Interface modes of two-dimensional composite structures

The surface modes of a composite consisting of aligned metallic wires with square cross-sections are investigated, on the basis of photonic band structure calculations. The effective long-wavelength dielectric response function is computed, as a function of the filling fraction. The dependence of the optical absorption on the shape of the wires and the polarization of light is discussed, and the effect of sharp corners analyzed. The effect of the interaction between the wires on the localization of surface plasmons is also addressed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.