Splitting the surface wave in metal/dielectric nanostructures

We investigate a modified surface wave splitter with a double-layer structure, which consists of symmetrical metallic grating and an asymmetrical dielectric, using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulation method. The metal/dielectric interface structure at this two-side aperture can support bound waves of different wavelengths, thus guiding waves in opposite directions. The covered dielectric films play an important role in the enhancement and confinement of the diffraction wave by the waveguide modes. The simulation result shows that the optical intensities of the guided surface wave at wavelengths of 760-nm and 1000-nm are about 100 times and 4∼5 times those of the weaker side, respectively, which means that the surface wave is split by the proposed device. (condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties)