Plasmonic circuitry is considered as a promising solution-effectivetechnology for miniaturizing and integrating the next generation ofoptical nano-devices. The realization of a practical plasmonic circuitry strongly depends on the complete understanding of the propagation properties of two key elements: surface plasmons and electrons. The critical part constituting the plasmonic circuitry is a waveguide which can sustain the two information-carriers simultaneously. Therefore, we present in this thesis the investigations on the propagation of surface plasmons and the co-propagation of surface plasmons and electrons in single crystalline metal nanowires. This thesis is therefore divided into two parts. In the first part, we investigate surface plasmons propagating in individual thick penta-twinned crystalline silver nanowires using dual-plane leakage radiation microscopy. The effective index and the losses of the mode are determined by measuring the wave vector content of the light emitted in the substrate. Surface plasmon mode is determined by numerical simulations and an analogy is drawn with molecular orbitals compound with similar symmetry. Leaky and bound modes selected by polarization inhomogeneity are demonstrated. We further investigate the effect of wire geometry (length, diameter) on the effective index and propagation losses. On the basis of the results obtained during the first part, we further investigate the effect of an electron flow on surface plasmon properties. We investigate to what extend surface plasmons and current-carrying electrons interfere in such a shared circuitry. By synchronously recording surface plasmons and electrical output characteristics of single crystalline silver and gold nanowires, we determine the limiting factors hindering the co-propagation of electrical current and surface plasmons in these nanoscale circuits. Analysis of wave vector distributions in Fourier images indicates that the effect of current flow on surface plasmons propagation is reflected by the morphological change during the electromigration process. We further investigate the possible crosstalk between co-propagating electrons and surface plasmons by applying alternating current bias

Pas de résumé en français / Plasmonic circuitry is considered as a promising solution-effectivetechnology for miniaturizing and integrating the next generation ofoptical nano-devices. The realization of a practical plasmonic circuitry strongly depends on the complete understanding of the propagation properties of two key elements: surface plasmons and electrons. The critical part constituting the plasmonic circuitry is a waveguide which can sustain the two information-carriers simultaneously. Therefore, we present in this thesis the investigations on the propagation of surface plasmons and the co-propagation of surface plasmons and electrons in single crystalline metal nanowires. This thesis is therefore divided into two parts. In the first part, we investigate surface plasmons propagating in individual thick penta-twinned crystalline silver nanowires using dual-plane leakage radiation microscopy. The effective index and the losses of the mode are determined by measuring the wave vector content of the light emitted in the substrate. Surface plasmon mode is determined by numerical simulations and an analogy is drawn with molecular orbitals compound with similar symmetry. Leaky and bound modes selected by polarization inhomogeneity are demonstrated. We further investigate the effect of wire geometry (length, diameter) on the effective index and propagation losses. On the basis of the results obtained during the first part, we further investigate the effect of an electron flow on surface plasmon properties. We investigate to what extend surface plasmons and current-carrying electrons interfere in such a shared circuitry. By synchronously recording surface plasmons and electrical output characteristics of single crystalline silver and gold nanowires, we determine the limiting factors hindering the co-propagation of electrical current and surface plasmons in these nanoscale circuits. Analysis of wave vector distributions in Fourier images indicates that the effect of current flow on surface plasmons propagation is reflected by the morphological change during the electromigration process. We further investigate the possible crosstalk between co-propagating electrons and surface plasmons by applying alternating current bias