Coupling and Guided Propagation along Parallel Chains of Plasmonic Nanoparticles

Andrea Alu, Pavel A. Belov, Nader Engheta

Published 2010-08-30Version 1

Here, extending our previous work on this topic, we derive a dynamic closed-form dispersion relation for a rigorous analysis of guided wave propagation along coupled parallel linear arrays of plasmonic nanoparticles, operating as optical 'two-line' waveguides. Compared to linear arrays of nanoparticles, our results suggest that these waveguides may support longer propagation lengths and more confined beams, operating analogously to transmission-line segments at lower frequencies. Our formulation fully takes into account the whole dynamic interaction among the infinite number of nanoparticles composing the parallel arrays, considering also realistic presence of losses and the frequency dispersion of the involved plasmonic materials, providing further physical insights into the guidance properties that characterize this geometry.