Fabrication of three-dimensional photonic crystals with two-beam holographic lithography

A holographic technique used to fabricate three-dimensional photonic crystals with a two-beam interference method is presented. In the optical setup of fabrication one beam is incident on the recording plate in the direction of the plate normal and the other beam with an angle to the normal. Three exposures were taken. Between each exposure, the recording plate was rotated 120 degrees on axis until three exposures were completed. Good three-dimensional lattice structures have been obtained. Theoretical analysis, computer simulations, and experimental results are presented.     

Mode tuning in dispersive and non-dispersive photonic crystals by defects

Transmission spectrum of two-dimensional photonic crystal for dispersive and non-dispersive photonic crystals (PhC) is calculated. Calculations show that by considering defect electromagnetic waves can propagate in PhC band gap. Transmission spectrum for different types of defects is compared together. The number and position of transmission modes in PhC waveguide depend on host PhC and type of defects. By selecting suitable PhC material and defect type, the number and position of transmission modes can be controlled.     

Analysis of surface modes in photonic crystals by a plane-wave transfer-matrix method

We have developed a plane-wave transfer-matrix method (PWTMM) with the aid of the interpolation technique to analyze the dispersion relation of surface modes in photonic crystal or photonic crystal surface waveguide. The proposed approach has been applied to several surface structures in two-dimensional photonic crystals. The calculated dispersion relation of the surface modes is in good agreement with the result obtained by the conventional plane-wave expansion method in combination with the supercell technique. The developed PWTMM needs to handle only a single unit-cell layer domain and is therefore numerically friendly. The proposed approach can become an efficient and accurate numerical tool to understand and design surface modes in different two-dimensional and three-dimensional photonic crystals with complex geometries.     

Analysis of arbitrary defects in photonic crystals by use of the source-model technique

A novel method derived from the source-model technique is presented to solve the problem of scattering of an electromagnetic plane wave by a two-dimensional photonic crystal slab that contains an arbitrary defect (perturbation). In this method, the electromagnetic fields in the perturbed problem are expressed in terms of the field due to the periodic currents obtained from a solution of the corresponding unperturbed problem plus the field due to yet-to-be-determined correction current sources placed in the vicinity of the perturbation. Appropriate error measures are suggested, and a few representative structures are presented and analyzed to demonstrate the versatility of the proposed method and to provide physical insight into waveguiding and defect coupling mechanisms typical of finite-thickness photonic crystal slabs.     

Fully three-dimensional modeling of the fabrication and behavior of photonic crystals formed by holographic lithography

A comprehensive and fully three-dimensional model of holographic lithography is used to predict more rigorously the geometry and transmission spectra of photonic crystals formed in Epon SU-8 photoresist. It is the first effort known to the authors to incorporate physics of exposure, postexposure baking, and developing into three-dimensional models of photonic crystals. Optical absorption, reflections, standing waves, refraction, beam coherence, acid diffusion, resist shrinkage, and developing effects combine to distort lattices from their ideal geometry. These are completely neglected by intensity-threshold methods used throughout the literature to predict lattices. Numerical simulations compare remarkably well with experimental results for a face-centered-cube (FCC) photonic crystal. Absorption is shown to produce chirped lattices with broadened bandgaps. Reflections are shown to significantly alter lattice geometry and reduce image contrast. Through simulation, a diamond lattice is formed by multiple exposures, and a hybrid trigonal-FCC lattice is formed that exhibits properties of both component lattices.     

Localization and characterization of simple defects in finite-sized photonic crystals

Structured materials like photonic crystals require for optimal use a high degree of precision with respect to both position and optical characteristics of their components. Here we present a simple tomographic algorithm, based on a specific Green's function together with a first-order Born approximation, which enables us to localize and characterize identical defects in finite-sized photonic crystals. This algorithm is proposed as a first step to the monitoring of such materials. Illustrative numerical results show in particular the possibility of focalization beyond the Rayleigh criterion.     

Differential method applied for photonic crystals

The classic differential method is applied for modeling the diffraction of light from two-dimensional photonic crystals that consist of dielectric cylindrical objects. Special attention is paid to mutual interpenetration of consecutive layers. Two algorithms for dealing with a stack of repetitive layers are discussed, namely, the eigenvalue technique and the S-matrix algorithm. Their advantages and limitations are analyzed, and times required for their implementation are compared.     

Directly modulated semiconductor-laser-fed photonic delay line with ferroelectric liquid crystals

A 3-bit binary photonic delay line is demonstrated at 1 GHz by use of a directly modulated semiconductor laser and remote interconnection fiber optics. Three types of free-space delay-bit geometries are tested for 5.69-ns, 1.67-ns, and 8.8-ps designed delay bits. This is the first time, to our knowledge, that a photonic delay line is demonstrated with ferroelectric liquid-crystal optical on-off devices for optical path switching and active polarization noise filtering. Three-dimensional imaging optics and antireflection-coated optics (for all but five components) are used successfully to minimize photonic delay-line insertion losses and interchannel cross talk. The 3-bit system is fully characterized for measured and designed performance.     

Fabrication of two-dimensional photonic crystals with controlled defects by use of multiple exposures and direct write

We have developed an approach for relatively rapid and easy fabrication of large-area two-dimensional (2-D) photonic crystal structures with controlled defects in the lattice. The technique is based on the combination of two lithographic steps in UV-sensitive SU-8 photoresist. First, multiple exposures of interference fringes are used in combination with precise rotation of the sample to define a 2-D lattice of holes. Second, a strongly focused UV laser beam is used to define line-defect waveguides by localized exposure in the recorded but not yet developed lattice from the first step. After development, the mask is transferred into a GaAs substrate with dry etching in chemically assisted ion-beam etching.     

