0000000000286236
AUTHOR
Thomas W. Ebbesen
Refractive micro-optical elements for surface plasmons: from classical to gradient index optics.
Controlling the propagation of surface plasmons along a metal-dielectric interface is a key feature for the development of surface plasmon based circuits. We have designed various two-dimensional refractive dielectric optical elements for surface plasmons (SP) and characterized their capacity to route SP, using near- or far-field techniques. We first present basic devices analogous to usual optical components and the associated challenges for SP optics. We then use a metamaterial approach to locally vary the refractive index and fabricate gradient index structures for SP circuitry.
Optimization of surface plasmons launching from subwavelength hole arrays: modelling and experiments
International audience; The launching of surface plasmons by micro-gratings of subwavelength apertures milled in a thick metal film is important for the development of surface plasmon based circuits. By comparing the near-field optical images of such surface plasmon sources with the results of a Huygens-Fresnel principle based scattering model, we show that the properties of the locally launched SP beams such as divergence or uniformity can be tuned by adjusting the shape of the micro-gratings. This allows us to propose an optimized source array well adapted for providing a narrow, collimated and uniform beam. (c) 2007 Optical Society of America.
Design, near-field characterization, and modeling of 45 circle surface-plasmon Bragg mirrors
The development of surface plasmon polariton (SPP) optical elements is mandatory in order to achieve surface plasmon based photonics. A current approach to reach this goal is to take advantage of the interaction of SPP with defects and design elements obtained by the micro- or nano-structuration of the metal film. In this work, we have performed a detailed study of the performance and behavior of SPP-Bragg mirrors, designed for 45\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} incidence, based on this approach. Mirrors consisting of gratings of both metal ridges on the metal surface and grooves engraved in the metal, fabricated by means of electron beam lithography and focused ion beam, have been consi…
Efficient unidirectional nanoslit couplers for surface plasmons
5 pages, 4 figures.
Near-field characterization of Bragg mirrors engraved in surface plasmon waveguides
International audience; Surface plasmon waveguides (SPW's) are metal ridges featuring widths in the micrometer range and thicknesses of a few tens of nanometers. A focused ion beam has been used to carve microscatterers into gold SPW's and the near-field distributions around these microstructures are observed by means of photon scanning tunneling microscopy (PSTM). On the basis of near-field images, we show that a finite length periodic arrangement of narrow slits can reflect a surface plasmon mode propagating along a SPW. The reflection efficiency of the micrograting is found to depend upon the number of slits, the period of the grating, and the incident wavelength. The optimum reflection …
Surface plasmon subwavelength optics.
International audience; Surface plasmons are waves that propagate along the surface of a conductor. By altering the structure of a metal's surface, the properties of surface plasmons- in particular their interaction with light-can be tailored, which offers the potential for developing new types of photonic device. This could lead to miniaturized photonic circuits with length scales that are much smaller than those currently achieved. Surface plasmons are being explored for their potential in subwavelength optics, data storage, light generation, microscopy and bio-photonics.
Modulation of surface plasmon coupling-in by one-dimensional surface corrugation
Surface plasmon-polaritons have recently attracted renewed interest in the scientific community for their potential in sub-wavelength optics, light generation and non-destructive sensing. Given that they cannot be directly excited by freely propagating light due to their intrinsical binding to the metal surface, the light-plasmon coupling efficiency becomes of crucial importance for the success of any plasmonic device. Here we present a comprehensive study on the modulation (enhancement or suppression) of such coupling efficiency by means of one-dimensional surface corrugation. Our approach is based on simple wave interference and enables us to make quantitative predictions which have been …