Propagation of the surface plasmon polaritons through gradient index and periodic structures

TL;DR

This paper investigates how surface plasmon polaritons can be efficiently propagated along metallic surfaces by using gradient index and periodic layered dielectric structures to reduce radiative losses.

Contribution

It introduces the use of gradient index and periodic layered structures to suppress radiative losses in surface plasmon polariton propagation.

Findings

Radiative losses are significantly reduced with gradient index structures.

Periodic layered structures also effectively suppress scattering losses.

Enhanced propagation length of surface waves achieved.

Abstract

We study the propagation of surface electromagnetic waves along the metallic surface covered by various layered dielectric structures. We show that strong radiative losses typical for the scattering of the surface wave can be considerably suppressed when single dielectric step is substituted by gradient index or periodic layered structure.