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We report the first experimental observation of an Excitonic Optical Tamm State supported at the interface between a periodic multilayer dielectric structure and an organic dye-doped polymer layer. The existence of such states is enabled by the metal-like optical properties of the excitonic layer based on aggregated dye molecules. Experimentally determined dispersion curves, together with simulated data, including field profiles, allow us to identify the nature of these new modes. Our results demonstrate the potential of organic excitonic materials as a powerful means to control light at the nanoscale, offering the prospect of a new alternative type of nanophotonics based on molecular materials.

We present evidence of optical Tamm states to surface plasmon polariton (SPP) coupling. We experimentally demonstrate that for a Bragg stack with a thin metal layer on the surface, hybrid Tamm-SPP modes may be excited when a grating on the air-metal interface is introduced. Out-coupling via the grating to free space propagation is shown to enhance the transmission as well as the directionality and polarization selection for the transmitted beam. We suggest that this system will be useful on those devices, where a metallic electrical contact as well as beaming and polarization control is needed. © 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.