Surface-plasmon-polariton wave guided by the periodically corrugated interface of a metal and a columnar thin film

The dispersion equation for surface plasmon-polariton (SPP) waves excited in a composite structure obtained by depositing a columnar thin film (CTF) on a metal (silver) substrate decorated periodically by an array of rectangular grooves was analyzed using rigorous coupled-wave approach. Only one solution of this dispersion equation is possible. The characteristics of the SPP wave are affected by the vapor incidence angle chosen to deposit the CTF