Propagation of nonlinear surface waves along the interface between a Kerr-type crystal and a medium characterized by stepwise dielectric permittivity

Abstract

The contact of a medium characterized by Kerr nonlinearity and a medium characterized by a stepwise nonlinearity, where the dielectric permittivity depends on the amplitude of the electric field strength, is considered. It is found that an optical domain of finite thickness is formed. Two new types of surface waves are described. The influence of the switching field on the intensity distribution across the interface and on total power flow is analyzed. The intensity at the interface in the case of contact with a nonlinear focusing medium can be maximal, in contrast to the case of contact with a linear medium where the intensity at the interface could not be maximal. The total power flow monotonically decreases with an increase in the nonlinearity parameter and it takes the minimum value at a specific value of the switching amplitude. The largest fraction of the power flow is concentrated on the right side of the optical domain for small values of the switching field starting from a certain value.