Work

Near-field mapping of interference and propagation of surface plasmon polaritons in gold nanoislands

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The nanoscale behavior of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) in gold nanostructures is directly visualized and characterized, revealing their complex interference, dispersion, and coupling dynamics. We employ a custom near-field scanning optical microscope with stable feedback control to probe these phenomena in structures fabricated via electron-beam lithography. Our experimental observations, including detailed SPP interference patterns and angle-dependent excitation, are supported by finite-difference time-domain simulations using the Tidy3D solver. The platform’s capabilities are demonstrated through a study of gold nanoislands (approximately 58nm in diameter and 25nm in height), where a 532nm excitation laser probes the near-field response. This work provides fundamental insights into plasmonic propagation modes, offering a pathway toward advanced nanophotonic devices and highly sensitive plasmonic sensors. For instance, it shows promise for plasmonic sensing applications, specifically as a probe for local dielectric changes.

Source: Journal of Applied Physics

DOI: 10.1063/5.0313456

Authors: G. A. Martínez-Zepeda, L. F. Lastras-Martínez, M. Golibrzuch, M. Becherer, R. E. Balderas-Navarro

Institutions: Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, Technical University of Munich

Language: English

Topic: Plasmonic and Surface Plasmon Research

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,500

Funder: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft