The interplay between localized and propagating plasmonic excitations tracked in space and time.

Lemke, Christoph; Leissner, Till; Evlyukhin, Andrey; Radke, Jörn W; Klick, Alwin; Fiutowski, Jacek; Kjelstrup-Hansen, Jakob; Rubahn, Horst-Günter et al. · Nano Lett · 2014

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

In this work, the mutual coupling and coherent interaction of propagating and localized surface plasmons within a model-type plasmonic assembly is experimentally demonstrated, imaged, and analyzed. Using interferometric time-resolved photoemission electron microscopy the interplay between ultrashort surface plasmon polariton wave packets and plasmonic nanoantennas is monitored on subfemtosecond time scales. The data reveal real-time insights into dispersion and localization of electromagnetic fields as governed by the elementary modes determining the functionality of plasmonic operation units.