Capsize of polarization in dilute photonic crystals

Zhyrair Gevorkian,Emilio Cuevas,Vladimir Gasparian,Arsen Hakhoumian

doi:10.1038/s41598-017-16847-8

Abstract

We investigate, experimentally and theoretically, polarization rotation effects in dilute photonic crystals with transverse permittivity inhomogeneity perpendicular to the traveling direction of waves. A capsize, namely a drastic change of polarization to the perpendicular direction is observed in a one-dimensional photonic crystal in the frequency range 10 ÷ 140 GHz. To gain more insights into the rotational mechanism, we have developed a theoretical model of dilute photonic crystal, based on Maxwell’s equations with a spatially dependent two dimensional inhomogeneous dielectric permittivity. We show that the polarization’s rotation can be explained by an optical splitting parameter appearing naturally in Maxwell’s equations for magnetic or electric fields components. This parameter is an optical analogous of Rashba like spin-orbit interaction parameter present in quantum waves, introduces a correction to the band structure of the two-dimensional Bloch states, creates the dynamical phase shift between the waves propagating in the orthogonal directions and finally leads to capsizing of the initial polarization. Excellent agreement between theory and experiment is found.

Highlights

We investigate, experimentally and theoretically, polarization rotation effects in dilute photonic crystals with transverse permittivity inhomogeneity perpendicular to the traveling direction of waves
In this paper we investigate, experimentally and theoretically, the polarization rotation (PR) effects in a dilute photonic crystals (DPC) with transverse permittivity inhomogeneity perpendicular to the z–traveling direction of waves
Using the same parabolic approximation, mentioned above, we show that the polarization’s rotation in 1d and 2d DPCs can be explained by an optical splitting parameter appearing naturally in Maxwell’s equations for magnetic or electric fields components

Summary

OPEN Capsize of polarization in dilute photonic crystals

Experimentally and theoretically, polarization rotation effects in dilute photonic crystals with transverse permittivity inhomogeneity perpendicular to the traveling direction of waves. Using the same parabolic approximation, mentioned above, we show that the polarization’s rotation in 1d and 2d DPCs can be explained by an optical splitting parameter appearing naturally in Maxwell’s equations for magnetic or electric fields components This term is an optical analogous of Rashba type spin-orbit interaction parameter, introduces a correction to the band structure of the two-dimensional Bloch states, creates the dynamical phase shift between. The last term in l.h.s. of equation (1) accounts for the contribution of the dielectric permittivity inhomogeneity and, as we will see below, introduces a correction to the band structure of the two-dimensional Bloch states This correction creates the dynamical phase shift between the waves propagating in the orthogonal directions in the xy–plain and leads to capsizing of the initial polarization of H. If V ≠ 0 the electronic energy bands are split byVand as a consequence the polarization of the propagated light is rotated

Spectrum of photonic crystal

Conclusions

Additional Information