T-shaped channel drop filter based on photonic crystal ring resonator

Photonic crystal ring resonators are promising candidates for realizing all optical filters with acceptable transmission efficiency and quality factor values. In this paper, by putting a12-fold quasi crystal at the middle of on 7 × 7 square cavity we created a ring resonator structure and designed a T-shaped channel drop filter. The drop wavelength of our filter is at 1551 nm, with transmission efficiency and quality factor equal to 90% and 387. Our structure is composed of dielectric rods immersed in air. Because in this kind of structures the dominant band gap is in TM mode, all of our simulations have been done in TM mode. The total footprint of our filter is 242.4 μm², which makes it suitable for all optical integrated circuits.     

Realization of tunable optical filter by photonic crystal ring resonators

We have designed a tunable two dimensional (2D) channel drop filter (CDF) based on photonic crystal ring resonators (PCRR). Dropping efficiency and Q factor of single improved ring are 100% and 842, respectively. In this filter the quality factor is significantly improved with respect to other published reports. We investigate parameters which have an effect on resonant wavelength in this CDF, such as dielectric constant of inner, coupling, adjacent and whole rods of the structure and radius of inner rods. The transmission spectrum for our proposed configuration has been investigated using the 2D finite difference time domain (FDTD) method. The area of the proposed structure is about 117 μm².     

Photonic band gap failure in photonic crystal devices

The photonic crystal is an artificial material with periodic dielectric constant and the key factor to preserve their band features is its periodicity. When the number of periods of photonic crystal is decreased the photonic band gap cannot prevent the light of the corresponding frequencies from propagating in photonic crystal, in another word, photonic band gap will be failure. The minimum periods of photonic crystal device which can keep photonic band gap effective in miniaturization process is analyzed, the transmittance spectrum is calculated by the Finite-difference time-domain algorithm (FDTD) [1], the minimum periods is got in the simulation and the reason which affects the minimum periods is analyzed in this paper.     

Photonic drop splitters based on self-collimation ring resonators in a silicon photonic crystal

We report here 1 × 3 and 1 × 2 photonic drop splitters (PDSs) with different splitting ratios based on self-collimation ring resonators (SCRRs) in an air-hole silicon photonic crystal. An 1 × 3 PDS consists of four beam splitters and an 1 × 2 PDS consists of three beam splitters and one mirror. Light propagates in the PDSs employing self-collimation effect. The theoretical transmission spectra at different drop ports in PDSs were analyzed with the multiple-beam interference theory. Then they were investigated with the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulation technique. The simulation results agree well with the theoretical prediction. For the drop wavelength 1550 nm, the free spectral range of the PDSs is about 29 nm, which almost covers the whole optical communication C-band window. Because of small dimensions, air-hole structure and whole-silicon material, the proposed PDSs hold great potentials for applications in photonic integrated circuits.     

A novel 4-channel demultiplexer based on photonic crystal ring resonators

A 4-channel wavelength division demultiplexer based on photonic crystal structures suitable for WDM communication applications is proposed. In order to improve the wavelength selectivity we introduce four scattering rods above and under the X-shaped ring resonators in the proposed structure. It is shown that the PBG of the structure is tuned for communication systems in both TE and TM modes but the results demonstrated that just the first PBG in TM mode is suitable for WDM applications, so all the simulations will be done in TM mode. The minimum and maximum crosstalk between channels is −23.7 dB and −7.5 dB, respectively. Also, the average channel spacing in this structure is 3 nm.     

Successive approximation-like 4-bit full-optical analog-to-digital converter based on Kerr-like nonlinear photonic crystal ring resonators

Implementing of photonic sampling and quantizing analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) enable us to extract a single binary word from optical signals without need for extra electronic assisting parts. This would enormously increase the sampling and quantizing time as well as decreasing the consumed power. To this end, based on the concept of successive approximation method, a 4-bit full-optical ADC that operates using the intensity-dependent Kerr-like nonlinearity in a two dimensional photonic crystal (2DPhC) platform is proposed. The Silicon (Si) nanocrystal is chosen because of the suitable nonlinear material characteristic. An optical limiter is used for the clamping and quantization of each successive levels that represent the ADC bits. In the proposal, an energy efficient optical ADC circuit is implemented by controlling the system parameters such as ring-to-waveguide coupling coefficients, the ring’s nonlinear refractive index, and the ring’s length. The performance of the ADC structure is verified by the simulation using finite difference time domain (FDTD) method.     

Eye-protection glasses against YAG laser injury based on the band gap reflection of one-dimensional photonic crystal

Eye-protection glasses against YAG laser injury based on band gap reflection of one-dimensional photonic crystal (PC) is designed and manufactured in this paper. The laser beam (wavelength 1.06 μm) is reflected by the one-dimensional PC (with the transmission 10⁻⁷) and absorbed by the phosphatic glass substrate (with the transmission 1% for 1.06 μm), so the transmission of the device for wavelengths of1.06 μm can reach 10⁻⁹. The glasses have enough capabilities to protect the eyes from injury of ns-YAG lasers whose energy density is 1 J/cm² for all incident angles, and also to avoid a second injury to others from the reflected laser beams. The transmission of the glasses is beyond 70% for the visible lights. The testing data of the eye-protection glasses agree well with the theoretical predictions.     

