Coupled Tamm waves guided by an isotropic and homogeneous dielectric layer in a rugate filter

Abstract

The propagation of Tamm waves (also known as Bloch surface waves) guided by a layer of homogeneous dielectric material in a rugate filter was studied theoretically. A canonical boundary-value problem was set up and a dispersion equation was obtained. The solution of the dispersion equation indicated the existence of coupled modes of Tamm waves that were absent when the homogeneous dielectric material was taken to occupy a half space. The spatial profiles of the electric and magnetic fields of Tamm waves showed that Tamm waves propagate localized to either one or both interfaces. Multiple Tamm waves may lead to multi-analyte chemical sensors and multi-channel communication.

Keywords:

• surface wave
• rugate filter
• coupled Tamm waves
• Bloch surface wave

Acknowledgements

MF gratefully acknowledges the financial support from US National Science Foundation via grant number [DMR-1125591].