Reconfigurable(4, 6^(2)) and(4, 8^(2)) Archimedean plasma photonic crystals in dielectric barrier discharge

Archimedean photonic crystal has become a research area of great interest due to its various unique properties. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the realization of reconfigurable(4, 6^(2))and(4, 8^(2)) Archimedean plasma photonic crystals(APPCs) by use of dielectric barrier discharges in air. Dynamical control on both the macrostructures including the lattice symmetry and the crystal orientation, and the microstructures including the fine structures of scattering elements has been achieved. The formation mechanisms of APPCs are studied by time-resolved measurements together with numerical simulations. Large omnidirectional band gaps of APPCs have been obtained. The tunable topology of APPCs may offer new opportunities for fabricating multi-functional and highly-integrated microwave devices.

Topological edge and corner states of valley photonic crystals with zipper-like boundary conditions

We present a stable valley photonic crystal(VPC)unit cell with C_(3v)symmetric quasi-ring-shaped dielectric columns and realize its topological phase transition by breaking mirror symmetry.Based on this unit cell structure,topological edge states(TESs)and topological corner states(TCSs)are realized.We obtain a new type of wave transmission mode based on photonic crystal zipper-like boundaries and apply it to a beam splitter assembled from rectangular photonic crystals(PCs).The constructed beam splitter structure is compact and possesses frequency separation functions.In addition,we construct a box-shaped triangular PC structures with zipper-like boundaries and discover phenomena of TCSs in the corners,comparing its corner states with those formed by other boundaries.Based on this,we explore the regularities of the electric field patterns of TESs and TCSs,explain the connection between the characteristic frequencies and locality of TCSs,which helps better control photons and ensures low power consumption of the system.

Tunable topological edge state in plasma photonic crystals

In this study, we found a kind of edge state located at the interface between plasma photonic crystals(PPCs) and traditional photonic crystals, which depends on the property of the photonic band gap rather than the surface defect. Simulation and theoretical analysis show that by adjusting the plasma density, we can change the topological characteristics of the photonic band gap of PPCs. This makes it different from the photonic band gap of traditional PCs, and thus excites or closes the topological edge states. We further discussed the influence of plasma parameters on edge state characteristics, and the results showed that as the plasma density increased, the first photonic band gap(PBG) of the PPCs closed and then reopened, resulting in band inversion and a change in the PBG properties of the PPCs. We can control the generation of edge states through plasma and adjust the frequency and strength of the edge states. After the appearance of edge states, as the plasma density further increases, the first PBG of the PPCs will shift towards high frequencies and deepen. The frequency of edge states will shift towards higher frequencies, and their strength will also increase. We increased the first PBG depth of the PPCs by increasing the number of arrays and found that when the number of the PPCs arrays increased, only the intensity of the edge states would increase while the frequency remained unchanged. Therefore, flexible adjustment of edge state frequency and intensity can be achieved through plasma density and array quantity parameters. Our study demonstrates the properties of topological edge states in plasma photonic crystals, which we believe can provide some guidance for applications based on edge states.

Nonuniform pseudo-magnetic fields in photonic crystals

The pseudo-magnetic field,an artificial synthetic gauge field,has attracted intense research interest in the classical wave system.The strong pseudo-magnetic field is realized in a two-dimensional photonic crystal(PhC)by introducing the uniaxial linear gradient deformation.The emergence of the pseudomagnetic field leads to the quantization of Landau levels.The quantum-Hall-like edge states between adjacent Landau levels are observed in our designed experimental implementation.The combination of two reversed gradient PhCs gives rise to the spatially nonuniform pseudo-magnetic field.The propagation of the large-area edge state and the interesting phenomenon of the snake state induced by the nonuniform pseudo-magnetic field is experimentally demonstrated in a PhC heterostructure.This provides a good platform to manipulate the transport of electromagnetic waves and to design useful devices for information processing.

