried out to study the power transfer in such plasmonic couplers and evaluate the effect of optical losses on the coupler switching characteristics.