Spatial coherence in complex photonic and plasmonic systems

TL;DR

This paper introduces the cross density of states as a measure of intrinsic spatial coherence in complex photonic and plasmonic systems, demonstrating spatial squeezing of eigenmodes in disordered fractal metallic films.

Contribution

It presents a novel use of cross density of states to analyze spatial coherence, clarifying fundamental issues in plasmonics.

Findings

Eigenmodes are spatially squeezed in disordered fractal metallic films.

The cross density of states effectively characterizes intrinsic spatial coherence.

Clarifies a basic issue in plasmonics regarding mode localization.

Abstract

The concept of cross density of states characterizes the intrinsic spatial coherence of complex photonic or plasmonic systems, independently on the illumination conditions. Using this tool and the associated intrinsic coherence length, we demonstrate unambiguously the spatial squeezing of eigenmodes on disordered fractal metallic films, thus clarifying a basic issue in plasmonics.