Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 11, 2026
07:39
Determination of the Excitation and Coupling Rates Between Light Emitters and Surface Plasmon Polaritons
Published on: July 21, 2018
An integrated surface-plasmon source.
C S Kim1, I Vurgaftman, R A Flynn
1Optical Sciences Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375, USA.
Optics Express
|July 1, 2010
Summary
Researchers developed a compact, integrated source of coherent surface-plasmon polaritons (SPPs) by coupling a laser diode to a plasmonic waveguide. This electrically-activated device is ideal for driving plasmonic circuits and sensors.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Plasmonics
- Integrated Optics
Background:
- Surface-plasmon polaritons (SPPs) are crucial for nanoscale optical manipulation.
- Efficient on-chip generation of SPPs is essential for integrated photonic devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a compact, versatile, and electrically-activated source of coherent SPPs.
- To achieve high coupling efficiency between a laser diode and a plasmonic waveguide on a microchip.
Main Methods:
- End-coupling a 1.46 micrometer laser diode to a planar-stripe plasmonic waveguide.
- Optimizing spatial-mode overlap between the laser and waveguide.
- Utilizing microchip integration for device fabrication.
Main Results:
- Achieved a high coupling efficiency of approximately 36% for SPP generation.
- Demonstrated potential for ~60% efficiency with reduced laser-waveguide gaps.
- Presented an integrated, electrically-driven SPP source.
Conclusions:
- The demonstrated integrated SPP source is compact and versatile.
- This technology is well-suited for direct integration with plasmonic circuitry.
- The source is promising for applications in surface-enhanced sensors and integrated photonics.
