Heaven’s Light is Our Guide

Plasmonics and Optical Devices

EEE 6613

Course materials:
Ref. [1]: Plasmonics: Fundamentals and Applications by Stefan A. Maier.
Ref. [2]: Plasmonics beyond the diffraction limit, Nature
Ref. [3]: Chapter 5: Plasmonic Components
Ref. [4]: Plasmonics: Theory and Applications
Ref. [5]: Different link are provided inside the slides
 Background of plasmonics:
➢ Plasmonics is a quickly developing subject that combines fundamental
research and applications ranging from areas such as physics to
engineering, chemistry, biology, medicine, food sciences, and the
environmental sciences.
➢ Plasmonics appeared in the 1950s with the discovery of surface
plasmon polaritons (SPPs).
➢ Plasmonics (or nanoplasmonics) is a young topic of research, which is
part of nanophotonics and nano-optics.

➢ For instance, surface plasmons have the unique capacity to confine

light at the nanoscale.

➢ In addition to the above, the surface plasmon resonances can be

controlled by adjusting the size, shape, periodicity, and materials
nature.
Noble metals: plasmonic materials at optical regime
 What is plasmonics?

The science of plasmonics is dealing with generation,

manipulation, and detection of surface plasmon polaritons
(SPPs).

SPP: Quasi-particle due to coupling of light and surface

plasmon (SP).

SP: electron oscillation wave at metal surfaces.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaSehS88Kkw)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_plasmon_polariton
 What is surface plasmon polariton (SPP)?
Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) are electromagnetic waves that travel along a metal–
dielectric or metal–air interface, practically in the infrared or visible-frequency.

The term "surface plasmon polariton" explains that the wave involves both charge motion in
the metal ("surface plasmon") and electromagnetic waves in the air or dielectric ("polariton")

Schematic diagrams illustrating (a) a surface plasmon polariton (or propagating plasmon ) and (b) a
localized surface plasmon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBThg3t9A-E

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_plasmon_polariton
 Localized Surface Plasmon
A localized surface plasmon (LSP) is the result of the confinement of a surface
plasmon in a nanoparticle of size comparable to or smaller than the wavelength
of light used to excite the plasmon.

When a small spherical metallic nanoparticle is irradiated by light, the oscillating

electric field causes the conduction electrons to oscillate coherently.

When the electron cloud is displaced relative to its original position, a restoring
force arises from Coulombic attraction between electrons and nuclei. This force
causes the electron cloud to oscillate.

Light incident on a metal

nanoparticle causes the conduction
band electrons to oscillate. This is
the localized surface plasmon.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loc
alized_surface_plasmon
 Localized Surface Plasmon
The LSP has two important effects:

(i) the electric fields near the particle's surface are greatly enhanced and
(ii) the particle's optical absorption has a maximum at the plasmon resonant
frequency.

Applications:
❖ The plasmon resonant frequency is highly sensitive to the refractive index of the
environment; a change in refractive index results in a shift in the resonant
frequency. As the resonant frequency is easy to measure, this allows LSP
nanoparticles to be used for nanoscale sensing applications

❖ Other applications that rely on efficient light to heat generation in the nanoscale
are heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR), photothermal cancer therapy,
and thermophotovoltaics

❖ Additionally, surface plasmons have been used to create super lenses,

invisibility cloaks, and to improve quantum computing

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Localized_surface_plasmon
 Surface plasmon resonance
Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is the resonant oscillation of conduction
electrons at the interface between negative and positive permittivity material in a
particle stimulated by incident light.

SPR is the basis of many

standard tools for
measuring adsorption of
material onto planar metal
(typically gold or silver)
surfaces or onto the surface
of metal nanoparticles.

It is the fundamental
principle behind many color
based biosensor applications https://nicoyalife.com/nicoya-surface-plasmon-resonance-
and lab-on-a-chip sensors. resources/what-is-spr/lspr-vs-spr-2/
 Comparing SPR & LSPR
Difference between localized surface plasmon and surface
plasmon polariton resonance:

https://www.youtu
be.com/watch?v=Q
LT1vrnJXWI

https://www.differencebetween.com/what-is-the-difference-between-spr-and-lspr/amp/
 Comparing SPR & LSPR Technology

Using LSPR instead of SPR has a number of significant advantages:

•The optical hardware needed for LSPR is much less complex since no prism is needed to
couple the light, so the instrument can be made smaller and more affordable
•Since measuring a reflected light angle is not important, the instrument is much more
robust against vibration and mechanical noise
•LSPR is not as sensitive to bulk refractive index changes, which can cause errors in the
experimental data
•No strict temperature control is needed, simplifying the instrument
•The sensor chips can be manufactured at a much more affordable price
•Easier to use and maintain
https://nicoyalife.com/nicoya-surface-plasmon-resonance-resources/what-is-spr/lspr-vs-spr-
2/
 Study of SPP Dispersion Relation

❖ In order to excite surface plasmon polaritons in a resonant manner, one can use electron
bombardment or incident light beam (visible and infrared are typical). The incoming beam
has to match its momentum to that of the plasmon.