Channel drop filter using photonic crystal ring resonators for CWDM communication systems

In this paper, a new optical channel drop filter (CDF) using photonic crystal ring resonators (PCRRs) is presented. Using the two-dimensional (2D) finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method in triangular lattice photonic crystal (PC) silicon rods, 100% forward dropping efficiency and a quality factor of more than 1000 can be achieved in third communication window while the resonant wavelength is 1550 nm. Through this novel (CDF), a multi-CDF operation with 100% drop efficiencies across all channels can be obtained. The proposed device could be used in future coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) communication systems.     

Terahertz wave switch based on photonic crystal ring resonators

In this paper, we have presented a compact and integrated terahertz wave switch design based on photonic crystal ring resonators. The photonic crystal structure with square lattice is investigated and applied for design of ring resonators. The switching mechanism of this novel switch is based on the variation of the resonant frequency of the ring resonator inserted between two parallel waveguides. The refractive index of the holes of the structure filled with polyaniline electrorheological fluids are varied by applied external electric field, the result of which is the variation of the ring resonant frequency. The proposed device is analyzed by using finite difference time domain method. Numerical simulation results show that this switch has high extinction ratio, small size, low voltage and advantages of selectivity of coupling THz wave to different output ports.     

Investigation of ring resonators in photonic crystal circuits

In this paper, we propose the implementation of waveguide-coupled ring resonators in photonic crystal integrated circuits. Using two-dimensional finite difference time domain (2D FDTD) method, we study the spectral characteristics of a waveguide-coupled ring carved in two-dimensional photonic crystal of square lattice (2D SLPC) and based on the results, we suitably modify the structure geometry to establish its performance as a ring resonator. We further investigate the effects of ring dimension and crystal parameters on the resonance properties of the ring resonator.     

A new design of tunable four-port wavelength demultiplexer by photonic crystal ring resonators

A four-channel wavelength demultiplexer based on photonic crystal ring resonators (PCRR), which can be used for photonic integrated circuits, is designed. Dropping efficiency and Q factor of single improved ring are 100% and 842, respectively. In order to achieve the structure of demultiplexer, three improved rings have been used, that every ring has an individual inner rod radius; it means that each ring has a varying resonant wavelength. The results of simulation using finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method in our proposed structure reveals an average transmitted power higher than 90% for each output port, Channel spacing is about 8 nm and bandwidth for each individual channel is about 2.8 nm. The mean value of the crosstalk between output channels and the area of the proposed structure are about −29 dB and 317 μm², respectively. By changing the radius of inner rods, various wavelengths can be chosen, therefore this device is tunable.     

Photonic crystal bends and power splitters based on ring resonators

In this paper, theoretical and numerical analysis of low-loss right angle waveguide bends and T-junctions based on ultra-compact photonic crystal ring resonators (PCRR) is presented. Desirable characteristics are obtained by designing the waveguide bends and T-junctions as low-Q resonant cavities with certain symmetries and small radiation loss. A simple analysis, based on coupled mode theory (CMT) in time, is used to explain the operation principles which agree qualitatively with the numerical results. These structures have high transmission efficiency over a large bandwidth in third communication window. Also effects of changing the ring size on power splitter transmission characteristics are discussed. The perfect transmission and zero reflection conditions are discussed by applying coupled mode theory. Results obtained by the finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulations are consistent with those from the coupled mode theory.     

Four-channel optical demultiplexer based on hexagonal photonic crystal ring resonators

In this paper, photonic crystal ring resonators with hexagonal lattice structure are used to design a four-channel optical demultiplexer. The structure size, the average transfer coefficient, the quality factor, and the channel spacing are equal to 424.5 µm², 95.8%, 1943, and 2 nm, respectively. The average crosstalk is also computed to be ?18.11 dB. In this study, the plane wave expansion (PWE) and finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) methods are used, respectively, to characterize the photonic bandgap and to investigate the optical behavior of the structure. The proposed design can be used in dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) systems.     

Graphene based photonic crystal optical filter: Design and exploration of the tunability

Optical characteristics of two new graphene based photonic crystals are studied in detail. A structure containing alternating layers of graphene and SiO₂ slabs is considered as the ideal crystal. The dependency of the photonic band gaps (PBGs) to the dielectric layer thickness and the period number is explored at first step. Potential of the proposed crystal to be used as an optical filter is then investigated. Adding a nonlinear electro-optic polymer as a defect layer, the alterations of the optical features are inspected. Results show that the defect layer insertion causes a resonant mode inside the PBGs. However, the location of the defect layer inside the crystal is very effective on both the frequency and width of the resonant mode. Tunability of the optical features is probed by taking into account of the dependencies to the wave incident angle, graphene chemical potential and the applied external voltage to the defect layer.     

