Long-range Bloch Surface Waves in Photonic Crystal Ridges

TL;DR

This paper theoretically investigates how to design photonic crystal ridges supporting low-loss Bloch surface waves, aiming to advance integrated optical devices with minimal light propagation losses.

Contribution

It introduces a Fourier analysis-based design strategy to achieve ultra-low propagation losses in guided Bloch surface waves within photonic crystal ridges.

Findings

Achieved intrinsic losses as low as 5 dB/km in the visible range.

Identified key factors limiting light propagation in guided BSWs.

Provided a fundamental design framework for BSW-based optical platforms.

Abstract

We theoretically study light propagation in guided Bloch surface waves (BSWs) supported by photonic crystal ridges. We demonstrate that low propagation losses can be achieved just by a proper design of the multilayer to obtain photonic band gaps for both light polarizations. We present a design strategy based on a Fourier analysis that allows one to obtain intrinsic losses as low as 5 dB/km for a structure operating in the visible spectral range. These results clarify the limiting factors to light propagation in guided BSWs and represent a fundamental step towards the development of BSW-based integrated optical platforms.