Excitation and Detection of Guided-Wave Plasmon Polariton Modes in High Index Dielectric MIM Structures using Kretschmann ATR
Research Mentor(s)
Leger, Janelle
Description
Surface plasmon polariton (SPP) modes are electromagnetic excitations that exist at metal-dielectric interfaces. SPPs are excited when an incident electromagnetic wave couples to the surface charge density oscillations of a metal. The resulting excitation is confined to the metal-dielectric interface and will propagate along this boundary, such that the metal-dielectric structure supporting the SPP functions as a waveguide. SPPs are often supported by metal-insulator-metal (MIM) structures with an SiO2 insulator layer. However, by replacing the central insulator layer with a material of higher refractive index, we have designed a plasmonic waveguide that supports a novel type of excitation called a guided-wave plasmon polariton mode (GW-PPM). It was shown that GW-PPMs have increased propagation lengths compared to those of traditional SPPs in certain regions of phase space, making their study potentially valuable for a range of applications. Plasmonic modes are excited and detected using the attenuated total reflectance (ATR) technique, in which a prism is used to couple light into the waveguide structure. In the Otto ATR configuration, there exists a small air gap between the prism and waveguide. In the Kretschmann ATR configuration, the waveguide and prism are in direct contact, and excitations occur at the exposed face of the waveguide. Previous studies of GW-PPMs have been carried out using the Otto configuration, which is well-developed both experimentally and theoretically. However, some applications (such as biosensing) require the use of the Kretschmann configuration. Unfortunately, while the Kretschmann configuration is frequently employed experimentally, comprehensive theoretical models for the electromagnetic excitations in Kretschmann configuration have yet to be realized. Here we discuss the development of the theory behind Kretschmann configuration, to be applied to both SPPs and GW-PPMs. We will also discuss the application of this theory to GW-PPM-enhanced biosensing devices.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
17-5-2018 9:00 AM
End Date
17-5-2018 12:00 PM
Department
Physics/Astronomy
Genre/Form
student projects, posters
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Surface plasmon resonance; Electromagnetic waves
Type
Image
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this documentation for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Excitation and Detection of Guided-Wave Plasmon Polariton Modes in High Index Dielectric MIM Structures using Kretschmann ATR
Surface plasmon polariton (SPP) modes are electromagnetic excitations that exist at metal-dielectric interfaces. SPPs are excited when an incident electromagnetic wave couples to the surface charge density oscillations of a metal. The resulting excitation is confined to the metal-dielectric interface and will propagate along this boundary, such that the metal-dielectric structure supporting the SPP functions as a waveguide. SPPs are often supported by metal-insulator-metal (MIM) structures with an SiO2 insulator layer. However, by replacing the central insulator layer with a material of higher refractive index, we have designed a plasmonic waveguide that supports a novel type of excitation called a guided-wave plasmon polariton mode (GW-PPM). It was shown that GW-PPMs have increased propagation lengths compared to those of traditional SPPs in certain regions of phase space, making their study potentially valuable for a range of applications. Plasmonic modes are excited and detected using the attenuated total reflectance (ATR) technique, in which a prism is used to couple light into the waveguide structure. In the Otto ATR configuration, there exists a small air gap between the prism and waveguide. In the Kretschmann ATR configuration, the waveguide and prism are in direct contact, and excitations occur at the exposed face of the waveguide. Previous studies of GW-PPMs have been carried out using the Otto configuration, which is well-developed both experimentally and theoretically. However, some applications (such as biosensing) require the use of the Kretschmann configuration. Unfortunately, while the Kretschmann configuration is frequently employed experimentally, comprehensive theoretical models for the electromagnetic excitations in Kretschmann configuration have yet to be realized. Here we discuss the development of the theory behind Kretschmann configuration, to be applied to both SPPs and GW-PPMs. We will also discuss the application of this theory to GW-PPM-enhanced biosensing devices.
Comments
Outstanding Poster Award Recipient