Surface multiplasmonics with periodically nonhomogeneous thin films

Multiple surface plasmon-polariton (SPP) waves-all of the same frequency but with different phase speeds, attenuation rates, deg of localization to the SPP-wave-guiding interface, and spatial profiles-can be guided in a specific direction by an interface of a metal and a dielectric material that is periodically nonhomogeneous along the normal to the interface. The partnering dielectric material can be isotropic or anisotropic. Whereas the solution of the canonical boundary-value problem is the best way to characterize these SPP waves, solutions of the Turbadar-Kretschmann-Raether and the grating-coupled configurations-involving periodically nonhomogeneous thin films-assist in the practical launching of multiple SPP waves. The possibility of exciting multiple SPP waves promises multianalyte chemical sensors, multichannel communication, and enhanced efficiency of thin-film solar cells.