ИСТИНА

An experimental study of the nonlinear self-action of Bloch surface waves (BSWs) is reported. The BSWs are excited by a continuous-wave diode laser at the interface between a one-dimensional photonic crystal and a water suspension of 50-nm polystyrene particles, as revealed by the angular reflectance spectrum. Redistribution of the particles under the action of the gradient optical forces leads to a significant modification of the BSW resonance curve at an incident power as low as 14 mW. The results highlight that nanosuspensions can be used as artificial Kerr media to perform model experiments on the optical switching of surface waves.