RESOLUTION AND SENSITIVITY IN SURFACE-PLASMON MICROSCOPY AND SENSING

The use of surface plasmons on planar surfaces for the characterisatio n of those surfaces is analysed. In particular, analytic expressions a re derived for the sensitivity of such characterisation to the variati on of bulk refractive indices, and to the addition of thin dielectric layers on the plasmon supporting surface. Comparison between surface p lasmon and dielectric waveguide techniques is made. Surface plasmon mi croscopy is then considered, and relationships between sensitivity and resolution are derived. The interaction of plasmons with surface feat ures is considered, and the effects in imaging of step and periodic fe atures are specifically analysed. Other aspects relating to implementa tion and possible improvements to the technique are discussed.