All-optical modulator with long range surface plasmon resonance

An all-optical modulator based on long range surface plasmon resonance with respect to Kerr effect induced refractive index changes is proposed and numerically investigated. The photosensitivity of the Kerr-polymer induces the variation of refractive index under illumination of pump light with different intensity. Long range surface plasmon resonance excited by an attenuated total internal reflection structure is utilized in the design for its high sensitivity to refractive index. For the structure with optimal parameters, the modulator is able to vary the reflectance from 0.04 to 0.74 by applying a pump light as low as 0.44 GW/cm2.

► All-optical modulator with long range surface plasmon resonance is proposed.
► Kerr effect is combined with long range surface plasmon resonance.
► A reflectance from 0.04 to 0.74 is achieved with a pump light of 0.44 GW/cm2.