title: Molecular coupling of light with plasmonic waveguides.
abstract: We use molecules to couple light into and out of microscale plasmonic waveguides. Energy transfer, mediated by surface plasmons, from donor molecules to acceptor molecules over ten micrometer distances is demonstrated. Also surface plasmon coupled emission from the donor molecules is observed at similar distances away from the excitation spot. The lithographic fabrication method we use for positioning the dye molecules allows scaling to nanometer dimensions. The use of molecules as couplers between far-field and near-field light offers the advantages that no special excitation geometry is needed, any light source can be used to excite plasmons and the excitation can be localized below the diffraction limit. Moreover, the use of molecules has the potential for integration with molecular electronics and for the use of molecular self-assembly in fabrication. Our results constitute a proof-of-principle demonstration of a plasmonic waveguide where signal in- and outcoupling is done by molecules.
authors: Anton
authors: A
authors: Kuzyk
authors: Mika
authors: M
authors: Pettersson
authors: J J
authors: JJ
authors: Toppari
authors: Tommi K
authors: TK
authors: Hakala
authors: Hanna
authors: H
authors: Tikkanen
authors: Henrik
authors: H
authors: Kunttu
authors: Päivi
authors: P
authors: Törmä