Electromagnetic generation by combining electronics and photonics: Surface plasmon polariton Cherenkov light source

A novel physical phenomenon is reported which may combine electronics and photonics to generate electromagnetic radiation. Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) are excited by a uniformly moving electron beam in a structure of nano-scale metal film with dielectric medium loading, and then are transformed into Cherenkov radiation with intensity enhancement. Surface Polariton Cherenkov Light Source (SPCLS) is proposed and explored. The results show that SPCLS can generate radiation from visible light to ultraviolet frequency regime and the radiation power density can reach 10⁸W/cm² or even higher depending on the beam energy and current density. It brings a good potential to develop THz and light radiation source.