Multiple surface-plasmon-polariton waves guided jointly by a metal and a hyperbolic, dielectric, structurally chiral material

TL;DR

This paper investigates how a metal and a hyperbolic, dielectric, structurally chiral material interface can support multiple surface-plasmon-polariton waves with distinct propagation characteristics, depending on frequency and direction.

Contribution

It reveals the conditions under which multiple SPP waves can exist at such an interface and characterizes their differing physical properties.

Findings

Multiple SPP waves can be supported at the interface.

Supported SPP waves differ in phase speed and localization.

Existence depends on frequency and propagation direction.

Abstract

The planar interface of a metal and a hyperbolic, dielectric, structurally chiral material can support the propagation of none, one, or multiple surface-plasmon-polariton (SPP) waves, at a specified frequency and along a specified direction in the interface plane. When multiple SPP waves can exist, they differ in phase speed, propagation length, degree of localization to the interface, and spatial profiles of the associated electromagnetic fields.