One-dimensional Photonic Band Gap Structures Research Articles

Theoretical analysis of a palladium-based one-dimensional metallo-dielectric photonic band gap structure for applications to H2 sensors

In this paper we report a numerical study of a palladium-based metallo-dielectric photonic band gap structure for the purpose of detecting H2. In particular, and as an example, we will explore applications to the diagnosis of lactose malabsorption, more commonly known as lactose intolerance condition. This pathology occurs as a result of an incomplete absorption or digestion of different substances, causing an increased spontaneous emission of H2 in human breath. Palladium is considered in order to exploit its well known ability to absorb hydrogen spontaneously. The proposed structure is particularly able to detect the lactose malabsorption level of the patient with relatively high sensitivity and rapidity.

Optical bistability at angular incidence in a one-dimensional photonic crystal containing single negative materials

Nonlinear wave propagation is studied theoretically in a one-dimensional photonic band gap structure containing single negative materials. It is found that Kerr nonlinearity is greatly enhanced near the lower edge of a recently explored angular gap for transverse magnetic polarized light. Consequently, optical bistability is achieved at very low values of input intensity in a periodic structure composed of only a few repeating units. The characteristics of optical bistability are affected only slightly with the variation of the incident angle and thickness ratio of the layers. The effect of losses is also found to be relatively insignificant in such a small structure.

The use of a deformable photonic crystal for millimeter-wave beam steering

A deformable photonic band gap (PBG) material is theoretically proposed as a transmissive element for beam steering at 77GHz. The deformation may be achieved by integrating microsprings (as spacers) into a one-dimensional PBG structure. This PBG material can produce a specific phase shift dependent on its spacer thickness. By varying the spacer thickness, we generate a continuous phase gradient across the element. Such a PBG device is experimentally realized, capable of beam deflection of up to ±15° and suitable for beam scanning for smart automobile radar application.

Coherence effects in propagation through one-dimensional photonic bandgap structures with a rough glass interface

The effect of the coherence of a beam traveling through a photonic 1D structure coupled with a rough glass is studied. The analysis is made for the case of spatial coherence showing the possibility to determine the coherence characteristics of the beam by an examination of the output field. We have shown that starting from a simple plane wave with Gaussian partial spatial coherence, we still obtain a partial coherence process on the output of the system, which, however, is no more Gaussian. The output process is no more a stationary Gaussian process. The output field correlation now depends not only on the distance between two points, but also on their position.

Properties of the angular gap in a one-dimensional photonic band gap structure containing single negative materials

Properties of the angular gap in a one-dimensional photonic band gap structure containing single negative materials are investigated. This gap forms at oblique incidence due to the total internal reflection into air when the Snell's law breaks down. Its lower edge occurs at the frequency where the refractive index of one or both layers of the structure approaches zero. This gap is found to be highly sensitive to the incident angle and the polarization of the incident light, but is not affected by the thickness ratio of the layers. It is also shown that the electric field gets extremely enhanced at the lower edge of this gap for transverse magnetic polarization. This highly enhanced electric field can be utilized for certain applications.

Tunable absorption resonance in electromechanical one-dimensional metallodielectric photonic band gap structures

We present the results of an experimental study of an electromechanical, one-dimensional, metallodielectric photonic band gap structure. We monitor the reflectance as a function of the thickness of an air gap located inside the stack. The results suggest that, by changing the thickness of the air gap by approximately 20 nm, a large contrast can be achieved between high- and low-reflectance states, as reflectance switches from a fraction of a percent to about 70%. Using this approach, we are able to selectively remove a relatively narrow but tunable wavelength range from the reflected spectrum, thus making possible applications to accelerometers, linear optical switches, modulators, and other specialized filters in the visible range. The characteristic absorption spectrum can be controlled by varying air gap and dielectric layer thicknesses.

Optical bistability and multistability in one-dimensional photonic band gap structures

We study optical bistability and multistability in multilayer coupled-cavity thin film structures comprised of high-index and low-index materials. The reduction of the bistable threshold and necessary index change are studied as functions of structural parameters by explicitly mapping the evolution of transmission and phase. We find that the coupled-cavity structure has no clear advantage over single-cavity structures for bistable operation. However, there is an advantage in using coupled-cavity structures for multistability in that the threshold for multistability can be reduced.

Optical bistability in one-dimensional photonic band gap structures with coupled nonlinear defects

Using the transfer matrix method, we study the transmission property of one-dimensional photonic band gap structure with two coupled nonlinear defects separated by a linear middle layer and find that such composite structure exhibits a bistability that’s strongly dependent of the linear middle layer. The switching threshold values can be greatly reduced just by choosing the proper parameters of the linear middle layer.

