Showing papers on "Photonic crystal published in 2013"
TL;DR: This work proposes and experimentally demonstrate a photonic topological insulator free of external fields and with scatter-free edge transport—a photonic lattice exhibiting topologically protected transport of visible light on the lattice edges.
Abstract: Topological insulators are a new phase of matter, with the striking property that conduction of electrons occurs only on their surfaces. In two dimensions, electrons on the surface of a topological insulator are not scattered despite defects and disorder, providing robustness akin to that of superconductors. Topological insulators are predicted to have wide-ranging applications in fault-tolerant quantum computing and spintronics. Substantial effort has been directed towards realizing topological insulators for electromagnetic waves. One-dimensional systems with topological edge states have been demonstrated, but these states are zero-dimensional and therefore exhibit no transport properties. Topological protection of microwaves has been observed using a mechanism similar to the quantum Hall effect, by placing a gyromagnetic photonic crystal in an external magnetic field. But because magnetic effects are very weak at optical frequencies, realizing photonic topological insulators with scatter-free edge states requires a fundamentally different mechanism-one that is free of magnetic fields. A number of proposals for photonic topological transport have been put forward recently. One suggested temporal modulation of a photonic crystal, thus breaking time-reversal symmetry and inducing one-way edge states. This is in the spirit of the proposed Floquet topological insulators, in which temporal variations in solid-state systems induce topological edge states. Here we propose and experimentally demonstrate a photonic topological insulator free of external fields and with scatter-free edge transport-a photonic lattice exhibiting topologically protected transport of visible light on the lattice edges. Our system is composed of an array of evanescently coupled helical waveguides arranged in a graphene-like honeycomb lattice. Paraxial diffraction of light is described by a Schrodinger equation where the propagation coordinate (z) acts as 'time'. Thus the helicity of the waveguides breaks z-reversal symmetry as proposed for Floquet topological insulators. This structure results in one-way edge states that are topologically protected from scattering.
2,483 citations
TL;DR: The demonstrated unidirectional phenomenon at the corresponding parity-time exceptional point on-a-chip confirms the feasibility of creating complicated on-chip parity- time metamaterials and optical devices based on their properties.
Abstract: Invisibility by metamaterials is of great interest, where
optical properties are manipulated in the real permittivity–
permeability plane. However, the most effective approach
to achieving invisibility in various military applications is
to absorb the electromagnetic waves emitted from radar to
minimize the corresponding reflection and scattering, such that
no signal gets bounced back. Here, we show the experimental
realization of chip-scale unidirectional reflectionless optical
metamaterials near the spontaneous parity-time symmetry
phase transition point where reflection from one side is
significantly suppressed. This is enabled by engineering the
corresponding optical properties of the designed paritytime
metamaterial in the complex dielectric permittivity
plane. Numerical simulations and experimental verification
consistently exhibit asymmetric reflection with high contrast
ratios around a wavelength of of 1,550 nm. The demonstrated
unidirectional phenomenon at the corresponding parity-time
exceptional point on-a-chip confirms the feasibility of creating
complicated on-chip parity-time metamaterials and optical
devices based on their properties.
1,253 citations
Proceedings Article•
01 Jun 2013TL;DR: In this paper, the authors review some of the recent developments in the field of hyperbolic dispersion of metamaterials and their applications in a variety of phenomena, from spontaneous emission to light propagation and scattering.
Abstract: Metamaterials with hyperbolic dispersion (where two eigenvalues of the dielectric permittivity tensor have opposite signs) exhibit a broad bandwidth singularity in the photonic density of states, with resulting manifestations in a variety of phenomena, from spontaneous emission to light propagation and scattering. In this tutorial, I will review some of the recent developments in this field.
750 citations
TL;DR: The design of the composite material is expected to significantly increase the Au SPR intensity and consequently boost the hot electron injection from the Au nanocrystals into the conduction band of TiO(2), leading to a considerably enhanced water splitting performance of the material under visible light.
Abstract: A visible light responsive plasmonic photocatalytic composite material is designed by rationally selecting Au nanocrystals and assembling them with the TiO2-based photonic crystal substrate. The selection of the Au nanocrystals is so that their surface plasmonic resonance (SPR) wavelength matches the photonic band gap of the photonic crystal and thus that the SPR of the Au receives remarkable assistance from the photonic crystal substrate. The design of the composite material is expected to significantly increase the Au SPR intensity and consequently boost the hot electron injection from the Au nanocrystals into the conduction band of TiO2, leading to a considerably enhanced water splitting performance of the material under visible light. A proof-of-concept example is provided by assembling 20 nm Au nanocrystals, with a SPR peak at 556 nm, onto the photonic crystal which is seamlessly connected on TiO2 nanotube array. Under visible light illumination (>420 nm), the designed material produced a photocurren...
680 citations
TL;DR: This tutorial review highlights fundamental aspects of the physics underpinning the science of photonic crystals, insight into building-block assembly routes to the fabrication of different photonic crystal structures and compositions is provided, and a glimpse into future applications is taken.
