Abstract

We obtain analytic TE dark-surface-wave solutions to the nonlinear Helmholtz equation for the geometry of an interface between two dissimilar defocusing Kerr media. Solutions are derived in two dimensions and are in the form of eigenmodes of each of the respective nonlinear media; propagation constants are obtained by applying appropriate boundary conditions at the interface. The results show the range of independent and dependent parameters that will permit the existence of dark-surface-wave solutions, and they indicate that it should be possible to observe propagation of the surface waves with currently available experimental apparatus and materials. Novel applications of our results are foreseen in the areas of nonlinear optical switching and commimications.

© 1990 Optical Society of America