Embedding a plasmonic nanoantenna into a silicon waveguide gap: Simulations and experimental demonstration

A gold nanostrip acting as a plasmonic nanoantenna is embedded into a gap created in a silicon waveguide to ensure maximum interaction between the guided field and the nanoantenna. We study numerically this system and demonstrate experimentally at telecom wavelengths that contrast beyond 10 dB can be achieved in transmission, opening a route for the efficient use of nanoantennas in silicon photonics chips.