Quantum regime for dielectric Cherenkov radiation and graphene surface plasmons

In this article, we propose a quantum regime for Cherenkov free-electron laser (CFEL) and surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) excited in dielectric and multilayer graphene waveguides, respectively. This quantum regime is realized when the momentum spread induced in the interaction is smaller than the photon recoil. The discrete momentum exchange characterizing this interaction yields a significantly narrow single emission line. To determine the condition of the quantum regime, we derive an expression for the gain in the Cherenkov effect using a quantum mechanical treatment. It is assumed that the effective spread in momentum is due to the finite interaction length L (or the propagation length in the case of SPPs). For both cases, CFEL and SPPs, the effects of electron beam and waveguide parameters on the possibility of the quantum regime are studied. We conclude that the quantum regime can be basically verified at low electron beam energy (<40 keV) and at emission wavelengths in the near infrared range (<5 μm) when L is in the order of millimeters. In the case of SPPs, we also show that the feasibility to realize quantum SPPs is enhanced by increasing the chemical potential and number of graphene layers.     

Electrical excitation of surface plasmons

We exploit a plasmon mediated two-step momentum down-conversion scheme to convert low-energy tunneling electrons into propagating photons. Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) propagating along an extended gold nanowire are excited on one end by low-energy electron tunneling and are then converted to free-propagating photons at the other end. The separation of excitation and outcoupling proves that tunneling electrons excite gap plasmons that subsequently couple to propagating plasmons. Our work shows that electron tunneling provides a nonoptical, voltage-controlled, and low-energy pathway for launching SPPs in nanostructures, such as plasmonic waveguides.     

Two-color laser PEEM imaging of horizontal and vertical components of femtosecond surface plasmon polaritons

Explicit visualization of different components of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) propagating at dielectric/metal interfaces is crucial in offering chances for the detailed design and control of the functionalities of plasmonic nanodevices in the future. Here, we reported independent imaging of the vertical and horizontal components of SPPs launched from a rectangular trench in the gold film by a 400-nm laser-assisted near-infrared (NIR) femtosecond laser time-resolved photoemission electron microscopy (TR-PEEM). The experiments demonstrate that distinct imaging of different components of SPPs field can be easily achieved by introducing the 400-nm laser. It can circumvent the risk of sample damage and information loss of excited SPPs field that is generally confronted in the usual NIR laser TR-PEEM scheme. The underlying mechanism for realizing distinct imaging of different components of the SPPs field with two-color PEEM is revealed via measuring the double logarithmic dependence of photoemission yield with the 800-nm and 400-nm pulse powers of different polarizations. Moreover, it is found that the PEEM image quality of the vertical and horizontal components of the SPPs field is nearly independent of the 400-nm pulse polarization. These results pave a way for SPPs-based applications and offer a possible solution for drawing a space—time field of SPPs in three dimensions.     

Surface plasmon polariton microscope with parabolic reflectors

We report the realization of a two-dimensional optical microscope for surface plasmons polaritons (SPPs) based on parabolic Bragg mirrors. These mirrors are built from lithographically fabricated gold nanostructures on gold thin films. We show by direct imaging by leakage radiation microscopy that the magnification power of the SPP microscope follows basic predictions of geometrical optics. Spatial resolution down to the value set by the diffraction limit is demonstrated.     

Structural symmetry of two-dimensional metallic arrays: Implications for surface plasmon excitations

We report our recent investigation of the (0, ±1)-type SPP excitation of a gold two-dimensional nano-cavity array using finite-difference time-domain methodology. Our particular focus is on the symmetry properties of (0, ±1)-SPPs excited by different polarizations of light. Based on a group theory approach, we have shown that these (0, ±1) modes are originated from different symmetry modes at the Γ-point, and the B-(0, ±1) dispersion curve converges to the A-(−1, 0) dispersion curve at the Γ-point. This indicates these (0, ±1) modes are very different in their symmetry properties. As a result, the control of polarization may provide important insights into the manipulation of SPPs.     

