Electromagnetic Green's function for layered systems: Applications to nanohole interactions in thin metal films

Abstract

We derive expressions for the electromagnetic Green's function for a layered system using a transfer matrix technique. The expressions we arrive at make it possible to study symmetry properties of the Green's function, such as reciprocity symmetry, and the long-range properties of the Green's function which involves plasmon waves as well as boundary waves, also known as Norton waves. We apply the method by calculating the light-scattering cross section off a chain of nanoholes in a thin Au film. The results highlight the importance of nanohole interactions mediated by surface plasmon propagating along the chain of holes. © 2011 American Physical Society.