Analytic theory of optical nano-plasmonic metamaterials

TL;DR

This paper develops an analytical theory that adapts microwave metamaterials models to describe the optical properties of nano-plasmonic metamaterials, enabling accurate predictions of their dispersive behavior.

Contribution

It introduces a novel analytical approach to model optical nano-plasmonic metamaterials based on established microwave models.

Findings

Accurately predicts dispersive behavior of nano-scaled plasmonic wire-mesh metamaterials.

Extends microwave metamaterials models to optical and near-IR wavelengths.

Provides a practical analytical tool for designing optical metamaterials.

Abstract

Recent advances in nano-fabrication techniques allow for the manufacture of optical metamaterials, bringing their unique and extra-ordinary properties to the visible regime and beyond. However, an analytical description of optical nano-plasmonic metamaterials is challenging due to the characteristic optical behaviour of metals. Here we present an analytical theory that allows to bring established microwave metamaterials models to optical wavelengths. This method is implemented for nano-scaled plasmonic wire-mesh and tri-helical metamaterials, and we obtain an accurate prediction for their dispersive behaviour at optical and near-IR wavelengths.