Аннотация:The chapter presents and analyzes the results of an experimental study of the electromagnetic (EM) radiation propagation in two types of metal–dielectric photonic-crystal composite systems based on opals obtained by the authors: 1) layered metal–dielectric heterostructures formed by sequential deposition of metal (Ag) and dielectric (SiO2) films onto a monolayer of opal globules; 2) Ag/opal nanocomposites based on bulk opal matrices into which silver was injected by electric thermal diffusion. In recent decades, surface plasmon-polaritons (SPPs), i.e. EM waves capable of propagating along the metal-dielectric interface, have been successfully used in photonic crystal devices that significantly expand the functionality of controlling electromagnetic radiation flows. Interfaces “profiled metal layer – monolayer of opal globules” in the layered metal–dielectric heterostructures make it possible to excite SPPs when the phase synchronism condition is met. Our experimental results demonstrate two types of SPPs excited in such plasmonic-photonic heterostructures: these are ‘bright’ SPPs, responsible for extraordinary transmission (EOT), and ‘dark’ SPPs causing extraordinary absorption (EOA).Calculations based on the analysis of experimental data, allow to estimate the period of a two-dimensional diffraction grating made of opal globules and to make assumptions about possible directions of surface plasmon-polaritons propagation in metal-dielectric hybrid plasmon-photonic crystals.Modification of the photonic-energy structure of the Ag/opal nanocomposite in comparison with that of initial opal photonic crystal is the result of dispersion of silver in the opal matrix. The position of the optical resonances of nanocomposites obtained by introducing metal into the opal matrix by electrothermal diffusion is due to Bragg diffraction, and the asymmetric shape of the resonance curves in the reflection spectra is due to the Fano resonance. The results obtained may be of interest to developers when designing optical systems that control electromagnetic radiation flows in photonics and nanoplasmonics.