Transmission of electromagnetic waves through sub-wavelength channels

We propose a method of tunneling electromagnetic (EM) waves through a channel with sub-wavelength cross section. By filling the channel with high-epsilon isotropic material and implementing two matching layers with uniaxial metamterial substrates, the guided waves can go through the narrow channel without being cut off, as if it has just passed through the original empty waveguide. Both the magnitude and phase information of the EM fields can be effectively restored after passing this channel, regardless of the polarization of the incoming wave. The performance of this sub-wavelength channel, which is designed with coordinate transformation methodology, is studied theoretically and numerically. (C)2010 Optical Society of America