Scattering of light by a nanowire grating on a dielectric slab

Interaction of light with the metallic nanostructures gives rise to various novel effects in photonics and optoelectronics [1]. Research of surface plasmons and their excitation by light is of particular interest in the studies of metamaterials, optical antennas, plasmonic sensors, and plasmonic crystals. The enhanced surface plasmon resonance in noble metallic systems at optical frequencies is expected to be a promising issue for realizing excellent scatterers and absorbers of the visible light. The surface plasmons characterize the unique response in collective motions of electrons on a metal-dielectric interface, which is allowed when the permittivity of the metal is negative for the wavelength of excitation. Recently, much attention has been paid to the light scattering from periodic nanowires coupled to a layered dielectric structure [2] for their applications to optical sensors, imaging, and integrated devices.