Efficient directional coupling from multilayer-graphene-based long-range SPP waveguide to metal-based hybrid SPP waveguide in mid-infrared range

Graphene-based and metal-based surface plasmon polariton (SPP) waveguides have attracted intense research interest because they can be used as basic components to propagate electromagnetic (EM) waves in future optical integrated systems. We propose a directional coupler, which can couple EM energy from a multilayer-graphene-based cylindrical long-range SPP waveguide to a metal-based cylindrical hybrid SPP waveguide in the mid-infrared range. This coupler exhibits relatively low coupling length, high coupling efficiency, low insertion loss, and high extinction ratio after adjustment of the wave vector mismatch of the two waveguides. Moreover, this coupler is tolerant to practical fabrication errors like misalignment of graphene layres, and can effectively work in the range of Fermi energy E-f > 0.6 eV when the mobility of graphene varies from 10000 to 800 cm(2)/Vs. Hence, the coupler offers potential applications in signal routing and information exchange between graphene-based and metal-based SPP waveguides in photonic integrated circuits. (C) 2018 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement