Surface plasmon resonance in conducting metal oxides

We report the initial observation of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) in a conducting metal oxide thin film. The SPR phenomenon has been observed by attenuated total reflection of near-infrared radiation and is in agreement with electron energy loss spectroscopy measurements. To date, only metals are known to exhibit surface plasmon resonance and only noble metals have practical application. According to theory SPR should be observable in any conductor. This theoretical prediction is verified in the present study. The compositions of many conducting metal oxides are systematically variable, suggesting a significant advance in thin film characterization and innovative possibilities for versatile and sensitive chemical sensing applications. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.