Periodic plasmonics and wide-field surface-wave nanoscopy

Date

2013-05

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Abstract

Surface Plasmon Polaritons (SPPs) are special surface electromagnetic waves coupled to the electron density waves of a metal, and which are bound at the interface of the metal and a dielectric. The unique and resonant dispersion of SPPs makes them important for a broad range of applications, especially when it is necessary or useful to confine the light in the nanoscale. In this work we have theoretically and experimentally investigated the fundamental behavior of SPPs in periodic and quasi-periodic two-dimensional media. We first demonstrate the use of periodic media in modifying the spectral dispersion of SPPs, and then we extend this concept to quasi-periodic media in order to produce and demonstrate a complete and isotropic bandgap in a system with extremely low index-contrast. We develop a computational model to describe and predict this behavior, and then extend this treatment to applications in ultra-high resolution imaging. We then use the SPP results to produce a generalized theory of far-field superlenses based on any type of leaky surface waves which will have broad impact in the field of microscopy and ultra-deep sub-wavelength imaging. We also look at future use of engineering the dispersion of surface waves through patterning, as well as making use of the naturally resonant dispersion of SPPs to increase the functional imaging resolution of wide-field microscopes far beyond what is currently available, producing a true optical nanoscope that is surprisingly simple in design. Finally, we discuss the design and implementation of a method to generate non-diffracting beams of light in two dimensions using SPPs.

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Keywords

Superlens, Plasmonics

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