Surface plasmon polariton-based optical beam profiler

We describe a surface plasmon polariton- (SPP-) based device for measuring the intensity distribution of strongly focused light beams. A gold thin film configured as a sharp step is positioned in the focal region of a light beam, converting light into SPPs. The SPPs emit directional leakage radiation into the glass substrate beneath the thin film. The intensity of the leakage radiation is proportional to the intensity of the incident local light at the position of the step, allowing us to reconstruct the optical field profile by scanning the thin film's edge through the focal region.     

Stimulated emission of surface plasmon polaritons in a microcylinder cavity

We have observed stimulated emission of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) in dye-doped polymeric microcylinder cavities deposited onto gold and silver wires. The stimulated emission spectra featured a characteristic series of laser modes, with modal spacing corresponding to SPPs propagating at the interface between the metal and dielectric. A plasmonic microlaser adds to the toolbox of plasmonic devices and plasmonic metamaterials and enables on-chip plasmonic generation and loss compensation.     

Surface Plasmon Polaritons in MoS<Subscript>2</Subscript> Nanostructures

The surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) in monolayer MoS₂ nanostructures are theoretically investigated in detail. Our study shows that the strong SPPs are induced in gigahertz (GHz) frequency range. The frequencies of SPPs are very sensitive on the substrates in the nanostructures. Moreover, the frequency of such SPPs can be controlled by varying the electron densities. Our study can be applied to understand the recent experimental results and is relevant to the applications of plasmonic nano-devices based on MoS₂.     

Dispersion of surface plasmon polaritons on metal wires in the terahertz frequency range

We report the experimental and theoretical study of the dispersive behavior of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) on cylindrical metal surfaces in the terahertz frequency range. Time-domain measurements of terahertz SPPs propagating on metal wires reveal a unique structure that is inconsistent with a simple extrapolation of the high frequency portion of the dispersion diagram for SPPs on a planar metal surface, and also distinct from that of SPPs on metal nanowires observed at visible and near-infrared frequencies. The results are consistent with a numerical solution of Maxwell's equations, showing that the dispersive behavior of SPPs on a cylindrical metal surface at terahertz frequencies is quite different from that of SPPs on a flat surface. These findings indicate the increasing importance of skin effects for SPPs in the terahertz range, as well as the enhancement of such effects on curved surfaces.     

Plasmonic tomography of optical vortices

We present a method for analyzing the wavefront of optical vortices that does not involve interferometry but rather uses surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs). We employ a subwavelength slit in a gold film to cut slices from an optical vortex beam and measure the diffraction of the generated SPPs by scattering them off a second slit. By moving the slits across the vortex beam, we create a tomogram, from which we can determine the vortex charge of the incident beam at a glance. We present results for vortex beams of integer- and half-integer-vortex charge.     

The excitation and emission of terahertz surface plasmon polaritons on metal wire waveguides

The development of effective techniques for guiding pulsed terahertz radiation is essential for the continued development of terahertz spectroscopy and imaging applications based on the technique of time-domain spectroscopy. Terahertz surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) can be excited and guided on cylindrical metal wires with low loss and dispersion. This propagating surface wave, known as a Sommerfeld wave, possesses radial polarization, which is not well matched with conventional sources of pulsed terahertz radiation. A photoconductive terahertz antenna with radial symmetry produces radiation that more efficiently couples to the wire waveguide. At the end of the wire, terahertz SPPs emit radiation into free-space that exhibits frequency-dependent diffraction. To cite this article: J.A. Deibel et al., C. R. Physique 9 (2008).     

Searching for evidences of the surface plasmon nature of the thermal radiation emitted from the facet edge of a metal bar

Thermal radiation emitted from flat facet edges of an aluminum bar has been experimentally investigated. It is established that the radiation is predominantly p-polarized and has the pattern with a pronounced maximum oriented at an angle of a few degrees to the plane of the facet. In addition, the magnitude of this maximum increases with the facet length size and tends to saturation as the length increases. The facts suggest that this phenomenon occurs due to diffraction of infrared surface plasmon-polaritons (SPPs) generated by phonons of the sample. This assumption is supported by a cubic dependence of the radiation intensity on temperature, which is typical for thermally generated SPPs (TSPPs). The analytical model for computing the spectrum and the integral intensity of the entire set of TSPPs arriving to the edge of their sources line has been developed as well.     

