Experimental demonstration of self-collimation inside a three-dimensional photonic crystal

We present our experimental demonstration of self-collimation inside a three-dimensional (3D) simple cubic photonic crystal at microwave frequencies. The photonic crystal was designed with unique dispersion property and fabricated by a high precision computer-controlled machine. The self-collimation modes were excited by a grounded waveguide feeding and detected by a scanning monopole. Self-collimation of electromagnetic waves in the 3D photonic crystal was demonstrated by measuring the 3D field distribution, which was shown as a narrow collimated beam inside the 3D photonic crystal but a diverged beam in the absence of the photonic crystal.     

Polarization insensitive self-collimation waveguide in square lattice annular photonic crystals

The frequency bands for self-collimation at both TE and TM polarizations in square lattice annular photonic crystals are studied systematically by plane-wave expansion and finite difference time domain methods. By increasing the inner ring radius or reducing the outer ring radius, the self-collimation band will be moved to a lower frequency. Compared with the TM modes, TE ones have different frequency sensitivities to both the inner ring radius and outer ring radius tuning. Using these features, a polarization insensitive self-collimation waveguide in a high dielectric contrast system with bandwidth up to 102.9 nm is demonstrated as an example of the implementation of photonic integration circuits.     

Millimeter-scale self-collimation in planar photonic crystals fabricated by CMOS technology

We report self-collimating demonstration in planar photonic crystals (PhCs) fabricated in silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers using 0.18 μm silicon complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) techniques. This process is original in the context of self-collimating PhC. Emphasis was on demonstrating self-collimation effect through the use of standard CMOS equipment and process development of an optical test chip using a high-volume manufacturing facility. The PhC were designed on 230 nm-top-Si layer using a square lattice of air-holes with 270 nm in diameter. The lattice constant of the PhC was 380 nm. The 1 mm self-collimation was observed at the wavelengths of 1620 nm.     

Resonant three-dimensional photonic crystals

The theory of the exciton-polariton band structure of a resonant three-dimensional photonic crystal is developed for an arbitrary dielectric contrast and an arbitrary effective mass of an exciton excited in a composite material. The calculation is performed for a periodic array of semiconductor balls embedded in a dielectric matrix. The position of the lower polariton dispersion branches is shown to depend monotonically on the exciton effective mass and to be governed by the interaction of light with the first several states of a mechanical exciton quantum-confined within each ball. The effect of excitonic states on the band gap of a photonic crystal in the [001] direction is considered analytically in terms of a two-wave approximation.     

Mesoscopic self-collimation and slow light in all-positive index layered photonic crystals

We demonstrate a mesoscopic self-collimation effect in photonic crystal superlattices consisting of a periodic set of all-positive index 2D photonic crystal and homogeneous layers. We develop an electromagnetic theory showing that diffraction-free beams are observed when the curvature of the optical dispersion relation is properly compensated for. This approach allows us to combine slow-light regime together with self-collimation in photonic crystal superlattices presenting an extremely low filling ratio in air.     

Waveguide circuits in three-dimensional photonic crystals

Waveguide circuits in three-dimensional photonic crystals with complete photonic band gaps are simulated with finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulations, and compared with measurements on microwave scale photonic crystals. The transmission through waveguide bends critically depends on the photonic crystal architecture in the bend region. We have found experimentally and theoretically, a new waveguide bend configuration consisting of overlapping rods in the bend region, that performs better than the simple waveguide bend of terminated rods, especially in the higher frequency portion of the band. Efficient beam splitters with this junction geometry are also simulated.     

Engineering disorder in three-dimensional photonic crystals

We demonstrate the effect of introducing controlled disorder in self-assembled three-dimensional photonic crystals. Disorders are induced through controlling the self-assembling process using an electrolyte of specific concentrations. Structural characterization reveals increase in disorder with increase in concentrations of the electrolyte. Reflectivity and transmittance spectra are measured to probe the photonic stop gap at different levels of controlled disorder. With increase in disorder the stop gap is vanished and that results in a fully random photonic nanostructure where the diffuse scattered intensity reaches up to 100%. The estimated scattering mean free path shows significant reduction for photonic crystals with 100% controlled disorder as compared to those with 0% controlled disorder. Our random photonic nanostructure is unique in which all scatters have the same size and shape. Therefore, we observe the resonant characteristics in the multiple scattering of light.     

Layer-by-layer three-dimensional chiral photonic crystals

We fabricate and characterize polymeric three-dimensional layer-by-layer chiral photonic crystals. The obtained circular dichroism from polarization stop bands is comparable with that of recently demonstrated circular-spiral photonic crystals. Moreover, telecommunication wavelengths are easily accessible with the layer-by-layer approach; even visible wavelengths are in reach.     

Experimental demonstration of self-collimation beaming and splitting in photonic crystals at microwave frequencies

I studied experimentally beam self-collimation and splitting in two-dimensional microwave photonic crystals. Using a microwave photonic crystal fabricated from alumina rods, I present an experimental proof of principle for an earlier theoretical proposal [A.F. Matthews, S.K. Morrison, Yu.S. Kivshar, Opt. Commun. 279 (2007) 313] of a photonic crystal beam splitter based on the self-collimation effect.     

Stimulated Raman scattering in three-dimensional photonic crystals

The results of experimental studies of stimulated Raman scattering of light (SRS) excited in three-dimensional photonic crystals — synthetic opal matrices infiltrated with Raman active media are presented. It is shown that the SRS threshold in such structures decreases with respect to the SRS threshold in Raman active bulk materials. The influence of the photonic-band structure of the active materials used on the SRS properties is estimated.     

