| 초록 |
Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) are electromagnetic waves that propagate along metallic surfaces. Since SPPs can be excited at optical frequencies and interact with light, they can be utilized for various optical devices. However, the exploitation of SPPs has been restricted due to the SPP losses by the surface inhomogeneity of the metallic films. Here we introduce an effective approach, “epitaxial growth”, to reduce the SPP losses on metallic films. Using this technique, single-crystalline metallic films that are optically thick with extremely flat surfaces could be obtained. The films showed improved dielectric properties, resulting in a longer SPP propagation distance. In addition, uniform crystalline nature and a smooth surface of the films allowed precise patterning of nanostructures. Consequently, ultrasmooth single-crystalline metallic films produced by an epitaxial growth method can provide plasmonic devices with enhanced performance. |
