Guiding light with long-range plasmons

Long-range surface plasmons can be implemented, to develop integrated optical circuits and other chip-scale photonic applications. Long-range surface plasmons are optical modes propagating along metallic circuits at optical and near-infrared wavelengths that are characterized by specific electromagnetic properties. It is also a coupled mode of metal films, arising when its thickness is small, to allow it on each metal-dielectric interface to interact. These modes are less confined and less affected by absorption in the metal. The electromagnetic fields associated with these plasmons are evanescent in the direction transverse to their propagation, due to interaction between plasmons and electrons. A simple way to guide a long-range surface plasmon is, to restrict the width of the thin metal film along which it propagates.

Duke Scholars

Author David R. Smith Electrical and Computer Engineering