Long-range surface plasmon triple-output Mach-Zehnder interferometers.

A triple-output Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) operating with long-range surface plasmon-polariton waves, consisting of a MZI in cascade with a triple coupler, is demonstrated at a wavelength of ~1370 nm, using the thermo-optic effect to produce phase shifting. A theoretical model for three-waveguide coupling is also proposed and was applied to compute the transfer characteristic of various designs. Dimensions for the device were selected to optimize performance, experiments were performed, and the results were compared to theory.

Broadside coupling to long-range surface plasmons in metal stripes using prisms, particles, and an atomic force microscope probe.

Techniques for broadside coupling to long-range surface plasmon waves propagating along metal stripes are investigated. The baseline technique consists of evanescently coupling an optical input beam originating from a polarization maintaining fiber to the plasmon wave via a right-angle prism positioned above the metal stripe, and providing an optical output some distance away through a mirror arrangement of identical elements. The technique is modeled theoretically using plane waves and implemented to measure the attenuation of the long-range plasmon wave propagating along a metal stripe supported by a thin freestanding dielectric membrane.

Long-range surface plasmons on ultrathin membranes.

A waveguide structure supporting long-range surface plasmon waves in any gaseous or liquid environment is described. The waveguide comprises a large area dielectric membrane of nanometric thickness upon which thin metal stripes and features are deposited. This structure allows the environment to surround the stripe thus ensuring that an essentially symmetric dielectric background is always present, as required to support the wave.

Confinement and deposition of solution droplets on solvophilic surfaces using a flat high surface energy guide.

A method of depositing small amounts of solution on flat micron scale surface areas on a hydrophilic substrate or die was developed. This method utilizes the capillarity of a flat, high surface free energy guide. Interfacial forces confine the solution between the guide and the substrate surface.

Demonstration of Bragg gratings based on long-ranging surface plasmon polariton waveguides.

An experimental investigation of long-ranging surface plasmon-polariton waves guided along Bragg gratings fabricated from a thin finite width Au film embedded in a homogeneous background dielectric is reported. The operation of four grating families is demonstrated near the free space optical wavelength of 1550 nm. The influence of the length of the grating and the depth of effective index modulation on the performance of these elements is presented and discussed.

Demonstration of integrated optics elements based on long-ranging surface plasmon polaritons.

An experimental investigation of long-ranging surface plasmonpolariton waves guided along thin finite width Au structures embedded in a homogeneous background dielectric is reported. The operation of key passive integrated optics elements such as straight waveguides, s-bends, y-junctions and couplers is demonstrated at a free space optical wavelength of 1550 nm. The influence of some important design parameters on the performance of these elements is presented and discussed.