Dmitri K. Gramotnev

Channel plasmon–polariton in a triangular groove on a metal surface

One-dimensional localized plasmons (channel polaritons) guided by a triangular groove on a metal substrate are investigated numerically by means of a finite-difference time-domain algorithm. Dispersion, existence conditions, and dissipation of these waves are analyzed. In particular, it is demonstrated that the localization of the predicted plasmons in acute grooves may be substantially stronger than what is allowed by the diffraction limit. As a result, the predicted waves may be significant for the development of new subwavelength waveguides and interconnectors for nano-optics and photonics.

Two-dimensionally localized modes of a nanoscale gap plasmon waveguide

We report numerical analysis and experimental observation of two dimensionally localized plasmonic modes guided by a nanogap in a thin metal film. Dispersion, dissipation, and field structure of these modes are analyzed using the finite-difference time-domain algorithm. The experimental observation is conducted by the end-fire excitation of the proposed gap plasmon waveguides and detection of the generated modes using their edge scattering and charge coupled device camera imaging. Physical interpretation of the obtained results is presented and origins of the described modes are discussed.

Theoretical and experimental investigation of strongly localized plasmons on triangular metal wedges for subwavelength waveguiding

We report numerical analysis and experimental observation of strongly localized plasmons guided by a triangular metal wedge. Dispersion and dissipation of such wedge plasmons are analyzed using the finite-difference time-domain algorithm. Experimental observation is conducted by the end-fire excitation and near-field detection of the predicted plasmons on a 40° silver nanowedge. Good agreement with the theoretically predicted propagation distances is demonstrated. Differences between the theoretical and experimental field distribution are explained by insufficient resolution of the near-field optical probe.

Single-mode subwavelength waveguide with channel plasmon-polaritons in triangular grooves on a metal surface

We demonstrate that single-mode operation of a subwavelength plasmonic waveguide in the form of a V-groove on a metal surface can be achieved by adjusting the depth of the groove. Strongly localized channel plasmon-polaritons (CPPs) are shown to propagate in such waveguides. If the groove depth is close to the penetration depth of the fundamental CPP mode, then all higher modes are not supported by the structure, leaving only the fundamental mode propagating in the groove. In this case, propagation distances of fundamental mode ∼10μm can easily be achieved together with strong subwavelength localization.

Plasmonic subwavelength waveguides: next to zero losses at sharp bends.

We demonstrate that approximately 100% transmission of a strongly localized channel plasmon polariton can be achieved through a sharp 90 degrees bend in a subwavelength waveguide in the form of a triangular groove on a metal surface--a feature that has previously been demonstrated only for photonic crystal waveguides, which do not provide subwavelength localization. Conditions for minimum reflection and radiative losses at the bend are investigated numerically by the finite-difference time-domain algorithm. Dissipation in the structure is demonstrated to be sufficiently low to ensure significant propagation distances (a number of wavelengths) of the localized plasmon in each of the arms of the bend.

Adiabatic and nonadiabatic nanofocusing of plasmons by tapered gap plasmon waveguides

Adiabatic and nonadiabatic nanofocusing of plasmons in tapered gap plasmon waveguides is analyzed using the finite-difference time-domain algorithm. Optimal adaptors between two different subwavelength waveguides and conditions for maximal local field enhancement are determined, investigated, and explained on the basis of dissipative and reflective losses in the taper. Nanofocusing of plasmons into a gap of ∼1nm width with more than 20 times increase in the plasmon energy density is demonstrated in a silver-vacuum taper of ∼1μm long. Comparison with the approximate theory based on the geometrical optics approximation is conducted.

Adiabatic nanofocusing of plasmons by sharp metallic grooves: Geometrical optics approach

In this paper, we demonstrate the possibility of efficient adiabatic nanofocusing of gap plasmons by sharp metallic V grooves or dielectric wedges covered with metal. The geometrical optics approach and the approximation of continuous electrodynamics are used for the analysis. In particular, it is demonstrated that both the phase and group velocities of an incident symmetric (with respect to the magnetic field) plasmon tend to zero at the tip of the groove, and the plasmon adiabatically slows down, eventually dissipating in the metal. The amplitude of the plasmon strongly increases near the tip of the groove. However, unlike nanofocusing by a sharp metal conical tip, even in the absence of dissipation, the amplitude of the plasmon near the tip of a V groove remains finite. The dependence of the maximal local-field enhancement on structural parameters, dissipation in the metal, angle of incidence, etc., is analyzed. It is also shown that a symmetric gap plasmon can effectively be guided by the groove, form...

Optimized nonadiabatic nanofocusing of plasmons by tapered metal rods

Using rigorous numerical methods of analysis, this paper investigates nonadiabatic nanofocusing in tapered nanorods with the major emphasis on structural optimization for achieving maximal possible local field enhancement. Simple analytical equations for the determination of the optimal length of the tapered rod are presented and discussed. It is also shown that for the considered structures, optimal taper angle and optimal length of the rod only very weakly depend on the radius of curvature of the rounded tip of the rod. Contrary to this, enhancement of the local electric field at the rounded tip strongly increases with decreasing radius of the tip. Comparison of the numerical results with the adiabatic theory of nanofocusing results in accurate verification of the applicability conditions for adiabatic approximation in tapered nanorods.

Adiabatic nanofocusing of plasmons by a sharp metal wedge on a dielectric substrate

We demonstrate that efficient adiabatic nanofocusing of plasmons can be achieved using a sharp metal wedge (thin tapered film) on a dielectric substrate. It is shown that the quasisymmetric (with respect to the charge distribution across the wedge) plasmon mode can experience infinite adiabatic slowing down with both its phase and group velocities reducing to zero as the plasmon propagates towards the tip of the wedge. Conditions for strong local field enhancement near the tip are determined and analyzed. In particular, it is demonstrated that the electric field in the plasmon experiences much stronger local enhancement than the magnetic field. Two distinct asymptotic regimes with the electric field amplitude approaching either zero or infinity at the tip of the wedge (tapered film) are described. The results are compared to adiabatic nanofocusing of plasmons by metallic V grooves and sharp metal wedges in a uniform dielectric.

Numerical analysis of coupled wedge plasmons in a structure of two metal wedges separated by a gap

This paper presents the results of the numerical finite-difference time-domain analysis of a strongly localized antisymmetric plasmon, coupled across a nanogap between two identical metal wedges. Dispersion, dissipation, field structure, and existence conditions of such coupled wedge plasmons are determined and investigated on an example of the fundamental coupled mode. It is shown that in the general case there exist three critical wedge angles and a critical gap width (separation between the wedge tips). If the gap width is larger than the critical separation, then the antisymmetric wedge plasmons can exist only in the ranges between the first and the second critical angles, and between the third critical angle and 180°. If the gap width is smaller or equal to the critical separation, then the third and the second critical angles merge, leaving only one interval of wedge angles within which the antisymmetric coupled wedge plasmons can exist. The effect of rounded wedge tips is also investigated and is s...