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Adiabatic bends in surface plasmon polariton band gap structures
Optics Express
|June 12, 2009
Summary
Researchers investigated surface plasmon polariton (SPP) propagation using gold nanostructures. They observed a band gap effect inhibiting SPP propagation and demonstrated SPP guiding in bent channels, confirmed by simulations.
Area of Science:
- Plasmonics
- Nanophotonics
- Condensed Matter Physics
Background:
- Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) are electromagnetic waves coupled to electron oscillations at metal-dielectric interfaces.
- Controlling SPP propagation is crucial for developing nanoscale optical devices.
- Periodic nanostructures offer a promising platform for manipulating SPP behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction of SPPs with periodic arrays of gold bumps on gold films.
- To explore the band gap (BG) effect on SPP propagation.
- To demonstrate SPP guiding in bent structures.
Main Methods:
- Experimental investigation using a collection near-field microscope.
- Excitation of SPPs in the 700-860 nm wavelength range.
- Numerical simulations employing the Lippmann-Schwinger integral equation method.
Main Results:
- Observed inhibition of SPP propagation within a specific wavelength range, indicating a band gap effect.
- Demonstrated successful propagation of SPPs along a 30-degree bent channel formed by adiabatically rotated scatterers.
- Numerical simulations showed good agreement with experimental findings.
Conclusions:
- Periodic gold nanostructures can effectively control SPP propagation, exhibiting band gap phenomena.
- Adiabatically rotated periodic structures enable guiding of SPPs along curved paths.
- The study validates numerical methods for predicting SPP interactions with nanostructures.
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