Double-resonant extremely asymmetrical scattering of electromagnetic waves in non-uniform periodic arrays

A new type of Bragg scattering – double-resonant extremely asymmetrical scattering (DEAS) of optical waves in oblique, non-uniform, periodic Bragg arrays is analysed theoretically and numerically. Steady-state DEAS is demonstrated to occur in the extremely asymmetrical geometry where the scattered wave propagates parallel to the front array boundary. The non-uniform array is represented by two joint uniform, strip-like, periodic arrays with different phases (and amplitudes) of the grating. DEAS is characterised by a unique combination of two simultaneous resonances with respect to frequency and phase variation at the interface between the joint arrays. As a result, a strong resonant increase in the scattered wave amplitude compared with the amplitude of the incident wave is predicted and investigated theoretically. The amplitude of the incident wave inside the array is also shown to increase resonantly in the middle of the array where the step-like variation in the phase of the grating takes place. The effect of different widths of the joint arrays, and magnitudes of the grating amplitudes on DEAS is analysed. Physical explanations of this type of scattering, based on the diffractional divergence of the scattered wave from one of the joint arrays into another, are presented.