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Determination of the Excitation and Coupling Rates Between Light Emitters and Surface Plasmon Polaritons
Published on: July 21, 2018
Phase modulation of surface plasmon polaritons by surface relief dielectric structures
Qian Wang1, Xiaocong Yuan, Piausiong Tan
1Photonics Research Centre, School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
Optics Express
|July 8, 2009
Summary
Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) phase modulation is similar to light waves, enabling enhanced focusing. Optimized SPP zoneplates achieve 130% greater electric field intensity compared to amplitude-modulated ones.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Plasmonics
- Nanotechnology
- Optical Engineering
Background:
- Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) are electromagnetic waves confined to metal-dielectric interfaces.
- Controlling SPP phase is crucial for advanced optical devices.
- Existing methods for SPP manipulation have limitations in focusing enhancement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the phase modulation of SPPs using surface relief dielectric structures.
- To demonstrate the application of SPP phase modulation for enhanced focusing.
- To compare the performance of phase-modulated and amplitude-modulated SPP devices.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of surface relief dielectric structures on a metal film.
- Experimental and theoretical analysis of SPP phase modulation as a function of geometric parameters (length, thickness).
- Design and simulation of an SPP Fresnel zoneplate for focusing applications.
Main Results:
- SPP phase modulation is analogous to free-space light waves, dependent on geometric size and refractive index.
- An optimized phase-modulated SPP Fresnel zoneplate was designed.
- The phase-modulated zoneplate achieved 130% higher electric field intensity at the focal point compared to an amplitude-modulated zoneplate.
Conclusions:
- Geometric parameters of dielectric structures effectively control SPP phase.
- Phase modulation offers a superior method for enhancing SPP focusing.
- This work paves the way for novel plasmonic devices with improved performance.

