Abstract
We suggest a new layered metallic micro-structure which exhibit pronounced polarization-sensitive properties. The transmittance and reflectance of the structures are strongly polarization-dependent, resembling the properties of chiral liquid crystals. They will show strong optical activity and circular dichroism for transmitted light, both rapidly increasing as the wavelength approaches the characteristic size in the structure. The structure consists of a number of small, 3-dimentional “fully-metallic molecules”. In the simplest case each “molecule” consists of a pair of spatially separated highly conductive (metallic) stripes. Each conductive stripe has thickness δ length d and width Δ where d > Δ. The strips are spaced by a flat layer of homogeneous dielectric, a is the spacing between the layers of the stripes and b is the mutual displacement of the centres of the strips in the plane of the layer. When observed in the direction perpendicular to the flat layer, the stripes appear to be partially overlapping, and are oriented at angle ϕ to one another (see Fig. 1). If an electromagnetic wave is incident on such a layered structore, it induces oscillating electric currents in the stripes. The stripes in the different layers are electromagnetically coupled and the induced currents are mutually dependant. Such coupling between the layers is crucially important if the “metallic molecule” is to show distinct polarization properties.
© 2001 Optical Society of America
PDF ArticleMore Like This
N. Kanda, K. Konishi, and M. Kuwata-Gonokami
CTuD1 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO:S&I) 2008
C R Bennett, M Babiker, and J B Kirk
QWA25 Quantum Electronics and Laser Science Conference (CLEO:FS) 2001
M. Thiel, M. Wegener, and G. von Freymann
CWO4 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO:S&I) 2008