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$Interference and Diffraction$ 02:18

Interference and Diffraction

Interference is a characteristic phenomenon exhibited by waves. When two electromagnetic waves interact with their peaks and troughs coinciding, a resulting wave with enhanced amplitude is produced. This is known as constructive interference. In this case, the two waves interacting are in phase with each other.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 2026

Determination of the Excitation and Coupling Rates Between Light Emitters and Surface Plasmon Polaritons

Determination of the Excitation and Coupling Rates Between Light Emitters and Surface Plasmon Polaritons

Published on: July 21, 2018

Quantum interference in plasmonic circuits.

Reinier W Heeres¹, Leo P Kouwenhoven, Valery Zwiller

¹Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, PO Box 5046, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands.

Nature Nanotechnology

|August 13, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers demonstrated quantum interference of surface plasmons (light-matter interactions) using nanoscale circuits. This confirms plasmons as indistinguishable quantum particles, enabling subwavelength quantum optical networks.

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Last Updated: May 8, 2026

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Area of Science:

Quantum Optics
Nanophotonics
Condensed Matter Physics

Background:

Surface plasmon polaritons (plasmons) are light-matter interactions at metal/dielectric interfaces.
Plasmons enable subwavelength light confinement and enhanced electromagnetic fields.
Preserving quantum properties like entanglement is crucial for quantum applications.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate quantum interference of surface plasmons.
To demonstrate plasmons as indistinguishable quantum particles.
To explore the feasibility of nanoscale quantum optical experiments.

Main Methods:

Fabrication of an on-chip plasmonic circuit with a beamsplitter.
Integration of superconducting single-photon detectors for efficient plasmon detection.
Observation of Hong-Ou-Mandel (HOM) interference with single plasmons.

Main Results:

Demonstrated quantum-mechanical interaction between indistinguishable surface plasmons.
Observed HOM interference, a key non-classical effect.
Confirmed plasmons' behavior as indistinguishable quantum particles.

Conclusions:

Quantum optical experiments can be scaled down to the nanoscale.
Plasmons offer a viable platform for subwavelength quantum optical networks.
This work paves the way for integrated quantum plasmonic devices.