Sub-wavelength plasmon polaritons channeling of whispering gallery modes of fluorescent silica microresonator

Abstract

Herein, we report sub-wavelength propagation and directional out-coupling of whispering gallery modes (WGMs) of a fluorescent silica microsphere resonator mediated via plasmon polaritons in a single crystalline silver nanowire. Fluorescent spectral signatures of emission from the nanowire ends confirm efficient guiding of WGMs via nanowire plasmons. By employing Fourier plane optical microscopy, we reveal and quantify the directional fluorescence emission of WGMs from the ends of the nanowire. Given that the discussed geometry is self-assembled from a solution-phase, our results will find relevance in WGM-based soft-photonic platforms including miniaturized optical resonators and couplers.