Partial loss compensation in dielectric-loaded plasmonic waveguides at near infra-red wavelengths

We report on the fabrication and characterization of straight dielectric-loaded surface plasmon polaritons waveguides doped with lead-sulfide quantum dots as a near infra-red gain medium. A loss compensation of similar to 33% (an optical gain of similar to 143 cm(-1)) was observed in the guided mode. The mode propagation, coupling efficiency and stimulated emission were characterized using leakage radiation microscopy. The guided mode signature was separated using spatial filters in the Fourier plane of the microscope for quantitative measurements of stimulated emission. (C) 2012 Optical Society of America