Crystallographic anisotropy in the decay of surface plasmons to photoelectrons

A combined photoemission and electroreflectance investigation has been performed on Ag(111) and Ag(100) in contact with an electrolyte. The optical excitation of surface plasmons was induced on both faces by electrochemically roughening the sample surfaces. Electron emission, as a result of surface plasmon excitation, was observed only on Ag(111) and not on Ag(100). This striking crystallographic anisotropy in surface plasmon decay is attributed to the difference in efficiency of excited electron transmission on both faces. (Auth.)