Ultrafast acousto-magneto-plasmonics

• DOI: 10.1038/nphoton.2012.220
• Publication Date: 2012-11-05T12:30:48Z
• Authors: Vasily V. Temnov
• Keywords: Nanophotonics

Surface plasmon–polaritons are electromagnetic waves that propagate along metal–dielectric interfaces and exist over a wide range of frequencies. They have become popular research tools owing to their subwavelength confinement and potential ability to perform ultrasensitive optical measurements. Driven by tremendous progress in nanofabrication techniques and ultrafast laser technologies, the applications of surface plasmon–polariton nano-optics extend beyond nanoplasmonics. In this Review, we discuss how the use of hybrid multilayer structures combining different functionalities allows the development of active plasmonic devices and new metrologies. Magneto-plasmonics, acousto-plasmonics and the generation of high-energy photoelectrons using ultrashort surface plasmon–polariton pulses are all examples of how the combination of ideas developed in these individual fields can be used to generate new knowledge, leading to a range of exciting applications in nanophotonics. Surface plasmon polaritons have become popular because of their sub-wavelength confinement and the possibility to perform ultrasensitive optical measurements. This article reviews the development of active plasmonic devices and new metrologies using hybrid multilayer structures combining with the magnetic, acoustic and ultrafast effects.