❖ In the case of p-polarized light (polarization occurs parallel to the plane of incidence), this
is possible by passing the light through a block of glass to increase the wavenumber (and
the momentum), and achieve the resonance at a given wavelength and angle.

❖ S-polarized light (polarization occurs perpendicular to the plane of incidence) cannot

excite electronic surface plasmons. Electronic and magnetic surface plasmons obey the
following dispersion relation:

where k(ω) is the wave vector, ε is the relative permittivity, and μ is the relative permeability of the
material (1: the glass block, 2: the metal film), while ω is angular frequency and c is the speed of
light in a vacuum. Here, μ = 1 due to non-magnetic material.

Typical metals that support surface plasmons are silver and gold, but metals such as copper,
titanium or chromium have also been used.
 Study of SPP Dispersion Relation
Basic Metal Permittivity idea:

The Drude model of metal is given by:

Or,

At a resonance frequency (ωp), called

the plasma frequency, the dielectric function
changes sign from negative to positive and real
part of the dielectric function drops to zero.

✓ The plasma frequency represents a plasma oscillation resonance or plasmon.

✓ The plasma frequency can be employed as a direct measure of the square root of the
density of valence electrons in a solid.
✓ Observed values are in reasonable agreement with this theoretical prediction for a large
number of materials.
✓ Below the plasma frequency, the dielectric function is negative and the field cannot
penetrate the sample. Light with angular frequency below the plasma frequency will be
totally reflected.
✓ Above the plasma frequency the light waves can penetrate the sample, a typical example
are alkaline metals that becomes transparent in the range of ultraviolet radiation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drude_model#:~:text=The%20Drude%20model%20considers%20the,field%20of%20the%20other%20atoms
 Study of SPP Dispersion Relation

At greater than wp,

metal is becoming
dielectric and helps to
propagate light
(normal ω/c relation)

At lower than wp,

metal is reflective
in nature and
Kspp is low

At equal to wp,
Kspp is high and
this is the
resonant point
between metal
and dielectric
behaviour
Need to see the following video to understand dispersion relation of SPP:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jABbLT6QJuM
 Study of SPP Dispersion Relation
Height of Dielectric and
metal region is depended
on frequency of operation

At lower f, Kspp is
Propagating mostly
in dielectric region
with larger height, so
Hd should be large

As f increases, SPP is
getting stronger at
the interface and
height is getting
reduced)

Hm should be low
as light does not
Need to see the following video to understand dispersion relation of SPP: penetrate much
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jABbLT6QJuM on the metal
 SPP Dispersion Relation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBThg3t9A-E
 SPP Dispersion Relation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIpQvnLq8j0
 SPP Dispersion Relation

Metal is dominated
So em+ed=em

Need to see the following video to understand dispersion relation of SPP:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIpQvnLq8j0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag5IcWpERUk
 Why TE mode can’t excite SPP ?
❑ A surface plasmon on a metallic/dielectric plane interface has essentially an
electric field perpendicular to the interface in the dielectric medium. Inside the
metal the electric field almost vanishes.

❑ Now if you excite your interface with a TE (transverse electric field), you have
no component perpendicular to the interface, only a parallel component and
you cannot excite the plasmon mode.

❑ In the TM geometry, there is a perpendicular component of electric field which

is perpendicular to the interface and may excite the plasmon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag5IcWpERUk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYNAk33schg
 SPP Excitation:
Process / Mechanism 1:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYNAk33schg
 SPP Excitation:
Process / Mechanism 1:

For a specific angle,

KSio2 (parallel component)= Kspp = Kx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYNAk33schg
 SPP Excitation:
Process / Mechanism 1:
When using light to excite SP waves, there are two configurations which are well
known. In the Otto configuration, the light illuminates the wall of a glass block,
typically a prism, and is totally internally reflected. A thin metal film (for example gold)
is positioned close enough to the prism wall so that an evanescent wave can interact
with the plasma waves on the surface and hence excite the plasmons.

