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Published on: November 30, 2012
Negative refraction angular characterization in one-dimensional photonic crystals.
Jesus Eduardo Lugo1, Rafael Doti, Jocelyn Faubert
1Visual Psychophysics and Perception Laboratory, School of Optometry, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. je.lugo.arce@umontreal.ca
Plos One
|April 16, 2011
Summary
Researchers experimentally characterized negative refraction in one-dimensional photonic crystals. Both experimental results and theoretical predictions showed good agreement, enabling practical applications in demultiplexing and sensing.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Photonic crystals feature periodic dielectric structures with varying refractive indices.
- These structures exhibit anomalous light refraction, known as negative refraction, under specific conditions.
- Negative refraction is observed near the low-frequency edge of the fourth photonic bandgap.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally characterize negative refraction in a one-dimensional photonic crystal.
- To compare experimental findings with existing theories and a newly developed group velocity-based theory.
- To derive and apply a condition for negative refraction correctness.
Main Methods:
- Standard photonic techniques were employed for experimental characterization.
- The relationship between incidence and negative refraction angles was determined.
- A novel group velocity-based theory and an output refraction correction utilizing Snell's law and effective dielectric constants were used for comparison.
Main Results:
- The negative refraction range was identified using the derived correctness condition.
- Good agreement was found between experimental results and both theoretical models within the negative refraction zone.
- An output refraction correction, incorporating Snell's law and an effective refractive index, was validated.
Conclusions:
- The validated theories and experimental observations allow for accurate prediction of negative refraction angles.
- This predictive capability is valuable for practical applications.
- Potential applications include photonic demultiplexers and advanced sensing technologies.
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