Application of Padé Approximation in Simulating Photonic Crystals

To save finite-difference time-domain（FDTD） computing time, several methods are proposed to convert the time domain FDTD output into frequency domain. The Pad6 approximation with Baker＇s algorithm and the program are introduced to simulate photonic crystal structures. For a simple pole system with frequency 160THz and quality factor of 5000, the intensity spectrum obtained by the Padé approximation from a 2^8-item sequence output is more exact than that obtained by fast Fourier transformation from a 2^20-item sequence output. The mode frequencies and quality factors are calculated at different wave vectors for the photonic crystal slab from a much shorter FDTD output than that required by the FFT method, and then the band diagrams are obatined. In addition, mode frequencies and Q-factors are calculated for photonic crystal microcavity.

Modulation of Photonic Bandgap and Localized States by Dielectric Constant Contrast and Filling Factor in Photonic Crystals

The band structure of 2D photonic crystals (PCs) and localized states resulting from defects are analyzed by finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) technique and Padé approximation.The effect of dielectric constant contrast and filling factor on photonic bandgap (PBG) for perfect PCs and localized states in PCs with point defects are investigated.The resonant frequencies and quality factors are calculated for PCs with different defects.The numerical results show that it is possible to modulate the location,width and number of PBGs and frequencies of the localized states only by changing the dielectric constant contrast and filling factor.

Theoretical study on the photonic band gap in one-dimensional photonic crystals with graded multilayer structure

We theoretically investigate the photonic band gap in one-dimensional photonic crystals with a graded multilayer structure. The proposed structure constitutes an alternating composite layer （metallic nanoparticles embedded in TiO2 film） and an air layer. Regarding the multilayer as a series of capacitance, effective optical properties are derived. The dispersion relation is obtained with the solution of the transfer matrix equation. With a graded structure in the composite layer, numerical results show that the position and width of the photonic band gap can be effectively modulated by varying the number of the graded composite layers, the volume fraction of nanoparticles and the external stimuli.

INVERSE OPALINE STRUCTURE TITANIA PHOTONIC CRYSTALS BY FUNCTIONALLY MODIFIED COLLOIDAL CRYSTALS TEMPLATING

Ordered macroporous titania photonic crystals （PCs） and photonic balls were fabricated by functional modified polymer colloidal crystals. The TiO2 PCs and balls formed through this method exhibit no cracks and lacunae in large areas on their surface and their inner structures.

Transmission Spectral Characteristics of Photonic Crystals Milled in Annealed Proton-Exchange LiNbO_3 Waveguide

Transmission spectra of triangular lattice photonic crystals milled in the top surface of an annealed proton- exchange waveguide are numerically simulated. The effects of the finite depth, conical shape, trapezoidal shape and hybrid shape of holes are theoretically analyzed. Due to the difficulty of milling high aspect-ratio cylindrical holes in lithium niobate （LiNbO3 ）, a compromised solution is proposed to improve the overlap between shallow holes and the waveguide mode, and useful transmission spectra with strong contrast and sharp band edges are achieved.

Band rules for the frequency spectra of three kinds of aperiodic photonic crystals with negative refractive index materials

By means of the theory of electromagnetic wave propagation and transfer matrix method, this paper investigates the band rules for the frequency spectra of three kinds of one-dimensional （1D） aperiodic photonic crystals （PCs）, generalized Fibonacci GF（p, 1）, GF（1,2）, and Thue Morse （TM） PCs, with negative refractive index （NRI） materials. It is found that all of these PCs can open a broad zero-n gap, TM PC possesses the largest zero-n gap, and with the increase of p, the width of the zero-n gap for GF（p, 1） PC becomes smaller. This characteristic is caused by the symmetry of the system and the open position of the zero-n gap. It is found that for GF（p, 1） PCs, the possible limit zero-n gaps open at lower frequencies with the increase of p, but for GF（1,2） and TM PCs, their limit zero-n gaps open at the same frequency. Additionally, for the tbree bottom-bands, we find the interesting perfect self-similarities of the evolution structures with the increase of generation, and obtain the corresponding subband-number formulae. Based on 11 types of evolving manners Qi （i = 1, 2,... , 11） one can plot out the detailed evolution structures of the three kinds of aperiodic PCs for any generation.

