SPP tomography experiments with surface plasmon polariton standing waves

Surface plasmon polariton (SPP) standing waves were observed using SPP tomography. We show that SPP tomography in a quantum eraser arrangement has the remarkable capability of permitting the observation of light passing through the dark fringes of the observed standing wave interference pattern. Classical and phenomenological quantum descriptions of the experiments are presented. The experimental results are discussed in the broader context of novel active magnetic–optical metamaterials and the use of electromagnetic standing waves to study magnetic properties of materials at optical frequencies.