Abstract

The effect of weak nonlinearities on the surface polariton supported by the interface between vacuum and a free-electron metal is investigated. The free-electron metal is described by relativistically correct hydrodynamic equations of motion. The cubic Schrödinger equation governing the long-time slow modulation of the amplitude of the surface polariton is deduced rigorously by a singular perturbation procedure. The surface polariton is, in general, unstable to this nonlinear wave modulation.

© 1989 Optical Society of America

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