Focusing properties of surface plasmon polariton floating dielectric lenses

We have investigated the focusing properties of surface plasmon polariton floating dielectric lenses. An analysis of the scattering characteristics of surface plasmon polaritons using a floating dielectric block shows that the air-gap thickness between a floating dielectric block and a metal substrate can be an effective dynamic variable for modulating the amplitude and phase of the transmission coefficient of the surface plasmon polaritons. This property can be used to realize a variable-focusing surface plasmon dielectric lens with the air-gap thickness as the dynamic variable. The focusing properties of a Fresnel lens and a parabolic lens with respect to the air-gap thickness are compared and analyzed. (C) 2008 Optical Society of America.