On the simulated interactions between surface plasmons and buried two-dimensional electron gases

The surface waves associated with Surface Plasmons (SPs) were derived for one-dimensional electromagnetic scattering. In particular, the surface wave amplitudes stemming from the excitation of SPs in the often-cited Kretschmann-Raether system are provided. Furthermore, standing surface waves introduced via binary gratings were also derived using the Rigorous Coupled-Wave Analysis (RCWA). These electric fields were then simulated at optical and far infrared frequencies via MATLAB. An AlGaN/GaN HEMT was simulated under standard operating variables using the Silvaco ATLAS software package. The formation of a Two-Dimensional Electron Gas (2DEG) layer resulted in a roughly 5nm deep region of free carriers, with a complex permittivity determined citing the phenomenological fluid model of the effective mass equation. Many-layered electromagnetic scattering was then performed including the presence of the AlGaN/GaN HEMT under nominal SP excitation conditions. Various combinations of real and lossy permittivity layers were then analyzed for maximum electric field amplitude within the 2DEG layer. Even in the presence of multiple lossy media, the electric fields within the 2DEG layer were often significant when compared to that of the incident electromagnetic radiation. The exploitation of these interactions between the SP and 2DEG electric fields could lead to the development of novel sensors and high frequency optoelectronic devices.