Tunable Photonic Band Gaps In Photonic Crystal Fibers Filled With a Cholesteric Liquid Crystal

A photonic crystal fiber has been filled with a cholesteric liquid crystal. A temperature sensitive photonic band gap effect was observed, which was especially pronounced around the liquid crystal phase transition temperature.

Comment on “Band gaps structure and semi-Dirac point of two-dimensional function photonic crystals” by Si-Qi Zhang et al.

Recently, Zhang et al. （Chin. Phys. B 26 024208 （2017）） investigated the band gap structures and semi-Dirac point of two-dimensional function photonic crystals, and the equations for the plane wave expansion method were induced to obtain the band structures. That report shows the band diagrams with the effects of function coefficient k and medium column ra under TE and TM waves. The proposed results look correct at first glance, but the authors made some mistakes in their report. Thus, the calculated results in their paper are incorrect. According to our calculations, the errors in their report are corrected, and the correct band structures also are presented in this paper.

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.

Multi-wavelength photonic band gaps based on quasi-periodically poled lithium niobate ordered in Fibonacci sequences

We demonstrate a quasi-periodic structure exhibiting multiple photonic band gaps （PBGs） based on sub- micron-period poled lithium niobate （LN）. The structure consists of two building blocks, each containing a pair of antiparallel poled domains, arranged as a Fibonacci sequence. The gap wavelengths are analyzed with the Fibonacci sequence parameters such as the quasiperiodic indices and the average lattice parameter. The transmission properties are investigated by a traditional 4×4 matrix method. It has also been proved that the gap depth can be tuned by the lengths of poled domains.

Tunability of Photonic Band Gaps in One- and Two-dimensional Photonic Crystals Based on ZnS Particles Embedded in TiO2 Matrix

Using the Maxwell-GarneR theory, the evolution of the refractive index of titanium dioxide （TiO2） doped with zinc sulfide （ZnS） particles is presented. The presence of the nano-objects in the host matrix allows us to obtain a new composite material with tunable optical properties. We find that the filling factor of ZnS nanoparticles greatly alters photonic band gaps （PBGs）. We have calculated also the photonic band structure for electromagnetic waves propagating in a structure consisting of ZnS rods covered with the air shell layer in 2D hexagonal and square lattices by the finite difference time domain （FDTD） method. The rods are embedded in the TiO2 background medium with a high dielectric constant. Such photonic lattices present complete photonic band gaps （CPBGs）. Our results show that the existence of the air shell layer leads to larger complete photonic gaps. We believe that the present results are significant to increase the possibilities for experimentalists to realize a sizeable and larger CPBG.

Existing conditions of full bandgaps and absolute negative refraction in metallic-dielectric photonic crystal

This paper has theoretically studied the characteristic frequencies of band structures in two-dimensional metallic- dielectric photonic crystals. It is demonstrated that a large filling fraction benefits the existence of absolute photonic band gap, while a smaller filling fraction benefits an absolute negative refraction band. In addition, it also finds that the relation between the cut-off frequency of E-polarized wave and the filling fraction exceeding 10% is content with a linear increasing function, whose coefficients are exponential to the normalized lattice constant. These investigations have significant implications for tuning the operational frequencies to desired applications and manufacturing photonic crystals.

The features of band structures for woodpile three-dimensional photonic crystals with plasma and function dielectric constituents

The features of the band structures of woodpile three-dimensional （3D） photonic crystals composed of plasma and function dielectric constituents, referred to as function plasma photonic crystals （FPPCs）, are theoretically studied by a modified plane wave expansion method, and the formulas for computing the band structures are derived. The arrangement for the proposed FPPCs is that the function dielectric columns are surrounded by plasma, and the embedded dielectric columns are stacked according to the woodpile lattices, which are arrayed with facecentered-tetragonal symmetry. The relative permittivity of function dielectric rods depends on the function coefficient and space coordinates. The relationships between the parameters for inserted function dielectric rods and plasma and the band structures are also investigated. The computed results illustrate that the obtained PBG can be tuned by those parameters as mentioned above. Compared to dielectric-air PCs, function dielectric PCs and plasma dielectric PCs with the same topology, a wider bandwidth of the photonic band gap can be observed in the proposed FPPCs. The calculated results also show us another alternative way to realize reconfigurable applications with 3D FPPCs.

