TE and TM guided modes in an air waveguide with negative-index-material cladding

Abstract

We numerically demonstrate that a planar waveguide in which the inner layer is a gas with refractive index n 0=l, sandwiched between two identical semi-infinite layers of a negative index material, can support both transverse electric and transverse magnetic guided modes with low losses. Recent developments in the design of metamaterials with an effective negative index suggest that this waveguide could operate in the infrared region of the spectrum. © 2005 The American Physical Society.