Surface Wave Analysis of Planar-Type Overdense Plasma with Surface Plasmon Polariton Resonance

Abstract

Surface waves (SWs) in planar-type overdense plasmas are analyzed and the invariable SW mode caused by the resonant excitation of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) is presented. It is found that the electric field peaks at the location where the plasma density equals the cut-off density while the plasma density gradient and the collision rate have different influences on the field amplitude and the peak's width. Moreover, the mode conversion between SW of SPPs and electron plasma waves play a significant role in production of overdense plasma.