European Commission Sixth Framework Programme 2002-2006
STREP project NMP4-CT-2003-505699

Surface Plasmon Photonics

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Description of project

The goal of this project is to establish the basis for a new type of photonics, one based on metallic materials rather than the traditional dielectric and semiconducting materials that dominate present day photonics technology. Metallic photonic materials demonstrate unique properties due to the existence on metals of electromagnetic surface waves known as surface plasmons. Surface plasmons are set to become part of the photonics revolution in which the interaction between light and matter is controlled by producing patterned structures that are periodic on the scale of the wavelength of light. Surface plasmons open up a wealth of new possibilities for photonics because they allow the concentration and propagation of light below the usual resolution limit, thus opening up such possibilities as sub-wavelength optical components.

The field is now at a critical stage; impressive pioneering results have been reported but doubts persist about the practical utility of using surface plasmons in the context of metallic photonic materials. In particular, the damping of surface plasmons by absorption in the metal is usually considered to be serious enough to prevent practical exploitation. This project will expand on the latest research indicating that such problems can be overcome by nano-structuring the metals involved, thus opening the way for exciting new photonic elements and devices. The project partners will provide long-term interdisciplinary research into the phenomena that underlie surface plasmon photonics, based around three technical themes. Nanostructure will be used to control the coupling between surface plasmons and light, and, in conjunction with optically active materials, to control the propagation of light. Proof-in-principle demonstration experiments relevant to optical and photonic devices that employ surface plasmons will also be undertaken.

A particular feature of the project is the strong collaboration between theoretical and experimental researchers. Through such collaboration this project will develop new knowledge and provide an ability to design metallic nano-structures for specific photonic purposes. By providing a critical assessment of the viability of surface plasmons for photonics the project will enable the potential for a new technology to be assessed.

Final project report available

This project was completed at the end of 2006. The Final Activity Report provides a summary of the project.