Scattering of surface electromagnetic waves at an interface between a metal and a liquid crystal

Theoretical and experimental investigations were made of the scattering of surface electromagnetic waves at an interface between a metal and a liquid crystal in metal–insulator–metal–liquid crystal structures. Surface electromagnetic waves were created as a result of electron tunneling in the metal–insulator–metal part of a structure and these waves were scattered by a periodic inhomogeneity of the permittivity of the liquid crystal.