Gap soliton transparency switching in one-dimensional Kerr-metamaterial superlattices

Plasmon-polariton gap soliton formation and transparency switching in one-dimensional nonlinear layered systems composed of alternate layers of a Kerr material and a dispersive linear metamaterial are theoretically studied. The behavior of the electric field profile inside the layered system is shown for different values of nonlinear power, linking the localized modes of the electric field with complete transparency states of the system. A detailed investigation on the influence of a defocusing nonlinearity on the transmission switching phenomenon, in the frequency range where the linear dispersion predicts the photon-plasmon coupling, is made, revealing different effects in the top and bottom edges of the plasmon-polariton gap. Specifically, we found a broadening of the plasmon-polariton gap when increasing the nonlinear power. In addition, a switching from very low to high transmission states is obtained and localized plasmon-polariton gap solitons of various orders are found for various values of frequencies and nonlinear strength.