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arXiv · 1105.3341

Theory of fishnet negative-index optical metamaterials

J. Yang·C. Sauvan·H. T. Liu·P. Lalanne
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Abstract

We theoretically study fishnet metamaterials at optical frequencies. In contrast to earlier works, we provide a microscopic description by tracking the transversal and longitudinal flows of energy through the fishnet mesh composed of intersecting subwavelength plasmonic waveguides. The analysis is supported by a semi-analytical model based on surface-plasmon coupled-mode equations, which provides accurate formulas for the fishnet refractive index, including the real-negative and imaginary parts. The model simply explains how the surface plasmons couple at the waveguide intersections and it shines new light on the fishnet negative-index paradigm at optical frequencies. Extension of the theory for loss-compensated metamaterials with gain media is also presented.

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J. Yang, C. Sauvan, H. T. Liu, P. Lalanne. 2011-05-17. Theory of fishnet negative-index optical metamaterials. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.107.043903

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