Mode confinement enhanced in hybrid Bloch surface wave long-range waveguide

Abstract

In aims to enhance the electric-field confinement capability of Bloch surface wave (BSW) with low propagation loss, here, we develop a high-performance hybrid BSW waveguide that incorporates a high-index nano-ridge loaded photonic crystal slab with a silicon dielectric nanowire. Leveraging the mode hybridization, a subwavelength mode confinement in conjunction with long-range waveguiding is achievable. Its robust properties against the possible fabrication imperfection for practical implementations and comparisons with similar hybrid waveguide configurations are also discussed to indicate the improved guiding performance of our proposed waveguide. These remarkable optical properties render such waveguide to hold the promise of building numerous high-performance nanophotonic devices.