All-optical metamaterial switch based on Kerr effect with MWCNT composite

In this paper we analyze an all-optical metamateial switch based on the third order nonlinear optical properties of carbon nanotube (CNT) composite, using FEM numerical method. Because of its tunable nonlinear Kerr effect, the CNT composite is used as the nonlinear layer in metamaterial structures, for all-optical applications. The simulation results based on the calculated effective optical parameters of CNT composite, show a low threshold all-optical switch in the range of visible frequency.

► A nanostructure all-optical metamaterial switch based on CNT's composite has been proposed. ► Because of its tunable nonlinear Kerr effect, CNT composite is used as the nonlinear layer. ► Due to the simplicity of fabrication, we have used the MWCNT composite in our structure. ► For achieving a high degree of nonlinearity, the CNT–BaTiO3 composite has been used. ► The low threshold pump power for switching (10 MW/cm2), is the most important result of paper.