[摘要]:A compact device that splits a surface plasmon beam by using double triangular prisms coated on a metal surface is proposed. Due to the photon tunneling effect of the evanescent plasmon mode between the two plasmonic prisms, the incident plasmon beam from one plasmonic prism can be partially transmitted to the other, resulting in the splitting of the plasmon beam. Theoretical study and simulation results for the power dividing ratio of the device are in good agreement with the experimental demonstration. It is believed that the results show their great potential for the realization of the plasmonic interferometer system. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3496012]