Brillouin zone spectroscopy of nonlinear photonic lattices

We present a novel, real-time, experimental technique for linear and nonlinear Brillouin zone spectroscopy of photonic lattices. The method relies on excitation with random-phase waves and far-field visualization of the spatial spectrum of the light exiting the lattice. Our technique facilitates mapping the borders of the extended Brillouin zones and the areas of normal and anomalous dispersion within each zone. For photonic lattices with defects (e.g., photonic crystal fibers), our technique enables far-field visualization of the defect mode overlaid on the extended Brillouin zone structure of the lattice. The technique is general and can be used for photonic crystal fibers as well as for periodic structures in areas beyond optics.     

Analysis of tunable bandgaps in liquid crystal-infiltrated 2D silicon photonic crystals

We present a theoretical study on two-dimensional photonic crystals composed of silicon and the E7 liquid crystal. We analyze how the optical axis orientation of the liquid crystal influences the photonic bands and bandgaps, for the case when the Maxwell equations can be decoupled into the TE and TM modes. We consider two different structures, a triangular lattice of E7 liquid crystal cylinders in a silicon background and a triangular lattice of silicon cylinders in an E7 liquid crystal background. The effect of the liquid crystal anisotropy on the geometry of the irreducible Brillouin zone allows us to propose a simplified way to calculate the photonic bandgaps. Results show that the bandgap width and center frequency have a 60° periodicity for both structures. Using the plane-wave expansion method, we determined the maximum bandgap and the optimal radius of the cylinders for each structure. Finally, for the second structure, we propose an optical switch with a 50% duty cycle. These structures can be applied to design tunable photonic devices.     

二维棋盘格子复式晶格的完全光子带隙研究

设计了一种棋盘格子复式晶格的二维光子晶体：在二维正方形格子中，把截面为正方形的柱子旋转45°，同时在每个原胞中心引入一个圆形截面的柱子构成的光子晶体结构. 用平面波展开计算棋盘格子复式晶格的完全光子带隙，结果表明：棋盘格子复式晶格的完全光子带隙的Δω/ω比值几乎是普通棋盘格子的5倍，完全光子带隙的个数也增加. 与其他复式结构相比较，发现其最佳的Δω/ω比值是一类粗锐复合结构光子晶体的2.1倍. 关键词： 二维光子晶体 复式晶格 完全光子带隙     

Interaction between a dark spot and a two-dimensional nonlinear photonic lattice with fully incoherent white light

We study experimentally the interaction of a dark spot with a nonlinear photonic lattice with fully incoherent white light emitted from an incandescent bulb in the self-defocussing photovoltaic media when the dark spot is aimed at different positions of lattices with different lattice spacing. In this case a host of novel phenomena is demonstrated, including dark spot induced lattice dislocation-deformation, the annihilation of the dark spot and so on. Results demonstrate that the interaction between incoherent dark spot and photonic lattice is always attraction and the large-spacing photonic lattice is analogous to the continuous medium.     

Rotary solitons in bessel optical lattices

We introduce solitons supported by Bessel photonic lattices in cubic nonlinear media. We show that the cylindrical geometry of the lattice, with several concentric rings, affords unique soliton properties and dynamics. In particular, in addition to the lowest-order solitons trapped in the center of the lattice, we find soliton families trapped at different lattice rings. Such solitons can be set into controlled rotation inside each ring, thus featuring novel types of in-ring and inter-ring soliton interactions.     

Enlargement of absolute photonic band gap in modified 2D anisotropic annular photonic crystals

We analyze the absolute photonic band gap in two dimensional (2D) square, triangular and honeycomb lattices composed of air holes or rings with different geometrical shapes and orientations in anisotropic tellurium background. Using the numerical plane wave expansion method, we engineer the absolute photonic band gap in modified lattices, achieved by addition of circular, elliptical, rectangular, square and hexagonal air hole or ring into the center of each lattice unit cell. We discuss the maximization of absolute photonic band gap width as a function of main and additional air hole or ring parameters with different shapes and orientation.     

Tunneling control of strongly correlated particles on a lattice: a photonic realization

We propose a photonic realization of tunneling control for two strongly correlated particles moving on a one-dimensional lattice, based on light transport in a square waveguide lattice with a periodically curved axis. We show the photonic analogue of dynamic localization of correlated particles and suggest the possibility to coherently suppress particle interaction.     

