Polarization-selective coupling to long-range surface plasmon polariton waveguides

Nano Lett. 2014 Oct 8;14(10):5524-7. doi: 10.1021/nl501860r. Epub 2014 Sep 8.

Abstract

We demonstrate polarization-selective coupling from an optical fiber to long-range surface plasmon polariton waveguide modes using plasmonic antenna arrays. The arrays allow the sorting of two distinct (not necessarily orthogonal) polarizations to counter-propagating waveguide modes. The polarization-selective behavior of the devices is described by a compact formalism based on Stokes vectors that offers a clear graphical representation of the response. We experimentally observe polarization-controlled switching and unidirectional coupling with extinction ratios greater than 30 dB and coupling efficiencies comparable to those of a conventional grating coupler.

Keywords: Long-range surface plasmon polaritons; beam splitters; couplers; metasurfaces; plasmonic antenna arrays; polarization-selective devices.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.