Centimeter‐Scale Propagation of Optical Surface Waves at Visible Wavelengths

Guiding and confining light at interfaces is crucial for applications involving light–matter interactions, such as surface spectroscopy, nonlinear optics, quantum information technology. While dielectric waves offer promising perspectives strong confinement non-absorbing interfaces, their capacity has not yet been widely explored. This article focuses on the propagation properties of optical modes supported free a 1D photonic crystal. The contributions intrinsic extrinsic loss mechanisms are investigated. Structures optimized to support long propagating designed fabricated. work experimentally demonstrates, first time, existence capable over centimeter-scale distances in visible spectral range. results open new use integrated optics enhanced interactions.