Label-Free Quantitative Detection of Protein Using Macroporous Silicon Photonic Bandgap Biosensors

A label-free biosensor was demonstrated using macroporous silicon (pore size >100 nm) one-dimensional photonic band gap structures that are very sensitive to refractive index changes. In this study, we employed Tir-IBD (translocated Intimin receptor-Intimin binding domain) and Intimin-ECD (extracellular domain of Intimin) as the probe and target, respectively. These two recombinant proteins comprise the extracellular domains of two key proteins responsible for the pathogenicity of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC). The optical response of the sensor was characterized so that the capture of Intimin-ECD could be quantitatively determined. Our result shows that the concentration sensitivity limit of the sensor is currently 4 microM of Intimin-ECD. This corresponds to a detection limit of approximately 130 fmol of Intimin-ECD. We have also investigated the dependence of the sensor performance on the Tir-IBD probe molecule concentration and the effect of immobilization on the Tir-IBD/Intimin-ECD equilibrium dissociation constant. A calibration curve generated from purified Intimin-ECD solutions was used to quantify the concentration of Intimin-ECD in an E. coli BL21 bacterial cell lysate, and results were validated using gel electrophoresis. This work demonstrates for the first time that a macroporous silicon microcavity sensor can be used to selectively and quantitatively detect a specific target protein with micromolar dissociation constant (Kd) in a milieu of bacterial proteins with minimal sample preparation.

Surface electromagnetic waves in Fibonacci superlattices: Theoretical and experimental results

We study theoretically and experimentally the existence and behavior of the localized surface modes in one-dimensional (1D) quasiperiodic photonic band gap structures. These structures are made of segments and loops arranged according to a Fibonacci sequence. The experiments are carried out by using coaxial cables in the frequency region of a few tens of MHz. We consider 1D periodic structures (superlattice) where each cell is a well-defined Fibonacci generation. In these structures, we generalize a theoretical rule on the surface modes, namely when one considers two semi-infinite superlattices obtained by the cleavage of an infinite superlattice, it exists exactly one surface mode in each gap. This mode is localized on the surface either of one or the other semi-infinite superlattice. We discuss the existence of various types of surface modes and their spatial localization. The experimental observation of these modes is carried out by measuring the transmission through a guide along which a finite superlattice (i.e., constituted of a finite number of quasiperiodic cells) is grafted vertically. The surface modes appear as maxima of the transmission spectrum. These experiments are in good agreement with the theoretical model based on the formalism of the Green function.

Photonic band gap control in one-dimensional dielectric Bragg structures

One-dimensional photonic band gap structures have been studied for applications in many branches of physics. Numerical and experimental studies of wave scattering and interference inside one-dimensional photonic band gap structures based on a rectangular waveguide filled with a double-sided corrugated dielectric are presented. The experimental data and theoretical predictions obtained are compared and discussed. It is shown experimentally that variation of the relative phase of the one-dimensional perturbations with respect to each other results in a change of the band gap parameters in accordance with the predictions.

Analysis of Three Coupled Defects in One-Dimensional PhotonicBandgap Structure

The mutual interaction of three different defects in photonic crystalsis studied theoretically. A theoretical model based on the classicalwave analogue of the tight-binding (TB) picture is applied to thestructure. We obtain analytic expressions for the eigenfrequencies andeigenmodes, from which the transmissions at resonance are derived.Based on this, a new type of the photonic quantum-well structure isinvestigated and its possible application is discussed. The TBpredictions are compared with the transfer matrix method simulationresults.

FILTERS, MIRRORS AND MICROCAVITIES FROM POROUS SILICON

In this paper we report the detailed fabrication and experimental characterization of porous silicon one-dimensional photonic bandgap structures for specific photonic applications. These structures have been prepared on silicon substrate as well as free standing and can be proven useful for a large variety of applications such as high quality dielectric mirrors and filters.

Picosecond pump-probe measurement of bandgap changes in SiO2/TiO2 one-dimensional photonic bandgap structures

A picosecond pump-probe nonlinear optical measurement is performed in SiO2/TiO2 one-dimensional photonic bandgap structures fabricated by a solgel method. Both high and low band edges were examined by varying the probe wavelengths and angle tuning was also employed to further clarify the mechanism of a nonlinear optical response. The third-order nonlinear optical response in one-dimensional photonic bandgap structures that comprise TiO2 films is responsible for the nonlinear optical transmissions at both bandgap edges, with an 8% decrease at the low-energy edge and a 4.5% increase at the high-energy edge for a 355 nm pump intensity of 430 MW/cm2.

MULTIPLE-SCALE ANALYSIS OF PLANE WAVE REFRACTION AT A DIELECTRIC SLAB WITH KERR-TYPE NONLINEARITY

Multiple-scale analysis is employed for the analysis of plane wave refraction at a nonlinear slab. It will be demonstrated that the perturbation method will lead to a nonuniformly valid approximation to the solution of the nonlinear wave equation. To construct a uniformly valid approximation, we will exploit multiple- scale analysis. Using this method, we will derive the zeroth- order approximation to the solution of the nonlinear wave equation analytically. This approximate solution clearly shows the effects of self-phase modulation (SPM) and cross-phase modulation (XPM) on plane wave refraction at the nonlinear slab. In fact, the obtained zeroth-order approximation is very accurate and there is not any need for derivation of higher-order approximations. As will be shown, the proposed method can be generalized to the rigorous study of nonlinear wave propagation in one-dimensional photonic band-gap structures.

