Submicrometer in-plane integrated surface plasmon cavities

The optical properties of in-plane integrated surface plasmon polariton (SPP) cavities comprised of a thin film area sandwiched between two one-dimensional Bragg SPP mirrors are investigated numerically and experimentally. We discuss the resonance condition of these cavities, and we analyze in details the physical origin of the dispersion of this resonance. On the basis of numerical results, we show that in-plane SPP cavities can be used to achieve local SPP field enhancement and antireflecting SPP layers. The numerical results are compared to near-field optical images recorded by operating a photon scanning tunneling microscope. From the near-field images recorded over cavities with different sizes at different frequencies, we verify the resonance condition obtained numerically and we measure the quality factor of a submicrometer in-plane integrated SPP cavity.     

Observation of stimulated emission of surface plasmon polaritons

We report a direct experimental evidence of stimulated emission of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) at telecom wavelengths (1532 nm) with erbium doped glass as a gain medium. We observe an increase in the propagation length of signal surface plasmons when erbium ions are excited optically using pump SPP. The design, fabrication, and characterization of SPP waveguides, thin gold metal strips, embedded in erbium (Er) doped phosphate glass is presented. Such systems can be suitable as integrated devices coupling electronic and photonic data transmissions as well as SPP amplifiers and SPP lasers.     

Decoupling co-existing surface plasmon polariton (SPP) modes in a nanowire plasmonic waveguide for quantitative mode analysis

Knowledge of surface plasmon polariton (SPP) modes in one-dimensional (1D) metallic nanostructures is essential for the development of subwavelength optical devices such as photonic circuits,integrated light sources,and photodetectors.Despite many efforts to characterize the propagation parameters of these subwavelength 1D plasmonic waveguides,such as Ag nanowires,large discrepancies exist among available reports owing to their sensitivity to the relative weights of co-existing SPP modes and the lack of a method of decoupling these modes and analyzing them separately.In this work,we develop an interference method to distinguish different SPP modes that are simultaneously excited in a Ag nanowire waveguide and measure their propagation parameters separately.By extracting information from the propagation-distancedependent intensity oscillations of the scattered light from the nanowire tip,the effective refractive indices,propagation lengths,and relative mode weights of co-existing SPP modes supported by the nanowire are derived from a mode interference model.These parameters depend strongly on the nanowire diameter and excitation wavelength.In particular,we demonstrate the possibility of selective excitation of different SPP modes by varying the nanowire diameter.This new mode analysis technique provides unique insights into the development and optimization of SPP-based applications.     

Subwavelength focusing and guiding of surface plasmons

The constructive interference of surface plasmon polaritons (SPP) launched by nanometric holes allows us to focus SPP into a spot of high near-field intensity having subwavelength width. Near-field scanning optical microscopy is used to map the local SPP intensity. The resulting SPP patterns and their polarization dependence are accurately described in model calculations based on a dipolar model for the SPP emission at each hole. Furthermore, we show that the high SPP intensity in the focal spot can be launched and propagated on a Ag strip guide with a 250 x 50 nm2 cross section, thus overcoming the diffraction limit of conventional optics. The combination of focusing arrays and nano-waveguides may serve as a basic element in planar nano-photonic circuits.     

All-plasmonic modulation via stimulated emission of copropagating surface plasmon polaritons on a substrate with gain

We experimentally demonstrate suppressed absorption and stimulated emission of surface plasmon polaritons (SPP) leading to all-plasmonic modulation of an SPP signal propagating at the interface between a metal and a gain medium; these observations are supported by the developed theory. The use of copropagating signal and control waves can provide more than 10 times more efficient SPP stimulated emission compared to out-of-plane pumping and opens up the possibility to realize integratable plasmonic components for active nanophotonic circuitry.     

Diffraction of conic and Gaussian beams by a spiral phase plate

An analytical expression for the spatial spectrum of the conic wave diffracted by a spiral phase plate (SPP) with arbitrary integer singularity of order n is obtained. Conic wave diffraction by the SPP is equivalent to plane-wave diffraction by a helical axicon. A comparison of the conic wave and Gaussian beam diffraction on a SPP is made. It is shown that in both cases a light ring is formed, with the intensity function growing in proportion to rho(2n) at small values of radial variable rho and decreasing as n(2)rho(-4) at large rho. By use of direct e-beam writing on the resist, a 32 level SPP of the 2nd order and diameter 5 mm is manufactured. By use of this SPP, a He-Ne laser beam is transformed into a beam with phase singularity and ringlike intensity distribution. A four-order binary diffractive optical element (DOE) with its transmittance proportional to a linear superposition of four angular harmonics is also manufactured. With this DOE, simultaneous optical trapping of several polystyrene beads of diameter 5 microm is performed.     