Three-dimensional simulation of a Ka-band relativistic Cherenkov source with metal photonic-band-gap structures

This paper presents a three-dimensional particle-in-cell （PIC） simulation of a Ka-band relativistic Cherenkov source with a slow wave structure （SWS） consisting of metal photonic band gap （PBG） structures. In the simulation, a perfect match layer boundary is employed to absorb passing band modes supported by the PBG lattice with an artificial metal boundary. The simulated axial field distributions in the cross section and surface of the SWS demonstrate that the device operates in the vicinity of the π point of a TM01-1ike mode. The Fourier transformation spectra of the axial fields as functions of time and space show that only a single frequency appears at 36.27 GHz, which is in good agreement with that of the intersection of the dispersion curve with the slow space charge wave generated on the beam. The simulation results demonstrate that the SWS has good mode selectivity.

A Study of Properties of the Photonic Band Gap of Unmagnetized Plasma Photonic Crystal

In this study, the propagation of electromagnetic waves in one-dimensional plasma photonic crystals （PPCs）, namely, superlattice structures consisting alternately of a homogeneous unmagnetized plasma and dielectric material, is simulated numerically using the finite-difference time-domain （FDTD） algorithm. A perfectly matched layer （PML） absorbing technique is used in this simulation. The reflection and transmission coefficients of electromagnetic （EM） waves through PPCs are calculated. The characteristics of the photonic band gap （PBG） are discussed in terms of plasma density, dielectric constant ratios, number of periods, and introduced layer defect. These may provide some useful information for designing plasma photonic crystal devices.

Photonic band structures of two-dimensional photonic crystals with deformed lattices

Using the plane-wave expansion method, we have calculated and analysed the changes of photonic band structures arising from two kinds of deformed lattices, including the stretching and shrinking of lattices. The square lattice with square air holes and the triangular lattice with circular air holes are both studied. Calculated results show that the change of lattice size in some special ranges can enlarge the band gap, which depends strongly on the filling factor of air holes in photonic crystals; and besides, the asymmetric band edges will appear with the broken symmetry of lattices.

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.

Some New Band Characteristics in One-Dimensional Plasma Dielectric Photonic Crystals

Propagation of electromagnetic waves in one-dimensional plasma dielectric photonic crystals, the superlattice structure consisting of alternating plasma and dielectric materials, is studied theoretically for oblique incidence by using the transfer matrix method. Our results show that complete photonic band gaps for all polarizations can be obtained in one-dimensional plasma dielectric photonic crystals. These structures can exhibit a new type of band or gap, for the incidence other than the normal one, near frequencies where the electric permittivity of the plasma layer changes sign. This new band or gap arises, from the dispersive properties of the plasma layer, only for transverse magnetic polarized waves, and its width increases with the increase in incident angle. This differential behavior under polarization can be utilized in the design of an efficient polarization splitter. The existence of both photonic gaps and resonance transmission bands is demonstrated for experimentally realizable structures such as double electromagnetic barriers.

Comparison of entanglement trapping among different photonic band gap models

We investigate the roles of different qubit-environment decoherence models on the entanglement trapping of two qubits. By considering three environmental models （the single photonic band gap model, the common photonic band gap model, and the two independent photonic band gaps model）, we note that the final values of entanglement trapping are determined by these different models. We also give the conditions of obtaining the larger entanglement trapping by comparing two-qubit entanglement dynamics in different decoherence models. Moreover, the comparison of entanglement trapping between two Bell-like states in the same decoherence model are also carried out.

Characteristics of photonic bands generated by quadrangular multiconnected networks

In this paper, by means of the network equation and generalized dimensionless Floquet-Bloch theorem, we study the influences of the number of connected waveguide segments （NCWS） between adjacent nodes and the matching ratio of waveguide length （MRWL） on the photonic bands generated by quadrangular multiconnected networks （QMNs）, and obtain a series of formulae. It is found that multicombining networks （MCNs） and repetitive combining networks （RCNs） are equivalent to each other and they can all be simplified into the simplest fundamental combining systems. It would be useful for adjusting the number, widths, and positions of photonic bands, and would possess potential applications for the designing of all-optical devices and photonic network devices.