Relationship between group velocity and symmetry of photonic crystals

Group velocity （GV） of eigenmode is a crucial parameter to explain the extraordinary phenomena about light propagation in photonic crystals （PhCs）. To study relationships between group velocity and symmetry of PhCs, a new general expression of CV in PhCs made up of non-dispersive material is introduced. Based on this, the CVs of eigenmodes of PhCs, especially those of degenerate eigenmodes at highly symmetric points in the first Brillouin zone, are discussed. Some interesting results are obtained. For example, the summation of degenerate eigenmodes＇ CVs is invariant under the operations of wave vector K-group MK. In addition, some numerical results are presented to verify them.

The single-longitudinal-mode operation of a ridge waveguide laser based on two-dimensional photonic crystals

An electrically driven, single-longitudinal-mode GaAs based photonic crystal （PC） ridge waveguide （RWG） laser emitting at around 850 nm is demonstrated. The single-longitudinal-mode lasing characteristic is achieved by introducing the PC to the RWG laser. The triangle PC is etched on both sides of the ridge by photolithography and inductive coupled plasma （ICP） etching. The lasing spectra of the RWG lasers with and without the PC are studied, and the result shows that the PC purifies the longitudinal mode. The power per facet versus current and current-voltage characteristics have also been studied and compared.

Thermal tunable one-dimensional photonic crystals containing phase change material

To obtain the adjustable photonic crystals (PCs), we numerically investigate one-dimensional (1D) PCs with alternating VO2 and SiO2 layers through transfer matrix method. The dispersion relation agrees well with the transmittance obtained by the finite element calculation. Tunable band gaps are achieved with the thermal stimuli of VO2, which has two crystal structures. The monoclinic crystal structure VO2 (R) at low temperature exhibits insulating property, and the high temperature square rutile structure VO2 (M) presents metal state. Concretely, the bandwidth is getting narrower and red shift occurs with the higher temperature in VO2 (R)/SiO2 PCs structure. Based on the phase change characteristics of VO2, we can flexibly adjust the original structure as VO2 (R)/VO2 (M)/SiO2. By increasing the phase ratio of VO2 (R) to VO2 (M), the band gap width gradually becomes wider and blue shift occurs. The discrete layers of gradient composites on the dispersion of 1D PCs are also investigated, which enhances the feasibility in practical operation. Thus, our proposed thermal modulation PCs structure paves a new way to realize thermal tunable optical filters and sensors.

Microwave transmittance characteristics in different uniquely designed one-dimensional plasma photonic crystals

Plasma photonic crystals(PPCs)are emerging as a powerful instrument for the dynamical control of the electromagnetic properties of a propagating wave.Here we demonstrate several one-dimensional(1 D)PPCs with uniquely designed superlattice structures,annular structures or with incorporation of the third material into the primitive unit cell.The influences of the properties of the third material as well as the structural configurations of suplerlattices on the transmittance characteristics of PPCs have been investigated by use of the finite element method.The optimal design strategy for producing PPCs that have more and larger band gaps is provided.These new schemes can potentially be extended to 2 D or 3 D plasma crystals,which may find broad applications in the manipulation of microwaves and terahertz waves.

Ultra-narrow bandwidth optical filters consisting of one-dimensional photonic crystals with anomalous dispersion materials

We present a new type of optical filter with an ultra-narrow bandwidth and a wide field-of-view （FOV）. This kind of optical filter consists of one-dimensional photonic crystal （PC） incorporating an anomalous-dispersion-material （ADM） with, for instance, an anomalous dispersion of 6P3/2←6S1/2 hyperfine structure transition of a caesium atom. The transmission spectra of optical filters are calculated by using the transfer-matrix method. The simulation results show that the designed optical filter has a bandwidth narrower than 0.33GHz and a wide FOV of ±30°as well. The response of transmission spectrum to an external magnetic field is also investigated.

