Area theorem for surface plasmons interacting with resonant atoms

Abstract: We show how the area theorem is applicable to the analytical description of the nonlinear interaction of surface plasmon modes with resonant two-level atoms. A closed analytical solution is obtained, which shows that surface plasmons can form long-propagating $2\pi$ pulses when interacting with an optically dense two-level atomic ensemble. The possible applications of the surface pulse area theorem and the conditions for the detection of $2\pi$ surface plasmon pulses are discussed.