Nonlinear plasmon-photon interactions with two-colour k-space spectroscopy

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We will investigate the fundamentals of sub-wavelength, fully plasmon-based nonlinear optical processes with the aim of understanding the microscopic origins of nonlinear plasmon-photon interaction and theirdependence on mode hybridization and adiabatic conversion. We will develop and apply the powerful method of two-color k-space spectroscopy with femtosecond laser pulses. This method gives precise measurements ofthe propagation constants of surface plasmons, and yields information on the dynamics of plasmon-plasmon and plasmon-photon interactions. Furthermore, by using a pair of non-degenerate pump pulses, we canexamine optical parametric and four-wave mixing processes and identify the type of plasmon-photon interactions that drive it. The acquired knowledge will be used to develop concepts leading to the demonstration of such compelling devices as a high efficiency "throughput coupler" (combining in- and outcoupling on-a-chip) between confined plasmon modes in nanostructures and far-field optical modes. The dynamics and efficiency of surface plasmon coupling and plasmon propagation in ultrathin metallic films which support mode hybridization will be investigated. A plasmon-based quantum-correlated photon source is the ultimate vision of the project.