ArticlePublisher preview available

Surface Plasmon Excitation: Theory, Configurations, and Applications

November 2023
Plasmonics

November 2023

DOI:10.1007/s11468-023-02095-2

Authors:

Tahir Iqbal

University of Gujrat

Muhammad Farooq

University of Gujrat

This review presents the theory, configurations, and various applications of plasmonics in a variety of surface plasmon–based devices. It describes how light waves travel along the surface where metals and dielectrics meet, revealing the detailed reasons behind the phenomenon. Here, we have used the well-known Drude optical model, a widely accepted theoretical approach, to figure out how different materials behave by considering atoms as tiny vibrating dipoles. In this review, we have thoroughly looked at many aspects, all wrapped up in the concept of complex dielectric functions. We used Maxwell’s equations customized for simple, non-magnetic materials to derive the above mentioned model, with the goal of helping to better grasp how surface plasmon polaritons are generated. In this research, we have organized the conditions needed for momentum matching by applying particular boundary conditions. Along with, we presented different techniques required for the generation of surface plasmon polaritons. We studied how metal and dielectric materials work together, by making comparisons to different optical devices along the way. Our main focus on the subject highlights the significant possibilities that this theory and research offers to various plasmonic applications.

The electromagnetic spectrum. Area of Interest falls between 400 nm to 700 nm, i.e. the visible range. Image Courtesy [Science Summative]

…

a A schematic illustrating the oscillations of charge at the interface between the metal and dielectric for a transverse magnetic [19] wave. b The dispersion plot as a function of angular frequency ω. The blue dashed line represents the light line in air. Bulk wave represents ω≫ωp\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${\varvec{\omega}}\gg {{\varvec{\omega}}}_{{\varvec{p}}}$$\end{document} [18]

…

TE and TM modes. Magnetic flux lines appear as continuous loops. Electric flux lines appear with beginning and end points

…

A schematic representation illustrating the transverse magnetic nature of a surface plasmon polariton (SPP) and the corresponding oscillations in charge density at the metal–dielectric interface [19]. The blue and green colors in the illustration symbolize the extent of penetration of the electromagnetic evanescent wave inside the metal and dielectric, respectively. [9]

…

+11

Behavior of light for different range of frequencies [6]. Here k1\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${{\varvec{k}}}_{1}$$\end{document} represents the wave-vector for incoming light; k2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${{\varvec{k}}}_{2}$$\end{document} represents the wave vector of SPP at the same frequency. Additional momentum that is equivalent to Δkx\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${{\varvec{\Delta}}{\varvec{k}}}_{{\varvec{x}}}$$\end{document} and is found by this grating coupling to match with kspp.\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${{\varvec{k}}}_{{\varvec{s}}{\varvec{p}}{\varvec{p}}}.$$\end{document}

…

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1 3

Plasmonics

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11468-023-02095-2

REVIEW

Surface Plasmon Excitation: Theory, Configurations, andApplications

MuhammadAftab1· M.SalimMansha2· TahirIqbal2· MuhammadFarooq2

Received: 10 September 2023 / Accepted: 12 October 2023

Abstract

This review presents the theory, configurations, and various applications of plasmonics in a variety of surface plasmon–based

devices. It describes how light waves travel along the surface where metals and dielectrics meet, revealing the detailed reasons

behind the phenomenon. Here, we haveused the well-known Drude optical model, a widely accepted theoretical approach, to figure

out how different materials behave by considering atoms as tiny vibrating dipoles. In this review, we have thoroughly looked at many

aspects, all wrapped up in the concept of complex dielectric functions. We used Maxwell’s equations customized for simple, non-

magnetic materials to derive theabove mentioned model, with the goal of helping to better grasp how surface plasmon polaritons

are generated. In this research, we have organized the conditions needed for momentum matching by applying particular boundary

conditions. Along with, we presented different techniquesrequired for thegeneration of surface plasmonpolaritons. We studied

how metal and dielectric materials work together, bymaking comparisons to different optical devices along the way. Our main

focus on the subject highlights the significant possibilities that this theory and research offers to various plasmonic applications.

Keywords Drude optical model· Metallic interfaces· Surface plasmon polariton· Plasmon excitation methods·

Momentum matching techniques

Introduction

Surface plasmon waves have captivated the interest of a

diverse community of scientists from various disciplines

[1]. These waves hold equal allure for biologists, material

scientists, and physicists alike. The prime reason of this

gravity like pull is the feasibility that allow us to design and

characterize the metallic structures of nanometer scale. This

has enabled us to tailor many devices for their specific appli-

cations by controlling the properties of surface plasmons

(SPs) [2]. The SP devices, in turn, have been extensively

investigated for their potential applications in biosensing,

data storage, optics, solar cells, and many more [3].

Following Ritchie’s pioneering work on plasma losses in

the 1950s, SPs were primarily acknowledged and explored

within the realm of surface science [4]. The SPs are infact

electromagnetic waves that travel along an interface which

connects a metal to a dielectric material. These waves essen-

tially consist of light waves that become confined to the

boundary as a result of their interaction with the free elec-

trons within the conductor. In this interaction, the free elec-

trons, resonating with the incident light waves, collectively

respond by oscillating at the metal–dielectric interface.

This resonant interaction between the electromagnetic [1]

field of light (i.e., photons) and the oscillation of surface

charges (i.e., plasmons) is responsible for the generation of

surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) and the emergence of

their unique properties. [5]

One of the most captivating aspects of surface plasmons

(SPs) is their ability to channel and concentrate incoming

light efficiently through sub-wavelength structures. This

phenomenon has the potential to enable the creation of

miniaturized photonic circuits with dimensions significantly

smaller than those currently achieved. These circuits initially

convert incoming light into surface plasmons, which can

then be propagated and processed by logic elements, ulti-

mately being converted back into light. To fabricate such

a circuit, a range of components including switches, wave-

guides, and couplers are essential [6].

In this review, we have given a detailed mathematical

insight of the surface science, excitation of surface plasmons

* Muhammad Aftab

aftab.muhammad8704@gmail.com

1 Department ofPhysics, University ofthePunjab,

Lahore54590, Pakistan

2 Department ofPhysics, University ofGujrat, Gujrat50700,

Pakistan

Content courtesy of Springer Nature, terms of use apply. Rights reserved.

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