Abstract
Background: 'Plasmonics’ dealing with localized surface plasmon resonances in metal nanoparticles (nanostructures) and planar metal-dielectric interfaces is a rapidly developing field and is under recent intensive investigations owing to fundamental interests and numerous potential applications. In this regard, the polarization properties of scattered light from plasmonic systems are of paramount importance for gaining fundamental understanding on a number of interesting and intricate polarization optical effects and for their potential applications. Coupling and inter-conversion between the spin (SAM, circular / elliptical polarization) and orbital angular momentum (OAM, phase vortex) degrees of freedom of light leading to the so-called spin orbit interaction (SOI) of light, is one such intriguing spin (polarization) optical effect that has recently been observed in diverse plasmonic systems. These have received particular attention because of their potential applications towards development of novel spin-controlled nanophotonic devices.
Objective: Here, we briefly review the basic concepts of SOI, the resulting spin optical effects and their manifestations in diverse nano-plasmonic systems. Method: Mueller matrix spectroscopic system is developed and utilized for probing and tuning spindependent plasmonics effects. Results: We provide illustrative results on controlled enhancement of the SOI effects in plasmonic nanostructures. The specifics of a novel dark field Mueller matrix spectroscopic experimental system and the representative results of studies using this system on the SOI and other spin-based plasmonics effects are presented. Conclusion: The implications of these results towards spin-controlled photonic applications are discussed.Keywords: Plasmonics, plamon resonance, spin orbit interaction, spin hall effect of light, polarimetry, Fano resonance.
Graphical Abstract
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