Multiple trains of same-color surface plasmon-polaritons guided by the planar interface of a metal and a sculptured nematic thin film. Part IV: Canonical problem

TL;DR

This paper formulates and solves a canonical problem demonstrating the existence of multiple surface-plasmon-polariton waves of the same frequency with different properties at a metal and sculptured nematic thin film interface.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical framework for understanding multiple SPP waves on a nonhomogeneous interface, revealing their distinct phase speeds and field structures.

Findings

Multiple SPP waves can be excited at the same frequency.

These waves differ in phase speed, field structure, and propagation distance.

Abstract

The canonical problem of the propagation of surface-plasmon-polariton (SPP) waves localized to the planar interface of a metal and a sculptured nematic thin film (SNTF) that is periodically nonhomogeneous along the direction normal to the interface was formulated. Solution of the dispersion equation obtained thereby confirmed the possibility of exciting multiple SPP waves of the same frequency or color. However, these SPP waves differ in phase speed, field structure, and the e-folding distance along the direction of propagation.