Can Relative Permittivity of Aluminum Be Calculated from Its Plasma Frequency?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the determination of the relative permittivity of aluminum, particularly in the context of its plasma frequency and its implications for designing nanoscale plasmonic structures. Participants explore the relationship between plasma frequency and permittivity, as well as methods for obtaining permittivity values for metals.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about calculating the relative permittivity of aluminum using its plasma frequency, specifically referencing a frequency related to visible light.
  • Another participant suggests that the relative permittivity of a metal is essentially infinite, but acknowledges that this is not the case in the optical region.
  • A different participant notes that there are papers reporting measurements on the dielectric response of aluminum as a function of frequency.
  • One participant asserts that the permittivity of metals is finite at non-zero frequencies and cites a reference to support this claim.
  • Another participant recalls that permittivity values can be obtained from ellipsometry measurements.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of the relative permittivity of metals, particularly aluminum, with some asserting it is infinite under certain conditions while others argue it is finite at non-zero frequencies. The discussion does not reach a consensus on the methods for determining permittivity.

Contextual Notes

There are references to specific frequencies and measurement techniques, but the discussion does not resolve the assumptions regarding the conditions under which permittivity is considered infinite or finite.

minerva
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Consider a metal such as Al.
How do we look up or determine the relative permittivity of the metal?

Suppose we have some known incident frequency, say about c/500nm for visible light.
We can look up the bulk plasma frequency (3.7 PHz for Al), can it be calculated from that?

For context, what I want to calculate is the desired hole diameter and geometry as a function of the desired filter centre wavelength, in a nanoscale plasmonic hole-grid structure like this.

https://www.intechopen.com/books/pl...ce-plasmon-polaritons-in-cmos-digital-imaging

We know the metal thickness, want to design the appropriate hole spacing and diameter, know the metal chosen, and know the permittivity of the substrate (glass etc) material.
 
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minerva said:
Consider a metal such as Al.
How do we look up or determine the relative permittivity of the metal?

Suppose we have some known incident frequency, say about c/500nm for visible light.
We can look up the bulk plasma frequency (3.7 PHz for Al), can it be calculated from that?

For context, what I want to calculate is the desired hole diameter and geometry as a function of the desired filter centre wavelength, in a nanoscale plasmonic hole-grid structure like this.

https://www.intechopen.com/books/pl...ce-plasmon-polaritons-in-cmos-digital-imaging

We know the metal thickness, want to design the appropriate hole spacing and diameter, know the metal chosen, and know the permittivity of the substrate (glass etc) material.

It has been a while since I touched the topic of dielectrics. But as far as I recall, the relative permittivity of a metal is essentially infinite. It is finite, however, for an insulator/semiconductor.
 
I think there are some papers reporting measurements on the dielectric response of aluminum as a function of frequency.
 
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Useful nucleus said:
It has been a while since I touched the topic of dielectrics. But as far as I recall, the relative permittivity of a metal is essentially infinite.
Not in the optical region.
 
Useful nucleus said:
It has been a while since I touched the topic of dielectrics. But as far as I recall, the relative permittivity of a metal is essentially infinite
That's true only at DC. At non-zero frequency, the permittivity is finite, see for example http://muri.lci.kent.edu/References/NIM_Papers/Permittivity/1983_Ordal_optical.pdf

minerva said:
How do we look up or determine the relative permittivity of the metal?
If I remember correctly (it has been many years ago) you can get permittivity numbers from ellipsometry measurements.
 

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