DESIGN OPTIMIZATION AND MODELING OF PLASMONIC STRUCTURES

Abstract

<p>In this thesis, we discuss the study and realization of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) and their devices. Plasmonics is the emerging field that will help technologies advance further into the nano-scale without the concern for delays or size limitations. SPPs are a more advanced field of photonics as they use metals instead of the semiconductors or insulators used in optics. They operate at frequencies in the light and near infrared spectrum, as this range produces their unique characteristics. Plasmonics possess the miniaturization of electronics and the speed of photonics. They do not suffer from both the delays in nano-electronics, and the size limitations faced in optics. In this thesis, we present the optimization of plasmonic slit arrays by designing the parabolic phase profile of the array. Moreover, we present a novel multilevel plasmonic coupler that will aid in the realization of 3-D plasmonic chips, as well as quadrature modulation. The theory, procedures, and results are all presented and discussed.</p>