Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Using Microwave and Macroscopic Samples of Dielectric Solids to Study the Photonic Properties of Disordered Photonic Bandgap Materials
Published on: September 26, 2014
Dynamic diffraction and interband transitions in two-dimensional photonic lattices.
Bernd Terhalle1, Anton S Desyatnikov, Dragomir N Neshev
1Nonlinear Physics Centre, Centre for Ultra-high bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems (CUDOS), Research School of Physics and Engineering, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia.
We found that Pendellösung oscillations directly link spectral band coupling in periodic media. These oscillations dominate interband transitions in photonic lattices over short distances.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Optics
- Condensed Matter Physics
Background:
- Periodic media exhibit complex wave phenomena.
- Pendellösung oscillations and spectral band coupling are key wave behaviors.
- Understanding their interplay is crucial for photonic device design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reveal a direct link between Pendellösung oscillations and resonant coupling in periodic media.
- To experimentally investigate power transfer dynamics in photonic lattices.
Main Methods:
- Experimental measurement of power transfer between laser beams.
- Utilizing periodic and biased hexagonal photonic lattices.
- Focusing on high-symmetry points for analysis.
Main Results:
- A direct link between Pendellösung oscillations and resonant coupling was established.
- Pendellösung oscillations were shown to dominate resonant interband transitions.
- Dynamics were observed on short propagation scales in photonic lattices.
Conclusions:
- Pendellösung oscillations play a dominant role in resonant interband transitions.
- The findings provide insights into wave dynamics in periodic optical materials.
- This work advances the understanding of light-matter interactions in photonic structures.
Related Concept Videos
Interference and Diffraction
The de Broglie Wavelength
X-ray Crystallography
Diffraction
Diffraction is the change in the direction of travel experienced by an electromagnetic wave when it encounters a physical barrier whose dimensions are comparable to those of the wavelength of the light. X-rays are electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths about as long as the distance between neighboring...
Determination of Crystal Structures
Bewley Lattice Diagram