In the Kretschmann configuration (also known as Kretschmann–Raether

configuration), the metal film is evaporated onto the glass block. The light again
illuminates the glass block, and an evanescent wave penetrates through the metal
film. The plasmons are excited at the outer side of the film. This configuration is used
in most practical applications.

Kretschmann configuration

Otto configuration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYNAk33schg

 SPP Excitation:
Process / Mechanism 1:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag5IcWpERUk
 SPP Excitation:
Process / Mechanism 2: Use of Gratting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag5IcWpERUk

Grating itself has a k vector

Process / Mechanism 4:
Use of nanoparticle / dot

Process / Mechanism 3:
Use of Otto geometry

Nano particle have special frequency

and responsible for momentum matching
while light is incident on nano-particle
 SPR Applications
❖ Surface plasmons have been used to enhance the surface sensitivity of several
spectroscopic measurements including fluorescence, Raman scattering, and second-
harmonic generation.
❖ However, in their simplest form, SPR reflectivity measurements can be used to
detect molecular adsorption, such as polymers, DNA or proteins, etc.
❖ In the simplest way, the SPR can be used for the detection of molecular adsorption,
including polymers, DNA< and proteins. In addition, there are some other minor
applications which include its use in SPR immunoassay, material characterization, data
interpretation, etc.
➢ SPR immunoassay (a biochemical test to measures the presence of a macromolecule or a small molecule in a solution)
➢ Material characterization : to characterize layers and stacks of layers, ..
➢ Data interpretation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface
_plasmon_resonance
➢ Novel applications (biomedical and environmental studies)

➢ Layer-by-layer self-assembly
https://www.differencebetween.
➢ Thermodynamic analysis com/what-is-the-difference-
between-spr-and-lspr/amp/
➢ Magnetic plasmon resonance
 SPR Applications
▪ Fluorescence is the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or
other electromagnetic radiation. It is a form of luminescence. In most cases, the emitted light
has a longer wavelength, and therefore a lower photon energy, than the absorbed radiation.
▪ A perceptible example of fluorescence occurs when the absorbed radiation is in
the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum (invisible to the human eye), while the
emitted light is in the visible region; this gives the fluorescent substance a distinct color that
can only be seen when the substance has been exposed to UV light.
▪ Raman scattering or the Raman effect is the inelastic scattering of photons by matter,
meaning that there is both an exchange of energy and a change in the light's direction.
▪ Typically this effect involves vibrational energy being gained by a molecule as incident
photons from a visible laser are shifted to lower energy. This is called normal Stokes Raman
scattering.
Second-harmonic generation (SHG, also called frequency doubling) is a nonlinear
optical process in which two photons with the same frequency interact with a nonlinear
material, are "combined", and generate a new photon with twice the energy of the initial
photons (equivalently, twice the frequency and half the wavelength), that conserves
the coherence of the excitation.

It is a special case of sum-frequency generation (2 photons), and more generally of harmonic

generation.
 SPR Applications
❑ Reflectivity curve is much more sharper than the LSPR curve (not shown here)

❑ Black color curve represent when no SPP excitation

❑ Red color curves achieved SPP excitation for a specific angle and
can be used for sensing or other purposes

For example,
Medium 1 = Air
Medium 2 = Ag (metal)
Medium 3 = Silica / Glass

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYNAk33schg
 SPR Applications

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag5IcWpERUk
 SPR Applications

Scheme for a
sensor that uses
surface plasmon
resonance

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_plasmon_resonance
 SPR Applications

antibody (Ab), is a
large, Y-shaped
protein

Receptor: an organ or
cell
able to respond to light

Conjugation is the
process of attaching an
antigen to a larger
molecule that will ensure
that the antigen will
activate an immune
response that produces
antibodies.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_plasmon_resonance
 Application areas of Plasmonic Systems
•Biosensors [15-20]: thiophenol detection, detection of biomolecules,
assembling of iron oxide nanoparticles, detection of chemical and biological
molecules, DNA detection, Reproducible Biomolecule Detection

