Plasmons in multicomponent superlattices

Abstract

The dispersion relation for surface and bulk plasmons in a two-component optical semiconductor superlattice (2COSSL) arranged in periodic fashion is derived in the non-retardation limit using the one-dimensional transfer matrix method. Detailed calculations are presented for a [(GaAS/Al0.3Ga 0.7AS)/glass] geometry, treating one of the alternating layers as frequency dependent and the other as frequency independent, and for a [(GaSb/InAS)/SiO2] geometry, treating both the layers as frequency dependent. An extension of this theory has been carried out in a three-component optical semiconductor superlattice (3COSSL). Spectral properties of bulk plasmons are demonstrated for the 3COSSL in symmetrical (air/GaSb/air) and unsymmetrical (air/GaSb/SiO2) geometries. It is indicated that a three-component periodic multilayered system is a better option for designing optical devices such as optical filters, filter-polarizers, monochromators and etlons.