Surface multiplasmonics for optical sensing and solar-energy harvesting

The planar interface of a metal and a dielectric material can guide multiple surface-plasmon-polariton (SPP) waves-all of the same frequency, but different phase speed, attenuation rate, and spatial profiles of fields-provided that the dielectric material is periodically nonhomogeneous in the direction normal to the interface. Theoretical and experimental research during the last four years have validated this concept. Emerging applications of surface multiplasmonics include optical sensing of analytes as well as solar-energy harvesting.