Main Factors for Affecting Photonic Bandgap of Photonic Crystals

The factors affecting one dimensional （1D） and two dimensional （2D） photonic crystals （PhCs） are systemically analyzed in this paper by numerical simulation. Transfer matrix method （TMM） is employed for 1D PCs, both finite difference time domain method （FDTD） and plane wave expansion method （PWE） are employed for 2D PCs. The result shows that the photonic bandgaps （PBG） are directly affected by crystal type, crystal lattice constant, modulation of refractive index and periodicity, and it is should be useful for design of different type photonic crystals with the required PBG and functional devices. Finally, as an example, a near-IR 1D PCs narrow filter was designed.

Band structures analysis of one-dimensional photonic crystals using plane wave expansion

A theoretical analysis is made, using plane wave expansion, on how the width of the first three band gaps is influenced by filling ratio, dielectric constant ratio, and periodic width in one-dimensional photonic crystals （PhCs）. From simulation and analysis, there are one, two, and three peak points on the first, second and third band gaps respectively with the changes of filling ratio un- der fixed dielectric constant ratio. When filling ratio is fixed, the bandwidth of the first band gap consistently increases with dielectric constant ratio. However, no similar trend is observed in the second and the third band gaps. Because of scaling properties, varying periodic width does not alter the relative bandwidth.

Band gaps structure and semi-Dirac point of two-dimensional function photonic crystals

Two-dimensional function photonic crystals, in which the dielectric constants of medium columns are the functions of space coordinates , are proposed and studied numerically. The band gaps structures of the photonic crystals for TE and TM waves are different from the two-dimensional conventional photonic crystals. Some absolute band gaps and semiDirac points are found. When the medium column radius and the function form of the dielectric constant are modulated, the numbers, width, and position of band gaps are changed, and the semi-Dirac point can either occur or disappear. Therefore,the special band gaps structures and semi-Dirac points can be achieved through the modulation on the two-dimensional function photonic crystals. The results will provide a new design method of optical devices based on the two-dimensional function photonic crystals.

Transmission spectra characteristics of 1D photonic crystals with complex dielectric constant

The characteristics of photonic forbidden bands, transmission gain and absorption of one-dimensional （ID） dual-periodical photonic crystals （PC） with a complex dielectric layer were studied by using the optical transfer matrix （TM） method. The results show that the photonic band gap （PBG） of this structure is enlarged and many transmission resonance peaks appear in PBG. Large transmission gain for transmission peaks is obtained if the imaginary part of dielectric constant is negative. With the increase of the absolute value of the imaginary part, the transmission gain increases firstly and the transmittance gain gets to an apex. The imaginary parts of dielectric constant corresponding to transmission gain apex are different according to wavelength. However, the transmission ratio of resonance peaks is less than 1 if the imagi- nary part of dielectric constant is positive. The properties might be used to design multi-narrow-channel band filters and optical amplification devices synchronously.

Thermal-responsive Photonic Crystals based on Physically Cross-linked Inverse Opal Nanocomposite Hydrogels

A thermal-responsive photonic crystal material was fabricated by forming an inverse opal nanocomposite hydrogel of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)(IONHPNIPAm)within the interstitial space of a polystyrene photonic crystal template.In IONHPNIPAm,PNIPAm were physically cross-linked with two kinds of nanoparticles(carbon dots and laponite clays).The integration of carbon dots and laponite clays for physical crosslinking endowed IONHPNIPAm sufficient strength and self-healing property.IONHPNIPAm films can be completely peeled from the substrates to be utilized as an independent photonic crystal material.The structural color and optical diffraction of the IONHPNIPAm exhibits a rapid reversible change in response to external thermal stimuli due to its physical cross-linking feature.Moreover,the IONHPNIPAm shows clear fluorescence due to the introduction of carbon dots,which enables a convenient way for chemical detection(such as the detection of silver ions).This stimuli-responsive photonic crystal materials based on physically cross-linked inverse opal nanocomposite hydrogels with fast response and good mechanical stability are promising for applications in the fields of smart optical detectors,thermal-responsive sensors and chemical detectors.