Abstract: In this tutorial review we highlight fundamental aspects of the physics underpinning the science of photonic crystals, provide insight into building-block assembly routes to the fabrication of different photonic crystal structures and compositions, discuss their properties and describe how these relate to function, and finally take a glimpse into future applications.
590 citations
TL;DR: Based on analytical and numerical analysis, researchers predict Weyl point formation in 3D photonic crystals as discussed by the authors, which is the first 3D linear point degeneration between two bands (Weyl points) observed.
Abstract: Materials exhibiting three-dimensional (3D) linear dispersion relations between frequency and wavevector are expected to display a wide range of interesting phenomena. 3D linear point degeneracies between two bands (“Weyl points”) have yet to be observed. Based on analytical and numerical analysis, researchers predict Weyl point formation in 3D photonic crystals.
574 citations
TL;DR: The formation of topologically protected localized midgap states in systems with spatially distributed gain and loss can be selectively amplified, which finds applications in the beam dynamics along a photonic lattice and in the lasing of quasi-one-dimensional photonic crystals.
Abstract: One of the principal goals in the design of photonic crystals is the engineering of band gaps and defect states. Here I describe the formation of topologically protected localized midgap states in systems with spatially distributed gain and loss. These states can be selectively amplified, which finds applications in the beam dynamics along a photonic lattice and in the lasing of quasi-one-dimensional photonic crystals.
362 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors proposed an external field-free photonic topological insulator with scatter-free edge transport, which is composed of an array of evanescently coupled helical waveguides arranged in a graphene-like honeycomb lattice.
Abstract: Topological insulators are a new phase of matter, with the striking property that conduction of electrons occurs
only on the surface. In two dimensions, surface electrons in topological insulators do not scatter despite defects
and disorder, providing robustness akin to superconductors. Topological insulators are predicted to have wideranging
applications in fault-tolerant quantum computing and spintronics. Recently, large theoretical efforts were
directed towards achieving topological insulation for electromagnetic waves. One-dimensional systems with
topological edge states have been demonstrated, but these states are zero-dimensional, and therefore exhibit no
transport properties. Topological protection of microwaves has been observed using a mechanism similar to
the quantum Hall effect, by placing a gyromagnetic photonic crystal in an external magnetic field. However,
since magnetic effects are very weak at optical frequencies, realizing photonic topological insulators with scatterfree
edge states requires a fundamentally different mechanism - one that is free of magnetic fields. Recently, a
number of proposals for photonic topological transport have been put forward. Specifically, one suggested
temporally modulating a photonic crystal, thus breaking time-reversal symmetry and inducing one-way edge
states. This is in the spirit of the proposed Floquet topological insulators, where temporal variations in solidstate
systems induce topological edge states. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate the first external
field-free photonic topological insulator with scatter-free edge transport: a photonic lattice exhibiting topologically
protected transport of visible light on the lattice edges. Our system is composed of an array of evanescently coupled
helical waveguides arranged in a graphene-like honeycomb lattice. Paraxial diffraction of light is described by
a Schrodinger equation where the propagation coordinate acts as ‘time’. Thus the waveguides' helicity breaks zreversal
symmetry in the sense akin to Floquet Topological Insulators. This structure results in scatter-free, oneway
edge states that are topologically protected from scattering.
356 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, an inhomogeneous strain in photonic band structures of a honeycomb lattice of waveguides was applied experimentally and theoretically to induce a pseudomagnetic field at optical frequencies.
Abstract: Magnetic effects are fundamentally weak at optical frequencies. Now, by applying inhomogeneous strain in photonic band structures of a honeycomb lattice of waveguides, scientists show experimentally and theoretically that it is possible to induce a pseudomagnetic field at optical frequencies. The field yields 'photonic Landau levels', which suggests the possibility of achieving greater field enhancements and slow-light effects in aperiodic photonic crystal structures than those available in periodic structures.
353 citations
TL;DR: The capability for an inexpensive, handheld biosensor instrument with web connectivity to enable point-of-care sensing in environments that have not been practical previously is envisioned.
Abstract: Utilizing its integrated camera as a spectrometer, we demonstrate the use of a smartphone as the detection instrument for a label-free photonic crystal biosensor. A custom-designed cradle holds the smartphone in fixed alignment with optical components, allowing for accurate and repeatable measurements of shifts in the resonant wavelength of the sensor. Externally provided broadband light incident upon an entrance pinhole is subsequently collimated and linearly polarized before passing through the biosensor, which resonantly reflects only a narrow band of wavelengths. A diffraction grating spreads the remaining wavelengths over the camera's pixels to display a high resolution transmission spectrum. The photonic crystal biosensor is fabricated on a plastic substrate and attached to a standard glass microscope slide that can easily be removed and replaced within the optical path. A custom software app was developed to convert the camera images into the photonic crystal transmission spectrum in the visible wavelength range, including curve-fitting analysis that computes the photonic crystal resonant wavelength with 0.009 nm accuracy. We demonstrate the functionality of the system through detection of an immobilized protein monolayer, and selective detection of concentration-dependent antibody binding to a functionalized photonic crystal. We envision the capability for an inexpensive, handheld biosensor instrument with web connectivity to enable point-of-care sensing in environments that have not been practical previously.
