Multiple scattering of plasmons at rough surfaces

We investigated the polarization and angle dependence of the scattered light intensity of surface plasma oscillations (SPO) propagating along rough silver surfaces. The rough silver films were prepared using the methods of pre-evaporating CaF₂ and silver on heated substrates. The scattered light intensity of both systems is explained by surface scattering effects. Differences of the light intensities between the rough silver films prepared by the two methods mainly were observed in “restlight intensities”, which cannot be described by first-order scattering theories. We explain these differences by higher order scattering effects.