Open AccessShort-range surface plasmon propagation supported by stimulated amplification using electrical injection
Author(s) -
Yicen Li,
Hui Zhang,
Ning Zhu,
Ting Mei,
Dao Hua Zhang,
Jinghua Teng
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.19.022107
Subject(s) - surface plasmon polariton , optics , surface plasmon , materials science , modulation (music) , plasmon , optoelectronics , range (aeronautics) , waveguide , physics , acoustics , composite material
We have investigated the propagation of the long-range mode (LRSP) and the short-range mode (SRSP) surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) along the waveguide made from Au film and quantum wells (QWs) gain medium. Influenced by the gain spectral nonuniformity, the SRSP showed narrower spectrum than the LRSP in output, denoting that the SRSP propagation was supported by stimulated amplification (SA) in electrically-pumped QWs. An SRSP output power as large as 1.6 times of that of the LRSP was obtained over a travelling distance of 80 μm. The mechanism of SA-supported SRSP propagation can be adopted for electrical modulation of SPPs.