Leakage radiation microscopy of surface plasmons launched by a nanodiamond-based tip

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that a nanodiamond-based tip can efficiently launch surface plasmon polaritons in a gold film, enabling precise control in near-field scanning optical microscopy for advanced plasmonic applications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel nanodiamond-based tip for controlled launching of surface plasmons in leakage-radiation microscopy, advancing scanning plasmonics techniques.

Findings

Nanodiamond tips effectively launch surface plasmons.

Enhanced control over plasmon launching position.

Potential for improved near-field microscopy applications.

Abstract

Leakage-radiation microscopy of a thin gold film demonstrates the ability of an ensemble of fluorescent diamond nanoparticles attached onto the apex of an optical tip to serve as an efficient near-field surface-plasmon polariton launcher. The implementation of the nanodiamond-based tip in a near-field scanning optical microscope will allow for an accurate control on the launching position, thereby opening the way to scanning plasmonics.