Experimental investigation of the propagation properties of bloch surface waves on dielectric multilayer platform

Abstract

Background: The periodic dielectric multilayers sustaining Bloch surface waves have been proposed as a platform for the sensing applications and the two dimensional integrated optics. In this paper, we present the experimental and theoretical investigation of propagation properties of Bloch surface waves, for example propagation length and refractive index of the surface mode, at the interface of a dielectric multilayer platform. We use thin layers (~λ/25) of titanium dioxide as an additional layer of high index material. Methods: We exploit multi-heterodyne scanning near-field optical microscopy and total internal reflection configuration as a near-field and far-field characterization tools. Results: The longest propagation length is achieved when the multilayer is designed to have the dispersion curve positioned close to the middle of the photonics band gap. We measure a Bloch surface wave mode of propagation length 3.24 mm and of an effective refractive index contrast 0.15. Conclusions: The experimental results are in conformity with theoretical results. This study paves a way to realize efficient and compact two dimensional components and systems.

Bloch Surface Wave Photonic Device Fabricated by Femtosecond Laser Polymerisation Technique

“…In contrast to SPP, BSW modes are supported by fully dielectric structures, which relieves them from Ohmic losses. The propagation length of BSWs was demonstrated to be in the millimetre range at telecommunication wavelengths [4]. The BSW dispersion law may be arbitrarily tuned by changing parameters and material of one-dimensional photonic crystal [4].…”

“…The propagation length of BSWs was demonstrated to be in the millimetre range at telecommunication wavelengths [4]. The BSW dispersion law may be arbitrarily tuned by changing parameters and material of one-dimensional photonic crystal [4]. BSWs may be excited in a wide wavelength range from IR to UV [5].…”

Optical Effects Induced by Bloch Surface Waves in One-Dimensional Photonic Crystals

“…The all-dielectric structure of photonic crystals leads to low Ohmic losses, BSW propagation lengths up to millimeters [5] and high Q-factor of the BSW resonances. The dispersion law of the BSWs can be chosen in wide spectral range from UV to IR by changing the photonic crystal parameters [6,7].…”

Stepwise Luneburg Lens for Bloch Surface Waves

“…The use of lossless dielectric media guarantees a long propagation length. For instance, a BSW with a propagation length of 3.24 mm at λ = 1.558 µm has been reported [3]. This complementary character to the SPP makes the BSW a good candidate for integrated photonic devices, and this has inspired much research in recent years.…”