Surface plasmon microscopic characterization of external surfaces

Surface plasmon microscopy (SPM) is used, for the first time, to image external samples with a surface relief structure. This is demonstrated in an experimental coupling setup which combines elements of both the Otto and the Kretschmann configuration. The contrast is shown to be generated between areas of different surface plasmon excitation efficiencies. It is shown that periodic surface structures also can be read-out in Fourier-space by surface plasmon diffraction. Finally, Fresnel calculations are presented that demonstrate the contrast improvement achievable by immersion SPM using a suitable liquid.