Year: 2005
Type: article
Abstract: In this Letter, we study the scattering of light by a single subwavelength slit in a metal screen. In contrast with previous theoretical works, we provide a microscopic description of the scattering process by emphasizing the generation of surface plasmons at the slit apertures. The analysis is supported by a rigorous formalism based on a normal-mode-decomposition technique and by a semianalytical model that provides accurate formulas for the plasmonic generation strengths. The generation is shown to be fairly efficient for metals with a low conductivity, such as gold in the visible regime. Verification of the theory is also shown by comparison with recent experimental data [H. F. Schouten, Phys. Rev. Lett. 94, 053901 (2005)].
Source: Physical Review Letters
Authors: P. Lalanne, J. P. Hugonin, J. C. Rodier
Institution: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2054370029