The theory of attenuated total reflection by surface polaritons on corrugated semi-infinite media

Abstract

The experimental techniques of attenuated total reflection and grating-coupling were originally employed separately as probes for surface polaritons. However, as far back as the mid-1970s, some value was found in actually combining them into a single tool for probing elementary surface excitations. In this article, the theory of the two methods combined into one probe for surface polaritons is presented. The main results of the calculations, here, are the firstorder diffuse reflectivities, which arise due to the presence of a classical grating. For the ease of presentation, only a semi-infinite specimen is considered and the grating is thought to be deposited only on one interface. The discussion highlights the advantages the combined technique has over either of the two methods when each is employed on its own.