Finite Element Solutions of Surface-Plasmon Modes in Metal-Clad Dielectric Waveguides at THz Frequency

Finite element analysis, based on the vector H-field formulation and incorporating the perturbation technique, is used to calculate the complex propagation characteristics of metal-coated dielectric waveguides at terahertz frequencies. The propagation and attenuation characteristics of surface-plasmon modes (SPMs) at the metal/dielectric interfaces are presented. The effects on the modal properties of metal-clad dielectric guides with the cladding thickness and the formation of the supermodes due to coupling between the SPMs in the presence of different surrounding materials are also investigated