Inverse design of plasma metamaterial devices for optical computing

Abstract

We apply inverse design methods to produce two-dimensional plasma metamaterial (PMM) devices. Backpropagated finite difference frequency domain (FDFD) simulations are used to design waveguides and demultiplexers operating under both transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) modes. Multiplexing and waveguiding are demonstrated for devices composed of plasma elements with reasonable plasma densities ∼ 7 GHz, allowing for future in-situ training and experimental realization of these designs. We also explore the possible applicability of PMMs to nonlinear boolean operations for use in optical computing. Functionally complete logical connectives (NOR and NAND) are achieved in the TM mode.