We investigate the dynamic excitation of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) using vector Laguerre–Gauss (LG) beams, which offer unique properties for manipulating the polarization and spatial distribution of light. Our study demonstrates the efficient coupling of SPPs with LG beams, characterized by their azimuthal and radial indices $(m,p)$, as well as polarization distribution type. Numerical simulations reveal that the vector nature of LG beams enables selective excitation of SPPs, depending on the polarization type of the beam. Experimental verification of our simulations is achieved using a gold circular Bragg grating and a spatial light modulator that generates vector LG beams. Leakage radiation imaging demonstrates the potential of vector LG beams for dynamic SPP excitation and manipulation. This study opens novel ways for the control of SPPs in plasmonic devices, such as modulators, and nanophotonic circuits.

We propose and demonstrate a method for dynamically changing the patterning of the surface plasmon polariton (SPP) excitation over a large area under spatially inhomogeneous polarized illumination. By illuminating a 1D gold grating with shallow rectangular grooves with a spatially structured polarization beam of near-infrared light (780 nm), we selectively excited SPPs on an extended area. The parameters used to fabricate the grating coupler, matched the wave vector of the incident light with that of the SPP to achieve an efficient coupling. The incident wave illuminating the grating is a spatially inhomogeneous polarized beam. We designed local polarization states to control the local excitation of the SPP in order to pattern large areas. For real-time local control of the polarization state of the extended incident beam, we used a setup with a spatial light modulator and quarter-wave plate.