Extreme narrow photonic passbands generated from defective two-segment-connected triangular waveguide networks

In this paper, we investigate the optical transmission properties of perfect and defective two-segment-connected tri- angular waveguide networks （2SCTWNs） and find that after introducing defects in networks, many groups of transparent extreme narrow photonic passbands （ENPPs） will be created in the middle of the transmission spectra, the number for each group and the group number of ENPPs can he adjusted by the matching ratios of waveguide length （MRWLs）, the number of defects, and the number of unit cells of 2SCTWNs. The influences of MRWL, number of defects, and number of unit cells on the number, width, and position of these ENPPs are researched and a series of quantitative rules and prop- erties are obtained. It may be useful for the designing of high-sensitive optical switches, wavelength division multiplexers, extreme-narrowband filters, and other correlative waveguide network devices.

One-dimensional structure made of periodic slabs of SiO2/InSb offering tunable wide band gap at terahertz frequency range

Optical features of a semiconductor–dielectric photonic crystal are studied theoretically. Alternating layers of micrometer sized SiO2/In Sb slabs are considered as building blocks of the proposed ideal crystal. By inserting additional layers and disrupting the regularity, two more defective crystals are also proposed. Photonic band structure of the ideal crystal and its dependence on the structural parameters are explored at the first step. Transmittance of the defective crystals and its changes with the thicknesses of the layers are studied. After extracting the optimum values for the thicknesses of the unit cells of the crystals, the optical response of the proposed structures at different temperatures and incident angles are investigated. Changes of the defect layers’ induced mode(s) are discussed by taking into consideration of the temperature dependence of the In Sb layer permittivity. The results clearly reflect the high potential of the proposed crystals to be used at high temperature terahertz technology as a promising alternative to their electronic counterparts.

Observation of trapped light induced by Dwarf Dirac-cone in out-of-plane condition for photonic crystals

Existence of out-of-plane conical dispersion for a triangular photonic crystal lattice is reported. It is observed that conical dispersion is maintained for a number of out-of-plane wave vectors（k;）. We study a case where Dirac like linear dispersion exists but the photonic density of states is not vanishing, called Dwarf Dirac cone（DDC） which does not support localized modes. We demonstrate the trapping of such modes by introducing defects in the crystal. Interestingly, we find by k-point sampling as well as by tuning trapped frequency that such a conical dispersion has an inherent light confining property and it is governed by neither of the known wave confining mechanisms like total internal reflection, band gap guidance. Our study reveals that such a conical dispersion in a non-vanishing photonic density of states induces unexpected intense trapping of light compared with those at other points in the continuum. Such studies provoke fabrication of new devices with exciting properties and new functionalities.

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.

A compact in-plane photonic crystal channel drop filter

This paper presents a novel in-plane photonic crystal channel drop filter. The device is composed of a resonant cavity sandwiched by two parallel waveguides. The cavity has two resonant modes with opposite symmetries. Tuning these two modes into degeneracy causes destructive interference in bus waveguide, which results in high forward drop efficiency at the resonant wavelength. From the result of numerical analysis by using two-dimensional finite-difference time-domain method, the channel drop filter has a drop efficiency of 96% and a Q value of over 3000, which can be used in dense wavelength division multiplexing systems.

Self-imaging effect in photonic crystal multimode waveguides exhibiting no band gaps

The properties of the propagating field in multimode photonic crystal waveguides （PCWs） exhibiting no photonic band gaps （PBGs） are investigated. The transmission spectrum shows that the input field can be guided with high efficiency, and resemble index-guided modes owing to the combination of total internal reflection （TIR） and distributed Bragg reflection （DBR）. Self-imaging effect happens and the filling fraction determines the beating lengths. The rows of air holes decide DBR coming from the mirrors on both sides of the guiding region, which governs the transmission spectrum. It provides a new way to realize the components for both polarizations by combining PBG and TIR effects in PCWs.