title: Tunneling of electromagnetic energy through subwavelength channels and bends using epsilon-near-zero materials.
abstract: In this Letter, we demonstrate theoretically that electromagnetic waves can be "squeezed" and tunneled through very narrow channels filled with epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) materials. We show that the incoming planar wave front is replicated at the output interface, independently of the specific geometry of the channel. A closed analytical formula is derived for the scattering parameters of a particular class of geometries. It is discussed that in some cases the isotropy of the ENZ material may not be an issue. A metamaterial realization of an anisotropic ENZ material is suggested and numerically studied.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical and Systems Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Mário
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Silveirinha
authors.forename: Nader
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Engheta