Compact double-grating coupler between vertically stacked silicon-on-insulator waveguides

We analyze a compact double-grating coupler that provides coupling through radiation modes between two vertically stacked silicon-on-insulator waveguides. The grating is sufficiently strong to be considered a one-dimensional photonic bandgap structure that facilitates a short coupling length. Simulations suggest that a 29% coupling efficiency is achievable in coupling light from one waveguide to another with 12.9 microm long binary gratings. We found that the coupling efficiency is enhanced by Fabry-Perot resonance between two gratings. The coupling efficiency can be increased by use of a blazed grating. We use the eigenmode expansion method to design and optimize the binary grating coupler, and the results are verified by use of the finite-difference time-domain method.

Propagation and localization of electromagnetic waves in quasiperiodic serial loop structures

We study the propagation of electromagnetic waves in one-dimensional quasiperiodic photonic band gap structures made of serial loop structures separated by segments. Different quasiperiodic structures such as Fibonacci, Thue-Morse, Rudin-Shapiro, and double period are investigated with special focus on the Fibonacci structure. Depending on the lengths of the two arms constituting the loops, one can distinguish two particular cases. (i) There are symmetric loop structures, which are shown to be equivalent to impedance-modulated mediums. In this case, it is found that besides the existence of extended and forbidden modes, some narrow frequency bands appear as defect modes in the transmission spectrum inside the gaps. These modes are shown to be localized within only one of the two types of blocks constituting the structure. An analysis of the transmission phase time enables us to derive the group velocity as well as the density of states in these structures. In particular, the stop bands (localized modes) may give rise to unusual (strong normal) dispersion in the gaps, yielding fast (slow) group velocities above (below) the velocity of light. (ii) There are also asymmetric loop structures, where the loops play the role of resonators that may introduce transmission zeros and hence additional gaps unnoticed in the case of simple impedance-modulated mediums. A comparison of the transmission amplitude and phase time of Fibonacci systems with those of other quasiperiodic systems is also outlined. In particular, it was shown that these structures present similar behaviors in the transmission spectra inside the regions of extended modes, whereas they present different localized modes inside the gaps. Experiments and numerical calculations are in very good agreement.

Stopping, storing, and releasing light in quantum-well Bragg structures

We present a theoretical analysis of light propagation in one-dimensional resonant photonic bandgap structures (RPBGs). The analysis is aimed at evaluating the feasibility of controlled stopping, storing, and releasing of light pulses by parametric manipulation of the RPBG's bandstructure. First we lay the conceptual foundation of light-pulse delay by means of band structure control in infinite RPBGs, and then we contrast the idealized concepts with numerical results for realistic, finite-sized RPBGs. For a physical model for RPBGs, we use semiconductor quantum-well Bragg structures, but the general analysis is valid for a wider class of RPBG. We show that the usefulness of RPBGs for optical delay lines depends critically on the number of quantum wells and the dephasing and loss mechanisms in each unit cell of the RPBG, and we also outline optimization strategies in terms of spectral light characteristics as well as quasi-antireflection coating of the RPBGs.

Observation of photonic band-gap control in one-dimensional Bragg structures

The results of experimental studies of scattering and interference of waves in one-dimensional photonic band-gap structures based on coaxial waveguides with corrugated inner and outer conductors are presented. Using numerical simulations and experimental measurements, the possibility to control the band-gap parameters is demonstrated. The experimental and theoretical results obtained are compared and discussed. It is shown that the variation of the relative phase of the one-dimensional corrugations with respect to each other results in a change of the band-gap parameters in accordance with simulated predictions.

An improved design of microstrip patch antennas using photonic bandgap structure

Microstrip antennas inherently have a high input impedance at resonant frequency. This may not be convenient for some applications. For active integrated antennas, moreover, the radiated power of microstrip antennas needs to be very low at harmonic frequencies. The main goals of this study are impedance matching and harmonic suppression of microstrip antennas. In order to meet these requirements, two one-dimensional (1-D) photonic bandgap (PBG) structures, namely, the defected ground structure (DGS) and the compact microstrip resonant cell (CMRC), are applied to the feed line of microstrip antennas. The characteristic impedance of the microstrip line is controlled by the additional effective inductance of the PBG structure. Without any matching circuits, microstrip antennas can be easily fed by a simple 50 /spl Omega/ microstrip line with a PBG structure at the operating frequency. Additionally, the second harmonic of the proposed antennas is properly suppressed compared to a conventional antenna. Measured results indicate that the two PBG structures are quite effective for harmonic suppression. Therefore, the proposed antennas are suitable for active integrated antennas.