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Updated: May 6, 2026

Using Microwave and Macroscopic Samples of Dielectric Solids to Study the Photonic Properties of Disordered Photonic Bandgap Materials
Published on: September 26, 2014
Defect-controlled hypersound propagation in hybrid superlattices
Dirk Schneider1, Faroha Liaqat, El Houssaine El Boudouti
1Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
Researchers used light scattering and calculations to find unique sound waves in hybrid superlattices. This discovery enables the design of new tunable materials for advanced optical and acoustic applications.
Area of Science:
- Soft matter physics
- Acoustic metamaterials
- Phononics
Background:
- Hypersonic hybrid superlattices offer unique acoustic properties.
- Understanding elastic excitations within these structures is crucial for material design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reveal and identify elastic excitations within the band gap of hypersonic hybrid superlattices.
- To demonstrate control over surface and cavity modes through material design.
Main Methods:
- Spontaneous Brillouin light scattering spectroscopy.
- Detailed theoretical calculations.
Main Results:
- Unambiguous documentation of surface and cavity modes, their strength, and anticrossing.
- Demonstrated full control over these modes by varying layer thickness, elasticity, and sequence design.
- Identification of elastic excitations inside the band gap.
Conclusions:
- Soft matter based superlattices provide a versatile platform for engineering the density of states.
- This work opens new pathways for the development of tunable phoxonic crystals.
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