Photonic band gap via quantum coherence in vortex lattices of Bose-Einstein condensates

We investigate the optical response of an atomic Bose-Einstein condensate with a vortex lattice. We find that it is possible for the vortex lattice to act as a photonic crystal and create photonic band gaps, by enhancing the refractive index of the condensate via a quantum coherent scheme. If high enough index contrast between the vortex core and the atomic sample is achieved, a photonic band gap arises depending on the healing length and the lattice spacing. A wide range of experimentally accessible parameters are examined and band gaps in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum are found. We also show how directional band gaps can be used to directly measure the rotation frequency of the condensate.     

Guiding light in optically induced ring lattices with a low-refractive-index core

We demonstrate a ring-shaped Bessel-like photonic lattice akin to a photonic bandgap fiber with a low-index core. While the ring lattice is optically induced in a bulk crystal with a self-defocusing nonlinearity, guidance of a probe beam propagating linearly through the core is clearly observed. The possible mechanism for such guidance is also discussed.     

Equilibrium bifurcations and chaotic transitions in coupled microlaser lattices

Analytic and simulation studies for the steady-state equilibria and bifurcations of coupled microlaser arrays are described. Lateral cavity interactions affect the gain in each cavity, leading to active photonic lattice behavior, equivalent to a nonlinear coupled oscillator lattice. The coupled-cavity rate equations are employed to follow the coherent photon and carrier population in each lattice site. Fixed-point-type steady states, of constant lattice phase shift, result for low coupling strengths; the radiation envelope for these states conforms with a periodic Bloch state over the array. Bifurcations to limit cycles of increasing complexity occur at higher coupling via period doubling sequences. The associated spatial patterns of photon and carrier lattice distribution resemble photonic convection cells. Limit cycles of different periods, emanating mathematically from different original fixed points, coexist at high strengths, each one accessible from different initial conditions. The multiplicity of possible limit cycles in systems with many degrees of freedom (number of lattice sites) combined with changes in their accessibility from initial conditions offers new insights to chaotic transitions, compared to low dimensionality paradigms.     

Lasing action due to the two-dimensional quasiperiodicity of photonic quasicrystals with a Penrose lattice

We have fabricated photonic quasicrystal lasers with a Penrose lattice that does not possess translational symmetry but has long-range order, and observed coherent lasing action due to the optical feedback from quasiperiodicity, exhibiting a variety of 10-fold-symmetric lasing spot patterns. The lattice constant dependence of lasing frequencies and spot patterns show complicated features very different from photonic crystal/random lasers, and we have quantitatively explained them by considering their reciprocal lattice. Unique diversity of their reciprocal lattice opens up new possibilities for the form of lasers.     

Two-Dimensional Photonic Band-Gap Defect Modes with Deformed Lattice

A numerical study of the defect modes in two-dimensional photonic crystals with deformed triangular lattice is presented by using the supercell method and the finite-difference time-domain method. We find the stretch or shrink of the lattice can bring the change not only on the frequencies of the defect modes but also on their magnetic field distributions. We obtain the separation of the doubly degenerate dipole modes with the change of the lattice and find that both the stretch and the shrink of the lattice can make the dipole modes separate large enough to realize the single-mode emission. These results may be advantageous to the manufacture of photonic crystal lasers and provide a new way to realize the single-mode operation in photonic crystal lasers.     

Supercontinuum generation in a two-dimensional photonic kagome crystal

We demonstrate the generation of ultrabroad spectra in a photonic crystal fiber with a kagome-lattice transverse structure. This two-dimensional periodic photonic lattice allows for strong confinement of light without employing defect states nor using photonic bandgap guiding. Light guiding is mediated by total internal reflection in the intersections of the lattice structure, similar to tapered or micro-structured fibers. The kagome lattice structure is manufactured from a soft glass with a high nonlinearity. Using a Ti:sapphire oscillator as a pump source, we observe for the first time impressive supercontinuum generation in the guided modes of a 2D photonic lattice. Supercontinuum generation is caused by fission and radiation of higher-order solitons in the anomalous dispersion range. Our spectrum encompasses the spectral range from 200 to 1750 nm. The dependence of the continuum on coupling spot location, fiber length, and pump wavelength and power as well as on pulse duration and polarization state is investigated. Using a numerical simulation for the lattice structure, pulse propagation through this structure is theoretically studied. Our model reveals the mechanism of supercontinuuum generation in the 2D photonic structure and explains the essential experimental findings.Electronic supplementary material to this article is avaiable at and accessible for authorized users.     

