Enhanced transmission and beaming of light via photonic crystal surface modes

Abstract

Surface modes are generally believed to be an undesirable feature of finite photonic crystals (PC), unlike point or line defect modes. However, it is possible to make the surface mode radiate by appropriate corrugation of the PC interface. In this paper we show theoretically that the coherent action of these surface indentations can be engineered to collimate within a few degrees the light exiting a PC waveguide, or to funnel light coming from free space into the waveguide.