Surface plasmon polaritons in metal stripes and wires

Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) are collective electron oscillations coupled to a light field which are propagating along the interface of a metal and a dielectric. As a surface wave, SPP modes feature properties essentially different from light-field modes in all dielectric structures. These properties could allow the realization of novel photonic devices that overcome certain limitations of conventional devices. Specifically, the realization of two-dimensional optics and light-field transport in sub-wavelength SPP waveguides seems feasible. In this review we discuss recent experimental advances regarding SPP waveguides, i.e. laterally confined metal thin films that guide SPPs. Electron-beam lithography is applied to tailor these films with widths ranging from a few micrometres (stripes) to nanoscopic values (wires). We investigate SPP properties such as propagation length, mode field profile and reflection or scattering at interfaces. Various techniques for SPP excitation and detection are discussed.     

MIM-MIS隧道结的发光光谱特性

对MIM(Au-SiO2-Al)和MIS(Au-SiO2-Si)隧道结的表面等离极化激元(surfaceplasmonpolariton,SPP)的激发与色散关系进行了讨论,对结的发光光谱进行了测试。结果表明其发射峰主峰位于610nm(2.00eV)～630mm(2.00eV)和700mm(1.77eV)～740nm(1.68eV)处,分别与Au/空气及Au/Al2O3(SiO2)界面SPP模式的激发相对应。结的发光过程应该是隧穿电子激发表面等离极化激元SPP,然后SPP与粗糙度耦合形成光发射。     

A simple synthesis method for nanostructured Co-WC/carbon composites with enhanced oxygen reduction reaction activity

Co nanoparticles (Co NPs) and nanoscale tungsten carbide (WC) are successfully synthesized simultaneously with mesoporous structured carbon black (C) using an innovative simple method, which is known as solution plasma processing (SPP), and NPs are also loaded onto carbon black at the same time by SPP. The introduction of Co NPs led to not only superior oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity in terms of onset potential and peak potential, but also to a more efficient electron transfer process compared to that of pure WC. Co-WC/C also showed durability for long-term operation better than that of commercial Pt/C. These results clearly demonstrate that the presence of Co NPs significantly enhanced the ORR and charge transfer number of neighboring WC NPs in ORR activities. In addition, it was proved that SPP is a simple method (from synthesis of NPs and carbon black to loading on carbon black) for the large-scale synthesis of NP-carbon composite. Therefore, SPP holds great potential as a candidate for next-generation synthetic methods for the production of NP-carbon composites.     

Infrared Surface Plasmon-polaritons on Ni,Pd and Pt

Abstract

Surface plasmon-polaritons (SPP) have been excited on evaporated films of the transition metals nickel, palladium and platinum. Using the Otto geometry and a He/Ne laser operating at 3·391 μm we report the first characterisations of these metals using this technique. Adjusting the air-gap over the range 4 to 15 μm has allowed observation of > 95% coupling of p-polarised (TM) radiation to the SPP and precise quantification of the optical dielectric constants of the metal films. The relatively large imaginary components so obtained mean that these materials may not readily be used in the Kretschmann geometry at this wavelength. By contrast the SPP resonances observed using the Otto geometry are sharp and open up potential for catalytic studies with SPP excitation on these metals.     

Highly efficient all-optical control of surface-plasmon-polariton generation based on a compact asymmetric single slit

By engaging a compact asymmetric single slit coated with a photorefractive polymer, surface-plasmon-polariton (SPP) generation was efficiently controlled by a pump beam. In the structure, the nonlinear light-matter interaction is enhanced because of the cavity effect, which increases the sensitivity of SPPs to the surrounding dielectric. By variation of the real part of the refractive index together with an interferometric configuration, high on/off switching ratios are achieved. Moreover, the SPP generation and modulation processes are integrated in the same asymmetric single slit, which makes the device ultracompact. Experimentally, a high on/off switching ratio of >20 dB and phase variation of >π were observed with the device lateral dimension of only about 2 μm.     

Toward full spatiotemporal control on the nanoscale

We introduce an approach to implement full coherent control on nanometer length scales. It is based on spatiotemporal modulation of the surface plasmon polariton (SPP) fields at the thick edge of a nanowedge. The SPP wavepackets propagating toward the sharp edge of this nanowedge are compressed and adiabatically concentrated at a nanofocus, forming an ultrashort pulse of local fields. The profile of the focused waveform as a function of time and one spatial dimension is completely coherently controlled.     

Wide-field, surface-sensitive four-wave mixing microscopy of nanostructures

We describe a wide-field four-wave mixing (FWM) microscope with imaging characteristics optimized for examining nanostructures. The microscope employs surface-plasmon polariton (SPP) excitation in a gold film to achieve surface-sensitive imaging conditions. The SPP surface fields boost the FWM efficiency by 2 orders of magnitude relative to the excitation efficiency of the evanescent fields at a bare glass surface. We demonstrate two excitation geometries that completely suppress the electronic FWM response of the metal film while allowing the far-field detection of FWM radiation from nanostructures at the interface. We obtained wide-field FWM images from individual carbon nanotubes and nanoclusters of neocyanine molecules at image acquisition times of 1 s, demonstrating the potential for background free, surface-enhanced FWM imaging of nanomaterials.     

