The existence and behavior of surface and interface optical waves are studied in a substrate–finite-superlattice–air system. These modes appear as well-defined peaks in the density of states as well as in the magnitudes and phase times of the reflection and transmission coefficients. We investigate the effect of surface termination on the formation of surface modes and their interaction with the superlattice-substrate interface modes. The plot of the spatial distribution of the modes shows different possibilities of the guidance through the localized and confined modes.

• Received 1 June 1998

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.61.2059