Abstract
We theoretically investigate the comparative study of coupling characteristics of lateral directional couplers and vertical directional couplers utilizing long-range surface plasmon polaritons (LRSPPs). In particular, the effect of metal stripe thickness, width, the separation between the stripes, and the wavelength of operation, on the characteristics of both types of coupler has been studied in detail. An optimum value of the metal stripe thickness has been observed to obtain the minimum coupling length in both cases. The study should be helpful in designing an efficient directional coupler utilizing LRSPPs.
© 2010 Optical Society of America
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