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Updated: Jun 15, 2026
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Determination of the Excitation and Coupling Rates Between Light Emitters and Surface Plasmon Polaritons
Published on: July 21, 2018
Dependence of surface plasmon polarization conversion on the grating pitch
Ribal Georges Sabat1, Nathan Rochon, Paul Rochon
1Dept of Physics, Royal Military College of Canada, P.O. Box 17000, STN Forces, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7K 7B4. sabat@rmc.ca
Summary
Surface plasmon resonances on corrugated metal surfaces can convert light polarization. This study investigated polarization conversion versus grating pitch, using a theoretical model validated by experimental transmission results.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Linearly polarized light can undergo polarization conversion when interacting with structured metal surfaces.
- This phenomenon is attributed to optical energy exchange between surface plasmon (SP) resonances at the metal-dielectric interface.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the angular and wavelength dependence of SP-induced polarization conversion.
- To analyze the effect of grating pitch in cross-corrugated metal surfaces on polarization conversion.
Main Methods:
- Experimental study of light transmission through two perpendicular surface relief diffraction gratings.
- Development of a theoretical model using momentum space graphical representations of light propagation.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated SP-induced polarization conversion on cross-corrugated metal surfaces.
- Established the dependence of this conversion on incident light angle, wavelength, and grating pitch.
Conclusions:
- The developed theoretical model accurately predicts the experimental observations of SP-induced polarization conversion.
- Understanding this phenomenon is crucial for applications in optical devices and polarization control.
