Propagating surface plasmon polaritons for remote excitation surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy

To illustrate the attractive potentials of remote-excitation surface enhanced Raman scattering (RE-SERS), we review the fundamental concepts and typical applications of propagating surface plasmon polaritons (PSPPs). Based on the RE-SERS technic, the adsorbed molecules are protected from being directly illuminated, while the merits of SERS still remained. However, the critical limitations of applying RE-SERS hinder its rapid development. Hence, drawing an overview about the PSPPs would be beneficial for further promoting the significance of RE-SERS in biological application and investigating the mechanism of surface catalytic reactions.     

Low-loss Airy surface plasmon polaritons

We propose a scheme to obtain a low-loss propagation of Airy surface plasmon polaritons(SPPs) along the interface between a dielectric and a negative-index metamaterial(NIMM). We show that by using the transverse-magnetic mode and the related destructive interference effect between electric and magnetic absorption responses, the propagation loss of the Airy SPPs can be largely suppressed when the optical frequency is close to the lossless point of the NIMM. As a result, the Airy SPPs obtained in our scheme can propagate more than a 6times longer distance than that in conventional dielectric–metal interfaces.     

Nonlinear s-polarized surface plasmon polaritons

We have examined the dispersion relations for s-polarized surface plasmon polaritons, guided by (a) the interface between a semi-infinite metal and dielectric medium, and (b) a metal film bounded by semi-infinite dielectric media for situations in which one or more of the dielectric media are characterized by an intensity-dependent refractive index. We found that s-polarized waves satisfy the dispersion relations for very thin metal films bounded by nonlinear dielectric media. These waves exist only for power levels above a threshold that depends on the material parameters. We also comment on the experimental feasibility of observing these waves.     

Enhancement of scattering of surface plasmon polaritons by surface defects: Technique and results

The intensities of scattering of surface plasmon polaritons by regular surface structures significantly exceed (by several orders of magnitude) the intensities of scattering of evanescent surface waves from these structures. When plasmon polaritons are scattered by diffraction grating grooves a few micrometers wide, the scattering from the trailing edge of a grating groove greatly exceeds the scattering level from the groove leading edge. Some of our original developments are presented that make it possible to put into effect an inexpensive software-hardware optical complex with a wide dynamic range, high sensitivity, and digital lock-in detection based on the use of a computer sound card.     

表面等离子体激元的若干新应用

表面等离子体激元（SPPs）是在金属和介质界面传播的一种波动模式。本文首先叙述了SPPs的相关特性和激发方式,给出了一种基于表面等离子体激元共振（SPR）场增强原理产生相干极紫外辐射的方法,利用该方法可极大地提高光源的光子流量。分析了SPPs在生物及医疗领域的新应用,并对其在治疗癌症方面的技术原理进行了讨论。介绍了SPPs在新型光源和能源领域的发展和应用情况,综述了SPPs在太阳能电池、光子芯片以及集成电路方面的新工艺和新技术,包括最近几年来所取得的一些重要成果。最后讨论了SPPs在光存储方面的快速发展和巨大贡献。     

Normal-incidence scattering of surface plasmon polaritons by one-dimensional nanoindentations: a multimodal description

In this paper a theoretical study is made on the scattering of surface plasmon polaritons by a finite periodic array of one-dimensional rectangular grooves. Our approach is based on a multimodal expansion technique. We have found that the geometrical parameters of the array can be properly tuned to achieve optimal performance of the structure either as a Bragg reflector or as a converter of surface plasmon polaritons into light. Most importantly, such functionalities can be fully achieved with a relatively small number of grooves. PACS  73.20.Mf; 78.67.-n; 41.20.Jb     

Graded-index ridge surface plasmon polaritons waveguide

We propose and analyze a long-range dielectric-loaded surface plasmon polariton （SPP） waveguide based on graded-index ridge over server millimeter distances. Then the influence of the dielectric thickness and the ridge refractive index on propagation length and mode width is discussed and simulated with the finite ele- ment raethod. The result shows that the SPP can propagate as long as 3.42 mm, as well as the mode width keeping as 1.64μm, a better one compared with the fixed refractive index. Considering its nanoscale dimension and outstanding performance, the structure is easily realized when connected with electrodes.     

