A theoretical analysis of the coupling of light to surface-plasmon oscillations at the edge of a slab waveguide

Author

Fontana, Eduardo

Author_Institution

Dept. de Electron. e Sistemas, Univ. Fed. de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil

Volume

46

Issue

3

fYear

1998

fDate

3/1/1998 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

234

Lastpage

241

Abstract

A theoretical method that accounts for diffraction and backcoupling of surface plasmon (SP) oscillations excited at the metallized edge of a planar waveguide is described in this paper. The model explains previously reported experimental studies related to the development of SP-based optical-fiber sensors. The method is based on a Fourier transform approach and predicts the appearance of a spatial SP resonance within the light diffracted from the waveguide edge. The approach also allows one to obtain the spectral dependence of light guided back from the remote waveguide edge and can be used to determine design parameters for optimum sensor operation

Keywords

Fourier transform optics; fibre optic sensors; light diffraction; optical fibre couplers; optical fibre theory; optical planar waveguides; optical waveguide theory; surface plasmons; Fourier transform approach; backcoupling; design parameters; diffraction; metallized edge; optical-fiber sensors; optimum sensor operation; planar waveguide; remote waveguide edge; slab waveguide; spatial SP resonance; surface-plasmon oscillations; Metallization; Optical coupling; Optical diffraction; Optical planar waveguides; Optical sensors; Optical surface waves; Optical waveguide theory; Optical waveguides; Plasmons; Surface waves;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Microwave Theory and Techniques, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9480

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/22.661708

Filename

661708