Dresden 2017 – scientific programme

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O: Fachverband Oberflächenphysik

O 4: Plasmonics and Nanooptics I: Light-Matter Interactions

O 4.2: Talk

Monday, March 20, 2017, 10:45–11:00, TRE Ma

Mueller matrix investigation of gold gratings — •Meng Wang, Anja Löhle, Bruno Gompf, Martin Dressel, and Audrey Berrier — 1. Physikalisches Institut and Research Center SCoPE, Universität Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany

Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs), dispersive collective electron excitations propagating along metal-dielectric interfaces leading to strong field confinement, are powerful ways to control the electromagnetic field. They foster promising applications, e.g., in sensing and nanophotonics. In this work, a plasmonic one-dimensional grating fabricated by evaporating gold thin films on an elastomer is investigated by Mueller Matrix (MM) spectroscopic ellipsometry, a powerful tool to characterize the interaction of nanostructured objects with polarized light. All 16 MM elements were measured in reflection. To evaluate the respective role of specific features, such as plasmonic modes, anisotropy, material absorption, or simply diffraction orders, the optical response was measured at various angles of incidence and different azimuthal orientations over a broad frequency range. Hence, the complex interactions resulting from the interplay of these excitations can be unravelled. Modelling of the optical properties based on a biaxial model completes the study. Anisotropy, SPPs, diffraction orders and inter-band transition are distinguished from their different dispersive behaviour and explain all MM features. This knowledge can help to better understand how to tailor the specific excitations and provides guidelines for the design of novel optical functionalities using nanostructured materials.