Engineered surface waves in hyperbolic metamaterials

We analyzed surface-wave propagation that takes place at the boundary between a semi-infinite dielectric and a multilayered metamaterial, the latter with indefinite permittivity and cut normally to the layers. Known hyperbolization of the dispersion curve is discussed within distinct spectral regimes, including the role of the surrounding material. Hybridization of surface waves enable tighter confinement near the interface in comparison with pure-TM surface-plasmon polaritons. We demonstrate that the effective-medium approach deviates severely in practical implementations. By using the finite-element method, we predict the existence of long-range oblique surface waves.

This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness under the project TEC2011-29120-C05-01, by the Serbian Ministry of Education and Science under the project III 45016, and by the Qatar National Research Fund under the project NPRP 09-462-1-074. CJZR gratefully acknowledges a financial support from the Generalitat Valenciana (grant BEST/2012/060).