Optimal conditions for surface wave excitation at a photonic crystal-metal interface

The basic processes forming surface plasmon-polariton generation at a photonic crystal-metal interface are considered. Those are the emergence of a complicated mode structure in a crystal medium and energy exchange between modes in reflection from boundaries. The efficiency of surface plasmon-polariton excitation is studied at various parameters of the exciting wave. A particular attention is paid to the case where the wavevector of a reciprocal lattice is orthogonal to the exciting wave direction. In that case, an enhanced efficiency can be achieved. Optimal intensities of generated surface plasmon-polaritons are calculated for metals Ag, Au, Cu and Al in the wavelength interval of 400-1900 nm.