title: Optical performance and metallic absorption in nanoplasmonic systems.
abstract: Optical metrics relating to metallic absorption in representative plasmonic systems are surveyed, with a view to developing heuristics for optimizing performance over a range of applications. We use the real part of the permittivity as the independent variable; consider strengths of particle resonances, resolving power of planar lenses, and guiding lengths of planar waveguides; and compare nearly-free-electron metals including Al, Cu, Ag, Au, Li, Na, and K. Whilst the imaginary part of metal permittivity has a strong damping effect, field distribution is equally important and thus factors including geometry, real permittivity and frequency must be considered when selecting a metal. Al performs well at low permittivities (e.g. sphere resonances, superlenses) whereas Au & Ag only perform well at very negative permittivities (shell and rod resonances, LRSPP). The alkali metals perform well overall but present engineering challenges.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Nanoscale Technology, Department of Physics and Applied Materials, University of Technology Sydney,PO Box 123 Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia. Matthew.Arnold-1@uts.edu.au
authors.forename: Matthew D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.forename: Martin G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Blaber