Multiple Bloch surface wave excitation with gratings

Abstract

We study the coupling of a finite number of Bloch Surface Waves (BSWs) propagating in different directions at the surface of a dielectric multilayer. These surface waves arise from a set of diffraction orders associated to a grating on the bottom surface of the substrate that is illuminated by a normally incident beam. Simultaneous excitation of multiple BSWs is possible with a set of diffraction orders having the same radial spatial frequency. Using rigorous electromagnetic theory, we design gratings for simultaneous excitation of two, four and six BSWs propagating in directions separated by π, π/2 and π/3 azimuthal intervals, respectively.