On‐demand photonic crystal resonators

Recent progress in the field of re‐locatable photonic crystal resonators is discussed with a particular emphasis on the flexible scheme that employs highly‐curved microfiber. In this scheme a spectrally‐tunable high‐quality‐factor resonator can be defined repeatedly by physically moving a curved microfiber to a new position. When a curved microfiber is placed on top of a photonic crystal waveguide (or photonic crystal), a photonic well is newly created in the vicinity of the contact point. Inside of this photonic well, high‐quality‐factor resonant modes are generated at frequencies below the cutoff edge of the guided mode. The tapered microfiber is an integral part of a single mode optical fiber and efficient out‐coupling is naturally obtained. The sub‐nanometer spectral tuning capability that is available by changing the curvature of the microfiber is also an important characteristic and discussed. This spectrally‐ and spatially‐reconfigurable photonic crystal resonator is expected to be a potential platform for photonic crystal based single photon sources, which enables accurate spatial overlap and spectral overlap with a single quantum dot, together with straightforward photon out‐coupling to the fiber with high efficiency.     

Numerical analysis of a temperature sensor based on the photonic band gap effect in a photonic crystal fiber

In this paper we investigate, by the plane wave expansion method and an analytical model, the temperature effect on the photonic band gap fiber, and we report on a numerical demonstration of a temperature sensor based on the photonic band gap (PBG) shift in a solid core photonic crystal fiber (PCF) infiltrated with a high refractive index oil. The bandwidth and the position of the central wavelength of the band gap are the parameters of interests for our temperature sensing purpose. Simulation results were found to be in excellent agreement with the refractive index scaling law and the highest sensitivity of 3.21?nm/°C was achieved, and it will be even higher than the grating based sensors written in PCFs with similar structure.     

Effect of anisotropy on the photonic band gap and surface polaritons of a one-dimensional single-negative photonic crystal

The effect of anisotropy on the photonic band structure and surface polaritons of a one-dimensional photonic crystal made of uniaxially anisotropic epsilon-negative (ε<0,μ>0) and mu-negative (ε>0,μ<0) metamaterials is theoretically investigated. Two different cases of uniaxially anisotropic epsilon-negative and mu-negative metamaterials are considered. It is found out that for one case of anisotropy, one-dimensional photonic crystal does not have any single-negative band gap. As a result, it can not support the surface polaritons. While, for another case, the structure shows single-negative band gaps. So, the surface polaritons can be excited at the interface of such a photonic crystal. However, these surface polaritons, unlike the isotropic case, are not omnidirectional and they are restricted to a limited rang of the propagation constant.     

A 2D rods-in-air square-lattice photonic crystal optical switch

A 2D photonic crystal optical switch is proposed based on a rods-in-air square-lattice photonic crystal by removing two cross-lines of rods from a 2D square-lattice photonic crystal to form four optical channels. The simulation results show that, when inserting a single rod along the diagonal line of the intersection area of two removed cross-lines of rods, the position of the single inserted rod determines how much incident energy goes into different channels. In the case of transverse magnetic (TM) Gaussian point source, time domain simulation shows that up to 87.3% of the incident energy can be switched into a channel, which is vertical to the source channel. Because there are two diagonal lines in the intersection area of two removed cross-lines of rods, the optical switch feature is achieved by shifting the inserted rod between two diagonal lines. It is also found that the magnitude of the reflected wave in the source channel varies greatly with spatial position of the single inserted rod. The larger the magnitude of the reflected wave in the source channel, the less the energy that goes into the switched channel. The time delay between the incident wave and the reflected wave in the source channel is also related to the position of the single inserted rod. In addition, the large time delay between the incident wave and the reflected wave in the source channel shows that the reflected wave encounters many reflections with the walls of the source channel, instead of waves reflected back from the single inserted rod.     

Scaling properties of a tetragonal photonic crystal design having a large complete bandgap

Photonic crystal structures (PCs) of tetragonal lattice type are introduced and studied. They feature complete three-dimensional (3D) photonic bandgaps (PBGs). The PC design is based on two systems of ordered, parallel pores being perpendicular to each other. For increasing pore radii, the pore systems interpenetrate and an inverted woodpile geometry arises. The size of the 3D bandgaps depends on the ratio of the cell parameters L_x, L_y, and L_z, the pore radii and the refractive index of the dielectric material. If realized as a silicon/air structure, the maximum 3D gap is larger than 25%. A possible fabrication route for the near-infrared is based on 2D macroporous silicon where perpendicular pores are drilled, e.g., by focused-ion-beam etching. The dispersion behaviour of the PCs is theoretically analysed (band structures, density-of-states), systematically varying all relevant parameters. The optimization of the PBG sizes as well as a possible tunability of the PBG energies are discussed.     

Optical properties of a three-dimensional silicon square spiral photonic crystal

We report the fabrication and optical characterization of a tetragonal square spiral photonic crystal with a three-dimensional relative band gap of approximately 10% using the glancing angle deposition (GLAD) technique. This thin film structure is produced in a one-step process that is highly versatile as a wide range of crystal structures can be created simply through the variation of deposition parameters. Measurements indicate upper and lower frequency band edges at vacuum wavelengths of 2.50 and 2.75 μm, in the infrared region of the spectrum.