Dependence on surface profile in grating-assisted coupling of light to surface plasmon-polaritons

Grating coupling of light to surface plasmon-polaritons (SPPs) supported by a thin metal film depends on the detailed geometry of the grating used to couple the incident light to the SPP modes. Here we show experimental and theoretical evidence that, in the case of square gratings having the same pitch and depth, the maximum coupling of light to the SPPs is achieved when the ratio between the groove width and the pitch of the grating is equal to 1/2. A straightforward explanation involving a Fourier analysis of the different grating profiles is given and compared with the experimental results.