Propagation of surface plasmons through planar interface

TL;DR

This paper investigates how surface plasmons scatter at a planar dielectric interface, quantifying transmission, reflection, and radiation losses for various incident angles using a scattering matrix approach.

Contribution

It applies the scattering matrix technique to analyze surface plasmon propagation at dielectric interfaces, providing detailed loss and transmission data.

Findings

Transmission can include 10-40% radiative losses.

Radiative losses depend on incident angle.

Surface plasmon transmission is significantly affected by interface properties.

Abstract

We analyze the scattering of the surface plasmon incident at a planar interface between two dielectrics. By using the scattering matrix technique, developed by Oulton et al. [Phys. Rev. B 76, 035408 (2007)], we calculate the transmission, reflection coefficients and radiative losses for oblique incident angles. We found that the transmission of a surface wave through a single interface between two dielectrics may be accompanied with radiation losses of 10-40 per cent of the plasmon energy.