Low Loss Volume Modes in a Lamellar Hyperbolic Metamaterial Slab

We have studied, both theoretically and experimentally, the excitation of volume modes in a lamellar metal/dielectric metamaterial with hyperbolic dispersion. The highly efficient light penetration through tens of metamaterial layers is consistent with a relatively low propagation loss. The volume modes were found to be highly sensitive to the surface roughness of the layers, which can be a detrimental factor in device applications. (C) 2020 Optical Society of America