The photon propagation paradox, ultrathin condensers, and plasmonic dual-space nanoscopes

5^th International Conference and Exhibition on Lasers, Optics & Photonics

November 28-30, 2016 Atlanta, USA

Luis Grave de Peralta

Texas Tech University, USA

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Laser Opt Photonics

Abstract :

Excitation, detection, and control of surface plasmon polaritons (SPP) have found numerous practical applications. However, SPPs are also invaluable for understanding the nature of light. Does single-photon SPPs exist? Do photons describe trajectories when they move? Do photons follow the lines of electromagnetic energy flow? Do photons pass through all points between point A and point B when they travel from A to B? These and others basic questions that are explored in the experiments with SPPs described here. In this experiment, SPPs are excited on a sample fabricated in top of a coverslip. An inverted microscope with two cameras is used for obtaining the images that are formed in the real and Fourier plane of the microscope. The light used for imaging is leakage radiation associated to the excited SPPs. In addition, it is discussed how the discovery of plasmonic ultrathin condensers in combination with dual-space microscopy, a novel phase-recovery imaging technique based on the dual observation of the sample in the position and momentum spaces, may conduct for the development of plasmonic dual-space nanoscopes.

Biography :

Email: luis.grave-de-peralta@ttu.edu