Transit times for electromagnetic waves in metallic layered systems

Abstract

Metallic multilayered arrays are considered, in the local Drude theory, to investigate transit times of electromagnetic waves and the fast response mediated by plasmon polaritons. The transit times are calculated for frequencies corresponding to band gaps in the dispersion relation of periodic layered media. At these frequencies, and depending on the thickness of the structure, a fast response or even a superluminal effect is predicted. This effect is more evident near the plasmon polariton resonances. Moreover, the time delay is also affected by the surface plasmon coupling between the metallic layers. The metallic superlattices are described according to the Drude theory. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.