OPTICAL METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MODIFYING MATERIAL CHARACTERISTICS USING SURFACE PLASMON POLARITON PROPAGATION

摘要

A method and system modify a material's characteristics. A first material has at least one characteristic that changes in the presence of electromagnetic energy, and a second material is positioned such that it is in contact with the first material. The second material is electrically conductive and sustains Surface Plasmon Polariton (SPP) excitation and propagation when electromagnetic radiation is coupled thereto. A diffraction grating is disposed at a planar region defined by one of the second material and a composite of the first material and second material. A beam of electromagnetic radiation is directed towards the diffraction grating at an acute angle with respect to the planar region. The electromagnetic radiation incident on the diffraction grating is coupled to the second material whereby SPP propagation generates an electromagnetic wave incident on at least a portion of the first material to thereby change its characteristics.