Experimental study of unidirectional excitation of SPPs by binary area-coded nanohole arrays

We present an experimental study on a unidirectional surface plasmon polariton （SPP） launcher based on a compact binary area-coded nanohole array, where the symmetry breaking is realized via effective-index modulation in the binary pattern of the gold film, thus avoiding the challenge of modulating nanostructure in its depth. It is shown that SPPs can be unidirectionally and effectively excited at normal incidence. The SPP intensity and asymmetric excitation ratio, which are two key figure-of-merits of SPP launchers, can be improved by increasing the number of array rows. The proposed device is compatible with most mature top-town nanofabrieation techniques and thus is perspective for low-cost mass production.     

Rapid laser prototyping of plasmonic components

Renewed and growing interest in the field of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) comes from a rapid advance of nanostructuring technologies. In this paper, we will report on the application of two-photon polymerization (2PP) technique for the fabrication of dielectric SPP-structures, which can be used for localization, guiding, and manipulation of SPPs on a subwavelength scale. This technology is based on nonlinear absorption of near-infrared femtosecond laser pulses. Resolutions down to 100 nm (and even better) are already achievable. Characterization of these structures is performed by leakage radiation microscopy. 2PP allows the fabrication of dielectric waveguides, splitters, and couplers directly on metal surfaces. The dielectric structures on metal films are demonstrated to be very efficient for the excitation of SPPs. Using these structures, one can achieve excitation and focusing of the resulting plasmon field. PACS 42.70.Gi; 42.70.Jk; 42.82.Cr; 71.36.+c; 78.20.-e     

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.     

五层对称人工超常材料结构的表面等离子体激元

研究了由左手材料、负介电材料、常规介电材料所构成的几种五层对称结构表面等离子体激元的特性.讨论了表面等离子体激元的存在区域、色散关系、以及p和s偏振的表面色散曲线枝,发现表面模的性质强烈依赖于系统的组成材料及其组合方式|层数越多,表面色散曲线枝也越多,处在频率通带的表面极化模态也越多|在五层结构中有p和s两种偏振的表面等离子体激元,在共振时,可导致p波和s波强透射.此外,通过使用衰减全反射方法,探讨了激发并观察表面等离子体激元的可能性.     

介质填充浅槽周期结构表面上的太赫兹表面等离子体激元

通过在金属表面刻成浅的垂直凹槽,并在槽内填充不同的介质,对金属表面浅槽周期结构上传播的表面等离子体激元的色散特性与填充介质的关系进行了研究.研究表明通过在周期凹槽内填充介质可以有效降低人工表面等离子体激元的渐近频率,并增强金属表面对电磁场的约束.分析了太赫兹波段金属的吸收损耗对人工表面等离子体激元特性的影响,结果显示基于填充介质的浅槽周期表面结构可以获得长距离传输以及场的亚波长约束.通过对波传输的数值仿真,验证了该表面结构在太赫兹波段良好的导波能力.这种表面结构对太赫兹波段新型集成导波器件的设计具有参考价值.     

介质填充浅槽周期结构表面上的太赫兹表面等离子体激元

通过在金属表面刻成浅的垂直凹槽,并在槽内填充不同的介质,对金属表面浅槽周期结构上传播的表面等离子体激元的色散特性与填充介质的关系进行了研究.研究表明通过在周期凹槽内填充介质可以有效降低人工表面等离子体激元的渐近频率,并增强金属表面对电磁场的约束.分析了太赫兹波段金属的吸收损耗对人工表面等离子体激元特性的影响,结果显示基于填充介质的浅槽周期表面结构可以获得长距离传输以及场的亚波长约束.通过对波传输的数值仿真,验证了该表面结构在太赫兹波段良好的导波能力.这种表面结构对太赫兹波段新型集成导波器件的设计具有参考价值.     

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.