Electromagnetic response of a finite-width two-dimensional electron stripe
with attached metallic side contacts is theoretically studied. It is shown that
contacts substantially influence the position, the linewidth, and the amplitude
of plasmon-polariton resonances in the stripe. In finite magnetic fields,
absorption of the wave with the inactive circular polarization (which is not
absorbed in an infinite system without contacts) may become larger than that of
the wave with the active polarization. The results are discussed in view of
recent microwave experiments in two-dimensional electron systems.Comment: 13 pages, incl. 9 figures, the paper has been substantially modified
and extended, new results have been added. Accepted for publication in Phys.
Rev.