A PMMA-metal lamella grating based surface plasmon resonance device

Recently, a lot of interests have been focused on surface plasmon resonance (SPR), generated by the charge density oscillation existing on the interface between dielectric and metal surface. This particular surface wave has been widely used for sub-wavelength scale photonic circuits, fluorescence microscopy, bio-sensing devices, and photonic display applications. Also, it has a lot of potentials from holographic optical devices to holographic display applications. The measurement of SPR can be simply evaluated by the well-known Kretchmann-Raether attenuated total reflection geometry using angle multiplexing of the incident wave. Based on these concepts, we propose and analyze a plasmon-coupled waveguide and a polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) metal thin film grating structure for optical beam coupling and splitting applications. For efficient beam coupling and splitting, we analyze the SPR phenomenon and design plasmon-coupled waveguide structures and the grating structures. To form the PMMA-metal lamella grating structure, we inscribe the grating on the PMMA layer by using excimer laser with the wavelength of 244nm. Then, we deposit gold on the PMMA grating. Finally some experimental results, discussion, and its practical photonic applications are provided.