Optical routers based on surface plasmons

摘要

An apparatus for performing optical routing includes a metal layer having first and second sides, a regular array of structures positioned along the first side, and an input optical waveguide positioned to illuminate a portion of the first side. The illuminated portion of the side is adjacent to ones of the structures. The apparatus also includes a plurality of output optical waveguides positioned to receive light radiated from portions of the metal layer not illuminated by the input optical waveguide.