Enhanced nonlinear optical effects with a tapered plasmonic waveguide

Infrared surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) are concentrated in a laterally tapered planar Ag waveguide. The near field of SPPs excited with 1490 nm light at a Ag-sapphire interface is probed using the photoluminescence of upconverted Er ions at 550 and 660 nm. SPP interference patterns are observed that exhibit clear evidence of SPP concentration toward the taper end. The concentration leads to an enhancement of the upconversion luminescence intensity from Er energy levels that are populated by multiphoton processes.     

Femtosecond microscopy of surface plasmon polariton wave packet evolution at the silver/vacuum interface

A movie of the dispersive and dissipative propagation of surface plasmon polariton (SPP) wave packets at a silver/vacuum interface is recorded by the interferometric time-resolved photoemission electron microscopy with 60 nm spatial resolution and 330 as frame interval. The evolution of SPP wave packets is imaged through a two-path interference created by a pair of 10 fs phase correlated pump-probe light pulses at 400 nm. The wave packet evolution is simulated using the complex dielectric function of silver.     

Broad band focusing and demultiplexing of in-plane propagating surface plasmons

On the basis of a novel phase modulation method by in-plane diffraction processes, a well-designed nanoarray on metal surface is proposed to realize a broad band focusing (bandwidth ～100 nm) and a demultiplexing element (resolution ～12 nm) of surface plasmon polariton (SPP) waves. Moreover, sublattice arrays are developed to achieve an improved demultiplexer and confocal SPP beams. The proposed scheme with implemented functionalities is designed totally in planar dimension, which is free of the SPP coupling process and indicates more practical application in photonic integrations.     

Polarization Conversion Using Prism-coupled Surface Plasmon-polaritons

Abstract

Evanescent prism coupling through a thin silver film provides a convenient mechanism for excitation of surface plasmon-polaritons (SPPs). However, the SPP is observed as a dip in p-polarized reflectivity, which may be inconvenient in sensor application. Here we observe the effect of rotation of the plane of incident polarization. This leads to the observation of polarization mixing at SPP excitation, and a peak reflectivity signal is obtained between crossed polarizers. This provides a powerful mechanism for SPP observation as a peak, which may be more easily monitored.     

Generation of phase singularity through diffracting a plane or Gaussian beam by a spiral phase plate

We deduce and study an analytical expression for Fresnel diffraction of a plane wave by a spiral phase plate (SPP) that imparts an arbitrary-order phase singularity on the light field. Estimates for the optical vortex radius that depends on the singularity's integer order n (also termed topological charge, or order of the dislocation) have been derived. The near-zero vortex intensity is shown to be proportional to rho2n, where p is the radial coordinate. Also, an analytical expression for Fresnel diffraction of the Gaussian beam by a SPP with nth-order singularity is analyzed. The far-field intensity distribution is derived. The radius of maximal intensity is shown to depend on the singularity number. The behavior of the Gaussian beam intensity after a SPP with second-order singularity (n = 2) is studied in more detail. The parameters of the light beams generated numerically with the Fresnel transform and via analytical formulas are in good agreement. In addition, the light fields with first- and second-order singularities were generated by a 32-level SPP fabricated on the resist by use of the electron-beam lithography technique.     

Near-field visualization of strongly confined surface plasmon polaritons in metal-insulator-metal waveguides

A nanoscale gap between two metal surfaces can confine propagating surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) to very small dimensions, but this geometry makes it inherently difficult to image SPP propagation at high resolution. We demonstrate the near-field probing of these SPPs, propagating within a 50 nm thick Si 3N 4 waveguide with Ag cladding layers for frequencies ranging from the blue to the near-infrared. Using near-field SPP interferometry, we determine the wave vector, showing that the wavelength is shortened to values as small as 156 nm for a free-space wavelength of 532 nm.     

The Complexation of Amitriptyline and Imipramine by Sodium Polyphosphate

The complexation of organic cations with sodium polyphosphate (SPP) has received some attention in the past; those workers have focused on research which demonstrated the range of molecules which form insoluble complexes, the in-vitro dissolution of the complexes or in-vivo studies on the absorption of the complexes. This in-vitro study, with amitriptyline and imipramine, presents evidence that structurally related drugs may have substantially different affinities for the SPP. Imipramine has the higher affinity for SPP and the complexation process is unaffected by the presence of up to 0.1 M sodium chloride. The maximum stoichiometry obtained with imipramine was 1.13. It is suggested that imipramine is able to interact in a 1:1 ratio with the chain phosphates and in a 2:1 ratio with the terminal phosphates. This mechanism predicts that the net stoichiometry for SPP, with an average chain lenghth of 14, is 1.143.