Loss analysis of bends and splitters in subwavelength plasmonic waveguides

In this paper we investigate sharp bends and splitters (with both symmetric and asymmetric output ports) in silver-air-silver subwavelength plasmonic waveguides using finite-element method (FEM). Our results show that very low-loss sharp bends and symmetrical splitters can be designed in plasmonic structures at NIR wavelengths. Simulation results also indicate that low loss and equal power splitting ratios are achievable for a 1x2 splitter with asymmetrical output ports at NIR wavelengths. The unique loss performance of sharp bends and splitters in plasmonic nanostructures at NIR wavelength can lead to higher integration density of plasmonic components and has tremendous application potential in optical interconnections.