Metamaterials for optical coatings

Metamaterials, and complex materials having plasmonic properties in general, interact with external electromagnetic radiation in a particular way compared to traditional solid thin films. The reason lays in the physics of such artificial media. Such peculiarity of metamaterials defines the choice of suitable measurement techniques used for their characterization as well as adequate methodology for measurement data interpretation, specific for the case. Here we overview main issues on the physical properties of complex plasmonic materials and methods for their modelling. The approach to modeling of their optical parameters is considered as well. The emphasis on the optical thin film applications is made.