Surface Modes in One Dimensional Photonic Crystals That Include Left Handed Materials

Electromagnetic surface modes present in one dimensional photonic crystals composed of left and right handed materials are determined by using the formalism of equivalent systems. It is found that surface waves in these systems may present notable differences against those modes found in completely dielectric photonic crystals, since they can be present inside the evanescent zone of the system as if they were cast out from the band of interface modes. These modes appear only in periodic systems that include left and right handed materials in the unit cell.