Berlin 2008 – scientific programme
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O: Fachverband Oberflächenphysik
O 66: Metallic Nanostructures I (on Metals)
O 66.3: Talk
Thursday, February 28, 2008, 13:15–13:30, MA 041
Tailoring Surface Plasmon Polariton Propagation via Specific Symmetry Properties of Nanostructures — •Brian Ashall1, Michael Berndt2, and Dominic Zerulla1 — 1UCD Dublin, School of Physics, Dublin 4, Ireland — 2MPI of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
SPs are electromagnetic surface waves propagating along the interface of two materials with dielectric functions of opposite sign. They are essentially light waves that are trapped on the surface as a result of interactions between the illuminating wave and the free electrons of the conductor, and are called Surface Plasmon Polaritons (SPPs) to reflect this hybrid nature. Recent advances in fabrication technologies have created new opportunities to control SPP properties to reveal new aspects of their underlying science, and to tailor them for specific applications. We report on an experimental investigation on SPP propagation and interaction on 2D arrays of differing symmetry properties. Providing the required symmetry variations, and forming the basis of the arrays, are tailor designed nanostructures. The symmetry properties of the nanostructures have a definite impact on the SPP propagation direction on the surface. In particular, it is demonstrated how in certain orientations our rotor nanostructures have interesting wave-guiding interactions with propagating SPPs, and polarization twisting effect on the SPP re-radiated light.
[2] B. Ashall, M. Berndt, D. Zerulla; Appl. Phys. Lett. 91, 203109 (2007)