Open AccessPlasmonic polarization beam splitting based on single silver nanowire
Author(s) -
Longkun Yang,
Pan Li,
Zhipeng Li
Publication year - 2019
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.27.003851
Subject(s) - plasmon , nanowire , surface plasmon , polarization (electrochemistry) , optics , optoelectronics , materials science , nanophotonics , photonics , photonic integrated circuit , superposition principle , surface plasmon polariton , physics , chemistry , quantum mechanics
Plasmonic waveguides have been indispensable "building-blocks" to construct functional elements for future integrated nano-photonic devices and circuits. In this paper, we demonstrate that a thick silver nanowire with well-defined end facets can provide multiple outcoupling channels, and the controllable beam splitting is realized. The propagating surface plasmons emission at nanowire end are split into two parts: I 1 and I 2 , with the polarizations nearly perpendicular to the respective emitting facets. By changing incident polarization, the splitting ratio (I 1 /I 2 ) can be tuned in the range of 1.52~0.36. Electromagnetic simulations indicate that polarization beam splitting mechanisms in this single thick nanowire are the interference of propagating surface plasmon modes and the superposition of excited dipoles at the nanowire end. These findings would deepen the understanding of manipulation of surface plasmons propagation/emission, and advance the development of plasmonic waveguide-based nano-photonic devices.