Surface plasmon polariton propagation around bends at a metal-dielectric interface

We analyze theoretically the propagation of surface plasmon polaritons about a metallic corner with a finite bend radius, using a one-dimensional model analogous to the scattering from a finite-depth potential well. We obtain expressions for the energy reflection and transmission coefficients in the short wavelength limit, as well as an upper bound for the transmittance. In certain cases we find that propagation on nonplanar interfaces may result in lower losses than on flat surfaces, contrary to expectation. In addition, we also find that the maximum transmittance depends nonmonotonously on the bend radius, allowing increased transmission with decreasing radius. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.