Abstract

We demonstrate the fabrication of a simple metamaterial diffraction grating device that both amplifies and converts evanescent waves into propagating ones. This is the most accessible example of such phenomena reported until now, as it requires few thin film layers, operates in the visible, and can be probed with simple optics. The metamaterial exhibits amplification of evanescent waves generated from total internal reflection. The device was fabricated over 1 cm² using pulsed laser deposition and a pattern replication technique.

© 2010 Optical Society of America