Abstract

We experimentally demonstrate mode-selective excitation of laser-written dielectric-loaded surface plasmon polariton waveguides. The waveguide structures are fabricated by two-photon polymerization of spin-coatable epoxy-based resist on a metal covered glass slide. The waveguides are excited by illuminating the waveguide ends with a strongly focused Gaussian laser beam with a wavelength of 632.8 nm and adjustable polarization. The guiding properties are investigated in the far field by imaging the leakage radiation of the waveguide modes from the metal-substrate interface. It is observed that different TE and TM waveguide modes can be selectively excited with high precision. Simultaneous excitation of the plasmonic TM₀₀ and TM₀₁ modes leads to mode beating and oscillation of the guided intensity between the two sides of the waveguides. In Y-splitters, this simultaneous excitation of the first two TM modes can be used to control the splitting ratio at the exit ports of the splitter.

© 2009 Optical Society of America

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History
Original Manuscript: August 13, 2009
Manuscript Accepted: August 16, 2009
Published: September 28, 2009

References

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Author Affiliations

Carsten Reinhardt, Andreas Seidel, Andrey B. Evlyukhin, Wei Cheng, Boris N. Chichkov

Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V., Hollerithallee 8, D-30419, Hannover, Germany

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