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Title: Quantum theory of surface-plasmon polariton scattering

Abstract

We introduce the quantum mechanical formalism for treating surface plasmon polariton scattering at an interface. Our developed theory--which differs fundamentally from the analogous photonic scenario--is used to investigate the possibility of plasmonic beam splitters at the quantum level. Remarkably, we find that a wide range of splitting ratios can be reached. As an application, we characterize a 50:50 plasmonic beam splitter and investigate first-order quantum interference of surface plasmon polaritons. The results of this theoretical study show that surface plasmon beam splitters are able to reliably and efficiently operate in the quantum domain.

Authors:
 [1]; ;  [1]
  1. School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University, Belfast BT7 1NN (United Kingdom)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
21456931
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Physical Review. A
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 82; Journal Issue: 1; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.82.012325; (c) 2010 The American Physical Society; Journal ID: ISSN 1050-2947
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY; 71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS; BEAM SPLITTING; INTERFACES; INTERFERENCE; PLASMONS; POLARONS; QUANTUM MECHANICS; QUANTUM STATES; SCATTERING; SURFACES; MECHANICS; QUASI PARTICLES

Citation Formats

Ballester, D, Tame, M S, Kim, M S, Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Imperial College London, SW7 2PG, and QOLS, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, Prince Consort Road, SW7 2BW. Quantum theory of surface-plasmon polariton scattering. United States: N. p., 2010. Web. doi:10.1103/PHYSREVA.82.012325.
Ballester, D, Tame, M S, Kim, M S, Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Imperial College London, SW7 2PG, & QOLS, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, Prince Consort Road, SW7 2BW. Quantum theory of surface-plasmon polariton scattering. United States. https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVA.82.012325
Ballester, D, Tame, M S, Kim, M S, Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Imperial College London, SW7 2PG, and QOLS, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, Prince Consort Road, SW7 2BW. 2010. "Quantum theory of surface-plasmon polariton scattering". United States. https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVA.82.012325.
@article{osti_21456931,
title = {Quantum theory of surface-plasmon polariton scattering},
author = {Ballester, D and Tame, M S and Kim, M S and Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Imperial College London, SW7 2PG and QOLS, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, Prince Consort Road, SW7 2BW},
abstractNote = {We introduce the quantum mechanical formalism for treating surface plasmon polariton scattering at an interface. Our developed theory--which differs fundamentally from the analogous photonic scenario--is used to investigate the possibility of plasmonic beam splitters at the quantum level. Remarkably, we find that a wide range of splitting ratios can be reached. As an application, we characterize a 50:50 plasmonic beam splitter and investigate first-order quantum interference of surface plasmon polaritons. The results of this theoretical study show that surface plasmon beam splitters are able to reliably and efficiently operate in the quantum domain.},
doi = {10.1103/PHYSREVA.82.012325},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/21456931}, journal = {Physical Review. A},
issn = {1050-2947},
number = 1,
volume = 82,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Jul 15 00:00:00 EDT 2010},
month = {Thu Jul 15 00:00:00 EDT 2010}
}