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 struc ture calculations. The effective long-wavelength dielectric response functi on is computed, as a function of the filling fraction. The dependence of th e optical absorption on the shape of the wires and the polarization of ligh t is discussed, and the effect of sharp corners analyzed. The effect of the interaction between the wires on the localization of surface plasmons is a lso addressed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.