  Plasmon drag effect is studied theoretically and experimentally in gold films
with a sine-wave height profile. Numerical simulations based on the modified
electromagnetic momentum loss approach are shown to correctly describe the
photoinduced voltage associated with propagating surface plasmon polaritons.
Direct proportionality of energy and momentum transfer in interactions of
plasmons and free electrons in metal is proven to be valid for surfaces with
relatively low height modulation amplitudes. The effect is also discussed in
frames of an equivalent circuit model, which can provide qualitative
description for surfaces with random roughness.
