title: Plasmon mode transformation in modulated-index metal-dielectric slot waveguides.
abstract: The concept of adiabatic mode transformation between silicon waveguide and surface plasmon-polariton modes in subwavelength metal-dielectric slots is investigated. The mode transformer consists of a modulated-index slot region, which is bound by two metal slabs. Using the design scheme, we will show that the optical dispersion of a modulated-index metal slot waveguide can be engineered well above the silicon light-line on a large wavelength region, allowing direct phase-matching between surface plasmon polaritons and traditional waveguide modes. Based on full-field, finite difference simulations, we demonstrate that reversible mode conversion can be achieved within submicrometer length scales.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Boston University, MA 02215-2421, USA. fengn@bu.edu
authors.forename: Ning-Ning
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dal Negro