title: Implementation of PT symmetric devices using plasmonics: principle and applications.
abstract: The so-called PT symmetric devices, which feature ε((-x)) = ε((x))* associated with parity-time symmetry, incorporate both gain and loss and can present a singular eigenvalue behaviour around a critical transition point. The scheme, typically based on co-directional coupled waveguides, is here transposed to the case of variable gain on one arm with fixed losses on the other arm. In this configuration, the scheme exploits the full potential of plasmonics by making a beneficial use of their losses to attain a critical regime that makes switching possible with much lowered gain excursions. Practical implementations are discussed based on existing attempts to elaborate coupled waveguide in plasmonics, and based also on the recently proposed hybrid plasmonics waveguide structure with a small low-index gap, the PIROW (Plasmonic Inverse-Rib Optical Waveguide).
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire Charles Fabry de l'Institut d'Optique, CNRS, Univ. Paris-Sud, Campus Polytechnique, Palaiseau, France. henri.benisty@institutoptique.fr
authors.forename: Henri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Benisty
authors.forename: Aloyse
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Degiron
authors.forename: Anatole
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lupu
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Lustrac
authors.forename: Sébastien
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chénais
authors.forename: Sébastien
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Forget
authors.forename: Mondher
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Besbes
authors.forename: Grégory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Barbillon
authors.forename: Aurélien
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bruyant
authors.forename: Sylvain
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Blaize
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lérondel