Dipole-induced localized plasmon modes and resonant surface plasmon scattering

Abstract

A metal film supports the continuum of propagating surface plasmon waves. The interaction of these waves with a dipole (nanoparticle) positioned some distance from the surface of the film can produce well defined localized plasmon modes whose frequency nonetheless resides inside the continuum. This leads to the resonant enhancement of scattering of surface plasmons off the dipole. The maximum of scattering is found to occur when the distance from the dipole to the surface of the film is equal to one half of the film thickness. The possibility of controllable plasmon scattering could be advantageous for the field of nanoplasmonics.