Elastic multiple scattering of surface plasmon polaritons: studies with a near-field optical microscope

Elastic tin the plane) scattering of surface plasmon polaritons is experime ntally and theoretically investigated. Near-field optical images exhibited rather bright round spots that may be directly related to the phenomenon of strong SPP localization. Numerical simulations carried out have well repro duced the overall appearance of the observed hot spots. A calculated optica l enhancement of several orders of magnitude larger than the average intens ity field was found. An SPP microcomponent for two-dimensional SPP micro-op tics was numerically carried out.