Experimental Technique, Sample Fabrication and Models for Data Analysis

In this chapter the experimental technique used is described. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy allows one to perform reflectivity and transmittance measurements as a function of frequency in awide spectral range, from the far infrared to the ultraviolet. Through Kramers-Kronig transformations it is possible to calculate the linear optical response functions of the material. In this sections the experimental apparatus is also described and the models used to analyze both the reflectivity and transmittance data are discussed. The last part is dedicated to a brief description of the fabrication of plasmonic devises based on TI thin films and to the fitting of the data.