Numerical investigation of the enhanced unidirectional surface plasmon polaritons generator~Numerical investigation of the enhanced unidirectional surface plasmon polaritons generator~Numerical investigation of the enhanced unidirectional surface plasmon polaritons generator

A unidirectional surface plasmon polaritons （SPPs） generator with greatly enhanced generation efficiency is proposed. The SPPs generator consists of an asymmetric single nanoslit coated with a polyviny alcohol （PVA） film and a silver rectangle block. The generation efficiency of this SPPs generator is investigated using the finite difference time domain method. Due to the presence of the silver rectangle block, the SPPs generation efficiency of the asymmetric single nanoslit with PVA film can be greatly enhanced and the corresponding wavelength with the maximum enhancement factor can be tuned flexibly. The influence of the structural parameters on the generation efficiency is also investigated for the enhanced unidirectional SPPs generator.     

Direct imaging of localized surface plasmon polaritons

In this Letter, we report on dark field imaging of localized surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) in plasmonic waveguiding bands formed by plasmonic coupled cavities. We image the light scattered from SPPs in the plasmonic cavities excited by a tunable light source. Tuning the excitation wavelength, we measure the localization and dispersion of the plasmonic cavity mode. Dark field imaging has been achieved in the Kretschmann configuration using a supercontinuum white-light laser equipped with an acoustooptic tunable filter. Polarization dependent spectroscopic reflection and dark field imaging measurements are correlated and found to be in agreement with finite-difference time-domain calculations.     

Nonlinear resonance-enhanced excitation of surface plasmon polaritons

We theoretically investigate nonlinear resonance-enhanced excitation of surface plasmon polaritons in a metal coated by a one-dimensional photonic crystal. Tunneling modes above the air-light line can be directly excited in this structure. Then, with suitable parameters, photon energy and momentum conservation between the tunneling mode and the surface plasmon polaritons can be realized by means of nonlinear four-wave mixing. Compared with the nonlinear excitation of surface plasmon polaritons in a bulk metal [Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 266802 (2009)], the conversion efficiency in our structure is noticeably enhanced.     

电子激励表面等离极化激元的粒子模拟

采用极化电流微分方程,对贵金属中自由电子与外电场的共振过程进行描述。将该微分方程与麦克斯韦方程相结合,运用时域有限差分(FDTD)方法,在粒子PIC模拟软件CHIPIC3D的基础上,实现了电子激励表面等离极化激元(SPPs)的模拟。通过对100 keV电子平行于银薄膜表面运动、激励起表面等离极化激元的模拟,观测并分析了SPPs的场强及模式在银薄膜表面的分布,并验证了模拟结果的正确性。     

Chiral surface plasmon polaritons on metallic nanowires

Chiral surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) can be generated by linearly polarized light incident at the end of a nanowire, exciting a coherent superposition of three specific nanowire waveguide modes. Images of chiral SPPs on individual nanowires obtained from quantum dot fluorescence excited by the SPP evanescent field reveal the chirality predicted in our theoretical model. The handedness and spatial extent of the helical periods of the chiral SPPs depend on the input polarization angle and nanowire diameter as well as the dielectric environment. Chirality is preserved in the free-space output wave, making a metallic nanowire a broad bandwidth subwavelength source of circular polarized photons.     

Applicability conditions for the dipole approximation in the problems of scattering of surface plasmon polaritons

Using the method of the tensor Green’s function of the wave equation, the conditions have been determined under which the dipole approximation is sufficient in the problem of the scattering of surface optical electromagnetic waves (surface plasmon polaritons) on a small spherical particle. The independence of the electric field inside the scatterer of the spatial coordinates is used as the main requirement of the dipole approximation. Conditions are obtained in the form of inequalities involving the wavenumber, the material parameters of the system, and the size of the scatterer and its position with respect to the surface on which plasmon polaritons are excited.     

