Effective medium approximation of anisotropic lamellar nanogratings based on Fourier factorization

Abstract

Anisotropic lamellar sub-wavelength gratings (nanogratings) are described by Effective Medium Approximation (EMA). Analytical formulas for effective medium optical parameters of nanogratings from arbitrary anisotropic materials are derived using approximation of zero-order diffraction mode. The method is based on Rigorous Coupled Wave Analysis (RCWA) combined with proper Fourier factorization method. Good agreement between EMA and the rigorous model is observed, where slight differences are explained by the influence of evanescent higher Fourier harmonics in the nanograting.