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Updated: May 22, 2026

Using Microwave and Macroscopic Samples of Dielectric Solids to Study the Photonic Properties of Disordered Photonic Bandgap Materials
Published on: September 26, 2014
Spectral level repulsion and Lifshitz-like states in hyperuniform disordered photonic networks
Nicoletta Granchi1, Gabriele Calusi2, Kris Stokkereit3
1Department of Physics and Astronomy and LENS, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy. nicoletta.granchi@unifi.it.
Disorder in nanophotonics offers new light control. Hyperuniform disordered networks show spectral level repulsion and unique localized states, enabling reconfigurable photonic devices.
Area of Science:
- Nanophotonics
- Disordered Systems
- Quantum Optics
Background:
- Periodic structures traditionally limit light control in nanophotonics.
- Disorder is an emerging design principle for novel photonic functionalities.
- Hyperuniform disordered networks offer a unique middle ground between order and randomness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the behavior of light in hyperuniform disordered networks.
- To identify and characterize different types of light localization in these networks.
- To demonstrate the potential for engineering disorder for advanced photonic applications.
Main Methods:
- Large-scale numerical simulations of light propagation.
- Hyperspectral near-field imaging for experimental validation.
- Analysis of spectral properties and mode localization.
Main Results:
- Observed spectral level repulsion among delocalized modes, a signature of interacting states.
- Phenomenologically identified Anderson localized states and defect-induced Lifshitz-like photonic states.
- Demonstrated hybridization of Lifshitz-like states into coupled "photonic molecules" due to topological defects.
Conclusions:
- Hyperuniform disordered networks provide a reconfigurable platform for controlling light.
- Engineering disorder enables control over localization, correlations, and coupling.
- Potential applications include random lasing, optical filtering, and quantum photonics.
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