Nanoscale momentum transport by dual plasmonic vortex design

Abstract

We apply ultrafast nanoscale microscopic imaging and analytical modeling to investigate the coherent field and spin textures of dual plasmonic vortices as a means to design the momentum flow, and spin topology by interaction of their gyrating fields. The ultrafast laser normal incidence illumination by circularly polarized light of two vortex generator structures with variable separations in silver films launches structured surface plasmon polariton fields. Two distinct primary vortices and a third emergent vortex, generated by interaction of the primary vortices and tunable by design of their separation, form through the spin–orbit interaction of light. The gyration of plasmon fields and the consequent vectorial Poynting momentum flow is imaged with sub-optical cycle phase and spatial resolution by interferometric time-resolved two-photon photoemission electron microscopy (ITR-2P-PEEM). The ultrafast imaging and analytical modeling of the interaction of the dual plasmonic vortices examines the nanoscale control of plasmon spin topology and momentum driven transport.