Spatiotemporal surface solitons in two-dimensional photonic lattices

We analyze spatiotemporal light localization in truncated two-dimensional photonic lattices and demonstrate the existence of two-dimensional surface light bullets localized in the lattice corners or the edges. We study the families of the spatiotemporal surface solitons and their properties such as bistability and compare them with the modes located deep inside the photonic lattice.     

Larger absolute photonic band gap in two-dimensional air–silicon structures

We investigate different aspects of the absolute photonic band gap (PBG) formation for two-dimensional photonic crystals, consisting of air rods drilled into silicon. Specifically, square lattices of square and circular rods are considered. The lattice symmetry, shape and orientation of the rods affect the photonic gap parameters. A symmetry reduction by addition of a smaller different shaped rod into the center of the lattice unit cell can produce significantly larger band gap. Combining the symmetry reduction and rotation of the noncircular rods yields the greatest improvements in the size of absolute band gap. We discuss the maximization of the absolute PBG width as a function of lattice parameters and the practical fabrication feasibility of these optimized structures.     

Asymmetric vortex solitons in nonlinear periodic lattices

We reveal the existence of asymmetric vortex solitons in ideally symmetric periodic lattices and show how such nonlinear localized structures describing elementary circular flows can be analyzed systematically using the energy-balance relations. We present the examples of rhomboid, rectangular, and triangular vortex solitons on a square lattice and also describe novel coherent states where the populations of clockwise and anticlockwise vortex modes change periodically due to a nonlinearity-induced momentum exchange through the lattice. Asymmetric vortex solitons are expected to exist in different nonlinear lattice systems, including optically induced photonic lattices, nonlinear photonic crystals, and Bose-Einstein condensates in optical lattices.     

光子晶体光纤超平坦色散特性的研究

利用有效折射率方法的标量近似理论对三角排列的光子晶体光纤超平坦色散特性进行了理论分析和数值模拟,研究发现改变光子晶体光纤包层空气孔半径或空气孔间距可以改变波导色散的特性,从而可以设计在不同波段,不同大小值的超平坦色散。本文的计算和分析可以为设计不同色散特性的光子晶体光纤提供理论依据。     

Design of annular photonic crystal slabs

We present the design of realistic annular photonic-crystal (APC) structures of finite thickness aiming to obtain a complete photonic bandgap (PBG). The APC is composed of dielectric rods and circular air holes in a triangular lattice such that each rod is centered within each hole. The optical and geometrical values of the structure are studied, and the interplay between various design parameters is highlighted. The coupled role of the inner-dielectric-rod radius, material types, and slab thickness is investigated. It is shown that the slab thickness is vital to obtain a complete photonic bandgap below the light line, and the specific value of the inner-dielectric-rod radius to sustain the maximum PBG if the hole radius is fixed at proper value is found.     

Fabrication of Two-Dimensional Photonic Crystals with Triangular Rods by Single-Exposure Holographic Lithography

We demonstrate a single-exposure holographic fabrication of two-dimensional photonic crystal with round- cornered triangular ＇atoms＇ arranged in a triangular lattice. Simulation results show that double absolute photonic band gaps exist in this structure. Our experimental results show that holographic lithography can be used to fabricate photonic crystals not only with various lattice structures but also with various kinds of structures of the atoms, to obtain absolute band gaps or a particular band gap structure. Furthermore, the single-exposure holographic method not only makes the fabrication process simple and convenient but also makes the structures of the atoms more perfect.     

Electrically pumped edge-emitting photonic crystal lasers with angled facets

We demonstrate electrically pumped large-area edge-emitting InGaAsP/InP two-dimensional photonic crystal lasers with angled facets at room temperature. The laser uses a weak index perturbation surface photonic crystal structure to control optical modes in the wafer plane. Measurements of the laser spectra show that the modal selection is due to satisfying the Bragg resonance conditions in both the longitudinal and the transverse directions. The lasing wavelength is tuned lithographically by changing photonic crystal lattice constants. We demonstrate a fine lasing wavelength tuning sensitivity (change of lasing wavelength over change of lattice constant) of 0.08 through the transverse lattice constant tuning.