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Title: Plasmonic circular polarization analyzer formed by unidirectionally controlling surface plasmon propagation

Journal Article · · Applied Physics Letters
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4919063· OSTI ID:22398919
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  1. State Key Laboratory for Mesoscopic Physics, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871 (China)
  2. Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871 (China)

Analyzing the polarization of a circularly polarized light is a critical issue. We have fabricated a spiral nano-structure on the Au film by using focused ion beam etching technique. The fabricated structure can be used as a plasmonic circular polarization analyzer. By designing the relative orientation of two nano-apertures in the spiral structural unit, the propagation direction of the surface plasmon polaritons excited by circularly polarized light of opposite handedness can be controlled. Therefore, the spiral structure could be used to accurately determine the helicity of the excited circularly polarized light. Based on the results of scanning near-field optical microscopy, the obtained circular polarization extinction ratio of this structure was above 500. This structure can be used for a flexible detecting size and a very wide spectrum.

OSTI ID:
22398919
Journal Information:
Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 106, Issue 16; Other Information: (c) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6951
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English