MICROSCOPY Vol.44▶No.4 2009
â– Reviews

Surface Plasmon Studied by Transmission Electron Microscopy-Cathodoluminescence Technique

Naoki Yamamoto, Takahiro Suzuki and Kengo Takeuchi

Abstract: Surface plasmon (SP) is converted to photon when propagating on surface nano-structures such as steps and periodic structures with sub-wavelength intervals. We newly developed an angle resolved light detection system for TEM-CL, and measured surface plasmon induced light emission. Dispersion curve of SPP on an Ag surface was derived from the angle resolved spectrum images. Standing wave patterns of SPP on plasmonic crystals were visualized in the spectrum image taken at a proper emission angle. This technique can be applied to light emission phenomena induced by SP, and provides a powerful tool to characterize SP on nano-plasmonic structures in high spatial resolution.

Key words: transmission electron microscopy, cathodoluminescence, surface plasmon, plasmonics, nano-structure