  We present a theoretical study of the curvature-induced radiation of surface
plasmon polaritons (SPPs) propagating around bends at metal-dielectric
interfaces. We explain qualitatively how the curvature leads to distortion of
the phase front, causing the fields to radiate energy away from the
metal-dielectric interface. We then quantify, both analytically and
numerically, radiation losses and energy transmission efficiencies of SPPs
propagating around bends with varying radii- as well as sign-of-curvature.
