Quantum theory of surface plasmon polariton scattering

TL;DR

This paper develops a quantum mechanical framework for surface plasmon polariton scattering at interfaces, enabling the design of quantum plasmonic devices like beamsplitters with tunable ratios and demonstrating their quantum interference capabilities.

Contribution

It introduces a novel quantum formalism for plasmon scattering, distinct from photonic models, and explores quantum interference effects in plasmonic beamsplitters.

Findings

Wide-range splitting ratios achievable in plasmonic beamsplitters

Successful characterization of a 50:50 plasmonic beamsplitter

Demonstration of quantum interference of surface plasmon polaritons

Abstract

We introduce the quantum mechanical formalism for treating surface plasmon polariton scattering at an interface. Our developed theory - which is fundamentally different from the analogous photonic scenario - is used to investigate the possibility of plasmonic beamsplitters at the quantum level. Remarkably, we find that a wide-range of splitting ratios can be reached. As an application, we characterize a 50:50 plasmonic beamsplitter and investigate first-order quantum interference of surface plasmon polaritons. The results of this theoretical study show that surface plasmon beamsplitters are able to reliably and efficiently operate in the quantum domain.