Optical devices [21-24] : Plasmonic Photodetector, plasmonic interferometers,

plasmonic modulator, plasmonic Mach–Zehnder modulator

• photovoltaic devices [25-28] : Highly Efficient Organic Photovoltaics to

enhance the efficiency of solar energy conversion, Plasmonic Organic Photovoltaics,
Plasmonic Nanostructures for Record-Breaking Efficiency Enhancements in
Photovoltaic Devices
………………………………………….
Plasmonics for on-chip interconnects:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIpQvnLq8j0
 The promise of plasmonics:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIpQvnLq8j0

Drawback: SPP can not propagate long distance, that’s why popular in
on-chop communication
 Assignment 1:
❖ Q. 1. Write short note on Plasmonics, localized surface plasmon, and surface plasmon
resonance. List the applications of plasmonics.
❖ Q. 2. Briefly discuss the dispersion relation of surface plasmon with necessary
diagrams and equations.
❖ Q. 3. How SPP can be excited? Briefly explain one mechanism.
❖ Q. 4. Briefly discuss one application of SPR with necessary diagram.
❖ Q. 5. What are the differences between SPR and LSPR? Discuss briefly.
❖ Q. 6. Why TE mode can’t excite SPP ? Explain.
❖ Q. 7. Justify from the SPP dispersion relation that spp wavelength is getting much
shorter than the free space wavelength as you approaching to the spp resonance
frequency.
❖ Q. 8. Prove that ωspp = ωp/√2 for air-metal interface where the symbols have their usual
meanings.
❖ Q. 9. Metal can be behaved as dielectric at higher than the plasma frequency. Justify
with the help of SPP dispersion relation.
❖ Q. 10. Write down the SPP dispersion equation and explain the scenario or physics
when (i) ω = ωp (ii) ω < ωp (iii) ω > ωp
❖ Q. 11. What would be the velocity of wave at the resonance (ω = ωp) ? Explain briefly
with necessary physics.
❖ Q. 12. How can you calculate SPP propagation length? Explain briefly.
Following are the Optional Slides for
understanding:
 Broad picture of “polaritonics”
Polaritonics is an intermediate regime between photonics and sub-
microwave electronics (see Fig. 1). In this regime, signals are carried by an admixture
of electromagnetic and lattice vibrational waves known as phonon-polaritons, rather
than currents or photons. Since phonon-polaritons propagate with frequencies in the
range of hundreds of gigahertz to several terahertz, polaritonics bridges the gap
between electronics and photonics.

Polaritonics may resolve the incongruence between electronics, which suffers

technological and physical barriers to increased speed, and photonics, which requires
lossy integration of light source and guiding structures. Other quasiparticles/collective
excitations such as magnon-polaritons and exciton-polaritons, their location identified
above, may be exploitable in the same way that phonon-polaritons have been for
polaritonics.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polaritonics
Broad picture of “polaritonics”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polaritonics
Basic to understand wavelength:
 Basic to understand wavevector / wavenumber:

In the physical sciences, the wavenumber (also wave number or repetency[1]) is

the spatial frequency of a wave, measured in cycles per unit distance (ordinary
wavenumber) or radians per unit distance (angular wavenumber).[2][3][4] It is
analogous to temporal frequency, which is defined as the number of wave cycles
per unit time (ordinary frequency) or radians per unit time (angular frequency).
Basic to understand wavenumber:
 P and S Polarization
p and s polarization is relative to-
• the plane of incidence, and
• the surface

➢Perpendicular (s-) polarization is

the polarization where the electric
field is perpendicular to the plane of
incidence,

➢ while parallel (p-) polarization is

the polarization where the electric
field is parallel to the plane of
incidence.

40
 SPP Excitation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYNAk33schg
SPR Applications: Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy or surface-enhanced Raman
scattering (SERS) is a surface-sensitive technique that enhances Raman
scattering by molecules adsorbed on rough metal surfaces or by nanostructures
such as plasmonic-magnetic silica nanotubes. The enhancement factor can be
as much as 1010 to 1011, which means the technique may detect single
molecules.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsIYDEma_cU
 Raman Scattering

FIGURE 13.7. Energy level diagram

illustrating the Raman scattering
process. Most of the light incident on a
chemical bond is elastically scattered,
resulting in no change in the frequency
of the photon. However, a small
fraction of photons are inelastically, or
Raman scattered off the molecular
bond vibration. In this case the
molecule either returns to a higher
vibrational energy level, yielding a
Stokes shifted photon, or it returns to a
lower vibrational energy level, leaving
an Anti-Stokes shifted photon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsIYDEma_cU
 SPR Applications

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag5IcWpERUk