Integrated fiber-coupled launcher for slow plasmon-polariton waves

We propose and numerically demonstrate an integrated fiber-coupled launcher for slow surface plasmon-polaritons. The device is based on a novel plasmonic mode-converter providing efficient power transfer from the fast to the slow modes of a metallic nanostripe. Total coupling efficiency with standard single-mode fiber approaching 30% ( including ohmic losses) has been numerically predicted for a 25-mu m long gold-based device operating at 1.55 mu m telecom wavelength. (C)2012 Optical Society of America