Abstract

We report the observation of $p$-polarized guided waves that propagate confined to the surface of a two-dimensional array of silver (Ag) nanoparticles of average particle diameter and film thickness of approximately 400 and 154 nm, respectively, and comparable interparticle spacing. We interpret resonant features in the attenuated total reflection angular spectrum as arising from the excitation of guided waves in our discontinuous samples. The excitation of these waves is a direct consequence of the interaction of the light field with the localized resonance of the conduction electrons in the individual metal nanoparticles.

© 2000 Optical Society of America

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