Theoretical modeling of hard X-ray surface modes in a periodic multilayer

The excitation of hard X-ray surface modes of a periodic multilayer is studied with the help of theoretical modeling. It is found that a hard X-ray surface mode can appear in a specific periodic multilayer coated with a high-density reflecting layer. The generation of the hard X-ray surface modes is shown to be effective only at a certain set of the structural parameters of the multilayer. A method for the calculation of the propagation (attenuation) length of the surface mode running in the periodic multilayer is described. The excitation of the hard X-ray surface modes is compared with that of optical surface modes in photonic crystals. The relationship between the surface modes and guided modes of periodic multilayers is discussed.