Amplified Spontaneous Emission of Surface Plasmon Polaritons with Unusual Angle‐Dependent Response

Loss issues are fundamentally crucial for the application of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs). In this study the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) of SPPs in a typical Kretschmann configuration is observed and shows an unusually broadened angular response with increased pump intensity. Theoretical models are further developed to verify the results and understand the amplification of SPPs in Fourier space. Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as ”Supporting Information”. Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.