FDTD analysis of nano-antenna structures with dispersive materials at optical frequencies

Abstract

The Finite-Difference Time Domain method has encountered several difficulties when analyzing dispersive materials. This is the case of the metal structures that configure an optical antenna. These devices couple the electromagnetic radiation to conform currents that are rectified by another physical element attached to the antenna. Both elements: antenna and rectifier configures an optical detector with sub-wavelength dimensions. In this contribution we analyze the effect on the currents induced by the incident electromagnetic field using FDTD and taking into account the dispersive character of metal at optical frequencies. The analysis is done in a 2 dimensional framework and it serves as an analytical tool for the election of material and structures in the fabrication of optical antennas.