Two-dimensional plasmonic eigenmode nanolocalization in an inhomogeneous metal-dielectric-metal slot waveguide

We show that transverse, with respect to the propagation direction, local narrowing of a metal-dielectric-metal plasmonic slot waveguide leads to a two-dimensional surface plasmon nanolocalization and can squeeze the plasmon eigenmode into a spot with a characteristic size of about several tens of nanometers. We demonstrate that the simultaneous waveguide tapering and decreasing transverse narrowing scale make possible an enhancement of the plasmon propagation distance in comparison with the homogeneous waveguide. We also find the fundamental limit of 2D plasmon nanolocalization, which is of the same order as the depth of penetration of the electromagnetic field into a metal which is actually independent of the field frequency in the near infrared domain.