A novel directional coupler utilizing a left-handed material

A novel directional coupler with a left-handed material (LHM) layer between two single-mode waveguides of usual material is introduced. The coupling system is analyzed with the supermode theory. It is shown that such a LHM layer of finite length can shorten significantly the coupling length for the two single-mode waveguides. A LHM layer with two slowly tapered ends is used to avoid the reflection loss at the ends.