Abstract
We introduce a new "universality class" of artificial optical media - photonic hyper-crystals. These hyperbolic metamaterials with periodic spatial variation of dielectric permittivity on subwavelength scale, combine the features of optical metamaterials and photonic crystals. In particular, surface waves supported by a hyper-crystal, possess the properties of both the optical Tamm states in photonic crystals and surface plasmon polaritons at the metal-dielectric interface.
Highlights
Metamaterials [1] and photonic crystals [2] currently represent the primary building blocks for novel nanophotonic devices
With the goal of ultimate control over the light propagation, an artificial optical material must rely on either the effect of a subwavelength pattern that changes the average electromagnetic response of the medium [3,4] or on Bragg scattering of light due to a periodic spatial variation that is comparable to the wavelength [5,6]. By virtue of this inherent scale separation, the corresponding metamaterial and photonic crystal concepts are generally considered mutually exclusive within the same environment
In the metamaterial limit a ≪ λ0 [1], the electromagnetic response of the composite can be described in terms of its effective permittivity and permeability tensors, whose elements are defined by the geometry and the composition of the unit cell [3]. In contrast to this behavior, optical Bragg scattering in the photonic crystal regime a ≳ λ0 leads to a nontrivial wave dispersion that can no longer be described by the averaged refractive index; it leads to the formation of the band gaps in the propagating wave spectrum [2]
Summary
Metamaterials [1] and photonic crystals [2] currently represent the primary building blocks for novel nanophotonic devices. With the goal of ultimate control over the light propagation, an artificial optical material must rely on either the effect of a subwavelength pattern that changes the average electromagnetic response of the medium [3,4] or on Bragg scattering of light due to a periodic spatial variation that is comparable to the wavelength [5,6]. By virtue of this inherent scale separation, the corresponding metamaterial and photonic crystal concepts are generally considered mutually exclusive within the same environment. With Bragg reflections taking part of the “load” in light confinement, when compared to the conventional surface-plasmon polaritons at the metal-dielectric interface, these “hyperplasmons” can show both stronger localization (larger wave numbers) and lower loss
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