# Two-dimensional plasmonic waveguides for nanolasing and four-wave mixing

## TL;DR

This paper explores the design of two-dimensional plasmonic waveguides tailored for specific applications like nanolasers and four-wave mixing, emphasizing the importance of application-guided design for optimal performance.

## Contribution

It introduces application-specific design principles for plasmonic waveguides, highlighting hybrid structures for FWM and wedge structures for nanolasers, with insights on buffer layer choices.

## Key findings

- Hybrid plasmonic waveguides are optimal for four-wave mixing.
- Metallic wedges are preferred for nanolasing.
- High-index buffer layers improve nanolaser performance.

## Abstract

Plasmonic waveguides are an essential element of nanoscale coherent sources, including nanolasers and four-wave mixing (FWM) devices. Here we report how the design of the plasmonic waveguide needs to be guided by the ultimate application. This contrasts with traditional approaches in which the waveguide is considered in isolation. We find that hybrid plasmonic waveguides, with a nonlinear material sandwiched between the metal substrate and a high-index layer, are best suited for FWM applications, whereas metallic wedges are preferred in nanolasers. We also find that in plasmonic nanolasers high-index buffer layers perform better than more traditional low-index buffers.