Surface Plasmon-polaritons on an Anisotropic Substrate

The case of a surface plasmon-polariton (excited by transverse magnetic light) propagating at the interface between an isotropic metal (silver) and an anisotropic (uniaxial) substrate is considered. The field distribution within the system is illustrated when the optic axis of the substrate is not orthogonal in the plane of light propagation. It is seen that in this case a component of the electric field perpendicular to the plane of propagation exists, and in certain circumstances this can become a propagating transverse electric mode. Thus a transverse electric re-radiation occurs, which is enhanced by the surface plasmon resonance, this could form the basis of an electro-optic switch using the anisotropic properties of a liquid crystal layer.