Surface plasmon interaction with single grooves in thin silver films

The propagation of surface plasmons in thin silver films and their interaction with defined surface grooves are presented. Of interest to photonic structures are both the optical transmission across barriers and other structures, but also the coupling to free-space electromagnetic waves. We present results on plasmon transmission and reflection at grooves written with a focused ion beam (FIB) into a thin silver film. In order to monitor the optical properties of travelling plasmons excited in attenuated total eflection (ATR), we apply near-field optical microscopy using a dielectric fiber tip. Our results agree well with former theoretical redictions.
Furthermore, we report on optical observation of plasmons propagating at the silver-glass interface rather than the silver-air interface as usually monitored. This manifests itself in a very exciting beating phenomenon between plasmon modes running at the silver-air and silver-glass interface.