Optimization of an optical wireless nanolink using directive nanoantennas

Optical connects will become a key point in the next generation of integrated circuits, namely the upcoming nanoscale optical chips. In this context, nano-optical wireless links using nanoantennas have been presented as a promising alternative to regular plasmonic waveguide links, whose main limitation is the range propagation due to the metal absorption losses. In this paper we present the complete design of a high-capability wireless nanolink using matched directive nanoantennas. It will be shown how the use of directive nanoantennas clearly enhances the capability of the link, improving its behavior with respect to non-directive nanoantennas and largely outperforming regular plasmonic waveguide connects. (C) 2013 Optical Society of America