Polarization-insensitive surface mode excitation on metamaterial-terminated one-dimensional photonic crystals

Abstract The use of a nanolaminate metamaterial exhibiting a subwavelength periodic pattern is demonstrated to tailor a one-dimensional photonic crystal (1DPC) in such a way that both transverse electric and magnetic surface modes can be simultaneously excited in the VIS-NIR range. In this framework, we provide a detailed analysis of the structure design by means of a combined use of the effective medium approximation and three-dimensional finite element method. Fabrication feasibility and limitations are considered, particularly in keeping into account the available materials. The tunability of the design and the capability of the 1DPC platform in controlling polarization states can suggest new approaches for polarization-resolved sensing on photonic chips.