Propagation of surface plasmon polaritons on semiconductor gratings

We present time-domain measurements of terahertz surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) propagating on gratings structured on silicon surfaces. Using single-cycle pulses of terahertz radiation to excite SPPs in a broad frequency range, we observe that the efficient SPPs scattering on the semiconductor periodic structure introduces significant dispersion and modifies the SPPs propagation. A stop gap, or a frequency range where SPPs are Bragg reflected, is formed by the structure. This gap depends strongly on the Si doping density and type. The resonant scattering at the edge of the gap reduces the group velocity by more than a factor of 2. The measurements show a good agreement with our numerical calculations based on the reduced Rayleigh equation.     

Theory of surface plasmon polaritons in truncated superlattices

A theoretical investigation has been made of surface plasmon polariton modes in truncated superlattices using a local theory with retardation. The modes are characterized by electric fields that decay exponentially away from each interface and that have an envelope that decays exponentially away from the end of the truncated superlattice. A criterion for the existence of the surface models is developed. Numerical results are presented for several illustrative cases.     

Photonic bandgap structures for long-range surface plasmon polaritons

Propagation of long-range surface plasmon polaritons (LR-SPPs) along periodically thickness-modulated metal stripes embedded in dielectric is studied both theoretically and experimentally for light wavelengths in the telecom range. We demonstrate that symmetric (with respect to the film surface) nm-size thickness variations result in the pronounced band gap effect, and obtain very good agreement between measured and simulated (transmission and reflection) spectra. This effect is exploited to realize a compact wavelength add-drop filter with the bandwidth of 20 nm centered at 1550 nm. The possibilities of achieving a full bandgap (in the surface plane) for LR-SPPs are also discussed.     

Reflection-type wavelength-selective infrared emitter using surface plasmon polaritons

A reflection-type wavelength selective IR emitter is proposed. Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs), which occur on metallic grating at a wavelength near the pitch of the structure, are used for controlling thermal emissions. An emission peak at a wavelength nearly equal to the period of the grating is observed. As for the other wavelength, which cannot couple with the SPPs, the IR power is confined by the reflectors including the grating. The emitter temperature increases, consuming lower input power with higher power efficiency.     

Laser-fabricated dielectric optical components for surface plasmon polaritons

Fabrication of dielectric optical components for surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) by two-photon polymerization (2PP) is studied. This direct-write femtosecond laser technology provides a low-cost and flexible method for the fabrication and investigation of plasmonic structures and optical components. Using the 2PP technique, we fabricated narrow dielectric ridges with dimensions as small as 150 nm on metal surfaces. SPP excitation with the laser-fabricated structures and guiding along them are demonstrated.     

阿基米德螺旋微纳结构中的表面等离激元聚焦

研究光在微纳结构中的分布与传播, 实现在纳米范围内操纵光子, 对于微型光学芯片的设计有着重要意义. 本文利用聚焦离子束刻蚀方法, 在基底为石英玻璃的150 nm厚金膜上刻制了不同参数的阿基米德螺旋微纳狭缝结构, 通过改变入射光波长、手性、及螺旋结构手性和螺距等方式, 在理论和实验上系统地研究了阿基米德螺旋微纳结构中的表面等离激元聚焦性质. 我们发现, 除了入射激光偏振态、螺旋结构手性之外, 结构螺距与表面等离激元波长的比值也可以用来控制结构表面电场分布, 进而在结构中心形成0阶、1阶乃至更高阶符合隐失贝塞尔函数的涡旋电场. 通过相位分析, 我们对涡旋电场的成因进行了解释. 并利用有限时域差分的模拟方法计算了不同螺距时, 结构中形成的电场及相应空间相位分布. 最后利用扫描近场光学显微镜, 观测结构中不同的光场分布, 在结构中心得到了亚波长的聚焦光斑及符合不同阶贝塞尔函数的涡旋形表面等离激元聚焦环.