Waveguides incorporating novel metamaterials and associated methods of manufacture

Abstract

A hollow-core waveguide structure for guiding an electromagnetic signal, comprising: a core material comprising a predetermined refractive index; and a cladding structure disposed about the core material, wherein the cladding structure has a refractive index that is less than unity; wherein the cladding structure comprises an Epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) metamaterial. The core material comprises air or the like. The cladding structure comprises one of substantially planar sheets disposed about the core material and a substantially tubular structure disposed about the core material. Optionally, the ENZ metamaterial comprises a plurality of nanostructures disposed in a host medium. The plurality of nanostructures comprise a transparent conducting oxide. Alternatively, the cladding structure is manufactured via a self-assembly method.