SPP Excitation Using Extremely Low Intensity Light

We present the results of experiments designed to create and detect Surface Plasmon Polaritons (SPP) using low intensity light such that SPP excitation is achieved under extremely low intensity condition. This is accomplished using an experimental apparatus which utilizes a laser-intensity varying system, a PMMA on gold on glass sample, and a Single Photon Counting Module (SPCM). We image the characteristic SPP propagation ring using a typical CCD camera and find the corresponding peak intensities using low intensity pump methods and the SPCM.