Comparative study with double-exposure digital holographic interferometry and a shack-hartmann sensor to characterize transparent materials

We compare wave-front measurements using double-exposure digital holography and a Shack-Hartmann sensor. A voltage-driven liquid-crystal wedge modulates the optical wave front and provides a refractive-index gradient typical of interesting transparent materials. Measurement accuracy and reliability are similar for both methods. In our opinion, digital holographic interferometry has several advantages for both laboratory and field environments. When compared with Shack-Hartmann methods, these advantages include hardware simplicity and robustness, relative insensitivity to sample dynamic range, and less computational demanding and more straightforward data evaluation algorithms. We believe that digital holography provides the methodology of choice for field studies of transparent materials such as microgravity protein crystal growth experiments.     

近红外波段光子晶体的微细加工方法研究进展

光子晶体及其在光电子领域的应用是目前国际上的研究热点之一，是一种新型的光电子功能材料。在近红外光通讯领域中，光子晶体(对应允子晶体晶格常数为亚微米)有非常重要的应用，可以制作许多以前所不能制作的高性能光学器件。如何制备用于光通讯领域的光子晶体越来越引起广泛关注。本文综述了近红外波段光子晶体的微细加工制备方法的研究进展。     

Multi-hump holographic solitons in photorefractive crystals

We find a novel kind of holographic soliton in a Hamiltonian system, which is described by two arbitrary-amplitude components. Various forms of such types of holographic solitons, not only two- but also multi-hump solitons, can be available. Additionally, we find this new type of holographic soliton can act as a bridge to connect the other types of holographic solitons presented previously.     

Cryptic iridescence in a fossil weevil generated by single diamond photonic crystals

Nature''s most spectacular colours originate in integumentary tissue architectures that scatter light via nanoscale modulations of the refractive index. The most intricate biophotonic nanostructures are three-dimensional crystals with opal, single diamond or single gyroid lattices. Despite intense interest in their optical and structural properties, the evolution of such nanostructures is poorly understood, due in part to a lack of data from the fossil record. Here, we report preservation of single diamond (Fd-3m) three-dimensional photonic crystals in scales of a 735 000 year old specimen of the brown Nearctic weevil Hypera diversipunctata from Gold Run, Canada, and in extant conspecifics. The preserved red to green structural colours exhibit near-field brilliancy yet are inconspicuous from afar; they most likely had cryptic functions in substrate matching. The discovery of pristine fossil examples indicates that the fossil record is likely to yield further data on the evolution of three-dimensional photonic nanostructures and their biological functions.     

Fabrication of photonic crystals on several kinds of semiconductor materials by using focused-ion beam method

In this paper, we introduced the fabrication of photonic crystals on several kinds of semiconductor materials by using focused-ion beam machine, it shows that the method of focused-ion beam can fabricate two-dimensional photonic crystal and photonic crystal device efficiently, and the quality of the fabricated photonic crystal is high. Using the focused-ion beam method, we fabricate photonic crystal wavelength division multiplexer, and its characteristics are analyzed.     

Holographic creation of photonic crystals

We describe the creation of general photonic crystals by means of holography with an experimental demonstration. The recordings of periodic variations of amplitude and phase by the interference of coherent laser beams offer a natural means for the creation of one- two- or three-dimensional photonic crystals. Based on the principle of the interference of four noncoplanar beams, we present a comparative analysis of two different approaches for creating photonic crystals and use numerical simulated lattice structures to illustrate the differences between these two approaches. We then use a specific symmetrical optical architecture and select the proper approach to create holographic photonic crystals. The advantages and constraints of this holographic method are discussed.     

Genetic optimization of two-dimensional photonic crystals for large absolute band gaps under light line

A binary genetic algorithm with floating crossover and mutation probabilities is used to design two-dimensional photonic crystals for large absolute band gaps under a light line. The unit cell is composed of a small number of round rods and is arranged in a square lattice. The photonic band structure of each chromosome is calculated by the plane-wave expansion method. Starting from randomly generated photonic crystals, the genetic algorithm finally yielded a photonic crystal with an absolute common band gap of 0.0618(2πc/a) at the mid-frequency of 0.4084(2πc/a).     

Color control of natural fluorescent proteins by photonic crystals

The emission of fluorescent proteins inside photonic crystals is studied. It is demonstrated that the apparent emission color of the fluorescent protein can be controlled externally by the photonic crystal. With increasing crystal lattice parameter, the appearance of the proteins turns from orange to red, and suddenly to green. The dramatic color changes agree with the theoretically expected redistribution of light escaping around the stop band of the photonic crystal. Our experiments show the potential of combining biological systems with nanophotonics. This "biophotonic engineering" may be extended to control emission rates and complex F?rster energy-transfer systems obtained by protein engineering.     

Multipole Dirichlet-to-Neumann map method for photonic crystals with complex unit cells

The periodicity of photonic crystals can be utilized to develop efficient numerical methods for analyzing light waves propagating in these structures. The Dirichlet-to-Neumann (DtN) operator of a unit cell maps the wave field on the boundary of the unit cell to its normal derivative, and it can be used to reduce the computation to the edges of the unit cells. For two-dimensional photonic crystals with complex unit cells, each containing a number of possibly different circular cylinders, we develop an efficient multipole method for constructing the DtN maps. The DtN maps are used to calculate the transmission and reflection spectra for finite photonic crystals with complex unit cells.