Spiral three-dimensional photonic crystals for telecommunications spectral range

Three-dimensional photonic crystals consisting of periodic arrays of spiral columns were fabricated in a commercially available photoresist (SU-8) by a direct laser writing technique. Tailoring the pre- and post-processing conditions for the photoresist has enabled the recording of extended, self-supporting periodic structures with sub-diffraction resolution. Pronounced photonic stop gaps were observed at wavelengths between 1.5 and 1.8 μm, close to the telecommunications region. These structures can be used as accurate and robust templates for subsequent infiltration by materials with higher refractive index. PACS 42.65.Re; 42.70.-a; 42.70.Qs     

Ultrafast optical switching in three-dimensional photonic crystals

We present the first experimental investigation of ultrafast optical switching in a three-dimensional photonic crystal made of a Si-opal composite. Ultrafast (30 fs) changes in reflectivity around the photonic stop band up to 1% were measured for moderate pump power (70 microJ/cm(2)). Short-lived photoexcited carriers in silicon induce changes in the dielectric constant of Si and diminish the constructive interference inside the photonic crystal. The results are analyzed within a model based on a two-band mixing formalism.     

A tunable power splitter based on modes coupling and self-collimation effect in two-dimensional photonic crystals

A tunable power splitter is proposed in a two-dimensional photonic crystal with a line defect composed of two rows rods, whose refractive index can be controlled artificially. This device is working at a self-collimation frequency. The finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulations show that the beam splitting ratio is a function of the refractive index of line defect. If the index varies from 3.0 to 3.5, the beam intensity of one output port decreases from 87.2% (normalized by the input beam) to 0 while the intensity of the other output port increases from 8.98% to 100% monotonically. The coupling between the self-collimation mode and the defect mode is used to explain the working mechanism.     

Imaging single quantum dots in three-dimensional photonic crystals

Performing fluorescence wide-field microscopy we have imaged single semiconductor quantum dots deep inside a 3-dimensional photonic crystal prepared from colloidal polymer beads. Exploring the emission diffraction patterns in defocused images of quantum dots we demonstrate that the direction-dependent photonic stop band imprints an anisotropy to the angular emission of a single quantum dot. Hence a single, quasi-point-like emitter is manipulated to radiate its photons only to certain well-defined directions by means of the anisotropic light propagation in photonic crystals. The experiments thus provide new routes to evaluate local, frequency selective optical properties in 3-dimensional photonic crystals employing single emitters.     

Enhanced photoluminescence from three-dimensional ZnO photonic crystals

We have fabricated optically active ZnO inverse opals by infiltrating polystyrene (PS) opal templates using an electrodeposition process. Compared with bare ZnO films also prepared by electrodeposition, the three-dimensional (3D) ordered ZnO structure exhibits markedly enhanced photoluminescence. The effect of photonic band gap on PL spectra is also clearly observed from the ZnO inverse opal structure.     

Planar defects in three-dimensional chalcogenide glass photonic crystals

Here we report on the direct laser writing fabrication of Fabry-Perot-type planar microcavities in a three-dimensional (3D) photonic crystal (PhC) embedded within a high-refractive nonlinear chalcogenide glass (ChG) film. The fabricated planar microcavities in a nonlinear ChG 3D PhC facilitate the observation of resonant modes inside the stop gap. The experimental results show that the length of the planar cavity can be well controlled by the fabrication power and thus be used to tune the defect modes. The tunability of the observed defect modes is confirmed by the theoretical prediction.     

Broadband large-angle self-collimation in two-dimensional silicon photonic crystal

We report a two-dimensional silicon photonic crystal structure that supports the self-collimation effect with large incident angles over a broad wavelength range. We theoretically and experimentally show the propagation light in the designed and fabricated structure without diffraction. Broadband large-angle self-collimation is observed in infrared wavelength.     

Fabrication of three-dimensional photonic crystals with tunable photonic properties by biotemplating

Photonic crystals with tunable D-surface structures for possible high-temperature gas- and temperature-sensing applications were prepared by a biotemplating method. This included infiltrating colored scales of the beetle Entimus imperialis with an organopolysiloxane mixture followed by simultaneous combustion of the template and calcination of the cured organopolysiloxane. A high-yield inorganic silica-based replica of the original structure was obtained, which is capable of withstanding temperatures up to 600 °C. Light- and scanning electron microscopy combined with focused ion beam milling showed a precise replication of the whole scales and their internal D-surface structure. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the complete curing of the organopolysiloxanes and their transformation into amorphous silica during calcination. The dielectric constant of the manufactured materials determined by Abbé refractometry was ? = 2.3180 and used to perform band structure calculations utilizing the plane wave expansion method. By changing the chain length and degree of crosslinking of the organopolysiloxane precursor mixture, the lattice parameters and filling factors, and therefore the photonic properties of the replicas, could be tuned.     

Scalable interference lithography alignment for fabrication of three-dimensional photonic crystals

Holographic lithography is an ideal technique for fabricating three-dimensional photonic crystals. However, a critical stage in the fabrication is the minute alignment of the layers with one another. We present a simple moirelike alignment technique with better than 20-nm translation resolution and 45-murad rotation resolution. This technique can easily be extended to other situations when low-cost, high-precision alignment is needed.