Pump-probe optical switching in prism-coupled Au:SiO2 nanocomposite waveguide film

The resonance properties due to the surface plasmon excitation of metal nanoparticles make the nanocomposite films promising for various applications such as optical switching devices. In spite of the well-known ultrasensitive operation of optical switches based on a guided wave, the application of nanocomposite film has inherent limitation originating from the excessive optical loss related to the surface plasmon resonance. In this study, we address this problem and present the experimental and theoretical analyses on the pump-probe optical switching in prism-coupled Au(1 vol %):SiO2 nanocomposite waveguide film. (C) 2007 American Institute of Physics.