lasmonics is an increasingly important field of research within the larger field of photonics.
Photonic components utilizing surface plasmon polariton modes supported by various
metal-dielectric configurations hold the promise of a variety of applications in sensing and
on-chip data transmission. Plasmonic components based on dielectric-loaded plasmon polariton
waveguides are in particular attracting attention recently due to their comparative ease of
manufacture and their potential to aid in miniaturizing optical circuits. The two-photon
polymerization direct laser writing technology has already been shown to be a powerful tool in
the fabrication of plasmonic waveguides. This thesis builds on previous work that has already
shown the viability of two-photon polymerization as a manufacturing technique and expands upon
it by adding a nanolithography process. The largest intrinsic disadvantage of direct laser
writing is overcome in this fashion - instead of a purely serial process a parallel
fabrication process is developed. By aid of this process the fabrication of plasmonic
waveguides becomes not only optimally flexible but also faster and cheaper. The plasmonic
waveguide structures presented in this thesis represent new designs not shown before including
polarization-dependent splitters Mach-Zehnder interferometers and a new class of structure
called racetrack resonators. The designs are characterized largely by leakage radiation
microscopy and compared to similar designs fabricated by different methods. Where comparison is
possible the structures presented here show much improved characteristics over results
previously reported by other groups. An investigation of localized surface plasmons is also
made which includes the interference of surface plasmons with each other and the interaction
of surface plasmons with metal nanoparticles. This has led to new optical effects which have
not been observed in this way before. This thesis resulted in nine scientific articles that
have been published in peerreviewed journals as well as a number of conference contributions
and proceedings.
