One-dimensional surface-plasmon gratings for the excitation of intersubband polaritons in suspended membranes

We present the observation of the strong light-matter coupling regime between intersubband transitions of semiconductor quantum wells and the plasmonic-like resonances of a one dimensional metallic grating. Polariton spectra have been recorded in transmission employing a suspended membrane sample and are consistent with theoretical calculations. This arrangement, avoiding the complexity of dispersive substrate, is particularly attractive for the development of time-resolved pump-probe experiments. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.