Surface electromagnetic waves in optics

The basic concepts of surface electromagnetic waves (SEWs) in the optical band, the unique features of their excitation by light at the boundary of condensed media, and the participation of SEWs in the formation of periodic structures and other photophysical processes that occur on surfaces due to the influence of high-intensity laser radiation are presented. The use of middle infrared SEW for measuring optical characteristics of materials is considered. A method, developed by the authors, for measuring the real part of the SEW wave vector to obtain metal plasma frequency directly, is presented.