Centimeter‐Scale Propagation of Optical Surface Waves at Visible Wavelengths. Issue 10 (24th March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vosoughi Lahijani, Babak; Descharmes, Nicolas; Barbey, Raphael; Osowiecki, Gael D.; Wittwer, Valentin J.; Razskazovskaya, Olga; Südmeyer, Thomas; Herzig, Hans Peter
• Is Part Of: Advanced optical materials. Volume 10:Issue 10(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-03-24
• Subjects: nanophotonics -- optical materials -- optical surface waves -- photonic crystals; Optical materials -- Periodicals; Photonics -- Periodicals; 620.11295
• DOI: 10.1002/adom.202102854
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2195-1071

Abstract

Abstract: Guiding and confining light at interfaces is crucial for applications involving light–matter interactions, such as surface spectroscopy, nonlinear optics, and quantum information technology. While dielectric surface waves offer promising perspectives for strong light confinement at non‐absorbing interfaces, their capacity has not yet been widely explored. This article focuses on the propagation properties of optical modes supported at the free surface of a 1D photonic crystal. The contributions of intrinsic and extrinsic loss mechanisms are investigated. Structures optimized to support long propagating optical surface waves are designed and fabricated. This work experimentally demonstrates, for the first time, the existence of optical surface waves capable of propagating over centimeter‐scale distances in the visible spectral range. The results open new perspectives for the use of optical surface waves in integrated optics and enhanced light–matter interactions. Abstract : Centimeter‐scale propagation of Bloch surface waves (BSWs) is experimentally demonstrated at visible wavelengths. Intrinsic and extrinsic loss mechanisms of BSWs are considered. 1D photonic crystal structures supporting surface states with minimum intrinsic losses are designed. The ion‐beam sputtering technique is used to deposit high‐quality thin‐film multilayer structures to reduce extrinsic losses.