Spinoptics: spin symmetry breaking in plasmonic nanostructures

Erez Hasman; Yuri Gorodetski; Nir Shitrit; Itay Bretner; Avi Niv; Vladimir Kleiner

doi:10.1117/12.828941

2 September 2009 Spinoptics: spin symmetry breaking in plasmonic nanostructures

Erez Hasman, Yuri Gorodetski, Nir Shitrit, Itay Bretner, Avi Niv, Vladimir Kleiner

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Proceedings Volume 7394, Plasmonics: Metallic Nanostructures and Their Optical Properties VII; 73941W (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.828941
Event: SPIE NanoScience + Engineering, 2009, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The spin-Hall effect - the influence of the intrinsic spin on the electron trajectory, which produces transverse deflection of the electrons, is a central tenet in the field of spintronics. Apparently, the handedness of the light's polarization (optical spin up/down) may provide an additional degree of freedom in nanoscale photonics. The direct observation of optical spin-Hall effect that appears when a wave carrying spin angular momentum interacts with plasmonic nanostructures is presented. The measurements verify the unified geometric phase, demonstrated by the observed spin-dependent deflection of the surface waves as well as spin-dependent enhanced transmission through coaxial nanoapertures even in rotationally symmetric structures. Moreover, spin-orbit interaction is demonstrated by use of inhomogeneous and anisotropic subwavelength dielectric structures. The observed effects inspire one to investigate other spin-based plasmonic effects and to propose a new generation of optical elements for nanophotonic applications.

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Erez Hasman, Yuri Gorodetski, Nir Shitrit, Itay Bretner, Avi Niv, and Vladimir Kleiner "Spinoptics: spin symmetry breaking in plasmonic nanostructures", Proc. SPIE 7394, Plasmonics: Metallic Nanostructures and Their Optical Properties VII, 73941W (2 September 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.828941

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