Surface plasmons (SPs) are surface waves at the interface between a dielectric and a good metal, and are formed by the interaction between light and the free electrons at the metal-dielectric... Show moreSurface plasmons (SPs) are surface waves at the interface between a dielectric and a good metal, and are formed by the interaction between light and the free electrons at the metal-dielectric interface. They provide strong field confinement for optical fields, opening new possibilities for enhanced light-matter interaction. We combine SPs with a semiconductor gain layer and a resonator for SPs to create a SP-laser. The resonator for SPs is created by scattering on an array of holes in the gold film, i.e., a metal hole array. In this thesis, we describe experiments on SP propagation and SP lasing in active two-dimensional metal hole arrays operating at telecom wavelengths. A resonator for SPs is created by scattering on an array of holes in the gold film. We have studied such active hole arrays with square and hexagonal lattice symmetries both below and above their lasing threshold. We have investigated the role of the symmetry of the lattice on the SP propagation and SP lasing. We have explored the laser frequencies and the feedback mechanism of these SP lasers, and observed the spatial profile and direction of the emitted laser beams. Show less
