Direct observation of guided-mode interference in polymer-loaded plasmonic waveguide

We report a direct observation of guided-mode interference in polymer-loaded plasmonic waveguides by the technique of leakage radiation microscopy (LRM). Spatial beating patterns of the interferences were clearly characterized with respect to different structural parameters, and the interference properties were analyzed in detail. Besides, the capability of LRM for characterizing the multiple modes was also discussed extensively. Our finding not only offers an efficient technique in analyzing the guided modes and their interference, but also provides a definite guideline in evaluating the validity of LRM and deepens further studies on the dielectric-loaded hybrid waveguide system.