Inverse design of plasma metamaterial devices for optical computing

TL;DR

This paper uses inverse design methods to create two-dimensional plasma metamaterial devices capable of waveguiding, demultiplexing, and performing logical operations for optical computing, with designs feasible for experimental realization.

Contribution

The work introduces inverse design of plasma metamaterials for optical devices, demonstrating waveguides, demultiplexers, and logical gates in TM mode, advancing the potential for optical computing applications.

Findings

Successful design of waveguides and demultiplexers using plasma metamaterials.

Demonstration of logical AND and OR operations in TM mode.

Designs operate at plasma densities around 7 GHz, suitable for experimental realization.

Abstract

We apply inverse design methods to produce two-dimensional plasma metamaterial (PMM) devices. Backpropagated finite difference frequency domain (FDFD) simulations are used to design waveguides and demultiplexers operating under both transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) modes. Demultiplexing and waveguiding are demonstrated for devices composed of plasma elements with reasonable plasma densities ~7 GHz, allowing for future in-situ training and experimental realization of these designs. We also explore the possible applicability of PMMs to nonlinear boolean operations for use in optical computing. Functionally complete logical connectives (OR and AND) are achieved in the TM mode.