308 citations
TL;DR: This work proposes an all-optical optical diode which requires neither magnetic fields nor strong input fields, and is based on a "moving" photonic crystal generated in a three-level electromagnetically induced transparency medium.
Abstract: Optical diodes controlling the flow of light are of principal significance for optical information processing. They transmit light from an input to an output, but not in the reverse direction. This breaking of time reversal symmetry is conventionally achieved via Faraday or nonlinear effects. For applications in a quantum network, features such as the abilities of all-optical control, on-chip integration, and single-photon operation are important. Here we propose an all-optical optical diode which requires neither magnetic fields nor strong input fields. It is based on a "moving" photonic crystal generated in a three-level electromagnetically induced transparency medium in which the refractive index of a weak probe is modulated by the moving periodic intensity of a strong standing coupling field with two detuned counterpropagating components. Because of the Doppler effect, the frequency range of the crystal's band gap for the probe copropagating with the moving crystal is shifted from that for the counterpropagating probe. This mechanism is experimentally demonstrated in a room temperature Cs vapor cell.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors developed a pragmatic and amenable method to prepare colloidal photonic crystals with high optical transparency and physical rigidity using photocurable colloidal suspensions, where colloidal particles dispersed in a photocurable medium crystallized during capillary force-induced infiltration into a slab, and subsequent photopolymerization of the medium permanently solidifies the st...
Abstract: Self-assembly of monodisperse colloidal particles into regular lattices has provided relatively simple and economical methods to prepare photonic crystals. The photonic stop band of colloidal crystals appears as opalescent structural colors, which are potentially useful for display devices, colorimetric sensors, and optical filters. However, colloidal crystals have low durability, and an undesired scattering of light makes the structures white and translucent. Moreover, micropatterning of colloidal crystals usually requires complex molding procedures, thereby limiting their practical applications. To overcome such shortcomings, we develop a pragmatic and amenable method to prepare colloidal photonic crystals with high optical transparency and physical rigidity using photocurable colloidal suspensions. The colloidal particles dispersed in a photocurable medium crystallized during capillary force-induced infiltration into a slab, and subsequent photopolymerization of the medium permanently solidifies the st...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors proposed a metamaterial made of resonant unit cells, which can confine and guide wave propagation at scales far below their wavelength, but this means they can become very large when long wavelengths are involved.
Abstract: Photonic crystals efficiently control wave propagation on a wavelength scale, but this means they can become very large when long wavelengths are involved. Metamaterials made of resonant unit cells can confine and guide waves even at scales far below their wavelength.
TL;DR: In this article, a nano-engineered photonic-crystal chiral beamplitter is proposed to split left and right-handed circularly polarized light in the wavelength region around 1.615 µm.
Abstract: The linearly polarizing beamsplitter1, 2 is a widely used optical component in photonics. It is typically built from a linearly birefringent crystal such as calcite, which has different critical reflection angles for s- and p-polarized light3, leading to the transmission of one linear polarization and angled reflection of the other. However, the analogue for splitting circularly polarized light has yet to be demonstrated due to a lack of natural materials with sufficient circular birefringence. Here, we present a nano-engineered photonic-crystal chiral beamsplitter that fulfils this task. It consists of a prism featuring a nanoscale chiral gyroid network4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and can separate left- and right-handed circularly polarized light in the wavelength region around 1.615 µm. The structure is fabricated using a galvo-dithered direct laser writing method and could become a useful component for developing integrated photonic circuits that provide a new form of polarization control.
TL;DR: Transparent polymer solar cells are demonstrated that can transmit 30% of visible light and operate with a power conversion efficiency of 5.6% in this paper, where the cells employ photonic crystals to trap ultraviolet and infrared light.
Abstract: Transparent polymer solar cells are demonstrated that can transmit 30% of visible light and operate with a power conversion efficiency of 5.6%. The cells employ photonic crystals to trap ultraviolet and infrared light.
TL;DR: Control of spontaneous emission rate of a molybdenum disulfide monolayer coupled with a planar photonic crystal (PPC) nanocavity is reported on, which indicates an underlying cavity mode Purcell enhancement of the MoS2 SE rate exceeding a factor of 70.
Abstract: We report on controlling the spontaneous emission (SE) rate of a molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) monolayer coupled with a planar photonic crystal (PPC) nanocavity. Spatially resolved photoluminescence (PL) mapping shows strong variations of emission when the MoS2 monolayer is on the PPC cavity, on the PPC lattice, on the air gap, and on the unpatterned gallium phosphide substrate. Polarization dependences of the cavity-coupled MoS2 emission show a more than 5 times stronger extracted PL intensity than the un-coupled emission, which indicates an underlying cavity mode Purcell enhancement of the MoS2 SE rate exceeding a factor of 70.
TL;DR: In this article, a photonic-crystal nanocavity laser was used to demonstrate high-speed modulation and 4.4 fJ bit−1 data transmission with high-sensitivity receivers.
Abstract: High-speed modulation and 4.4 fJ bit−1 data transmission is demonstrated using a photonic-crystal nanocavity laser. Its current threshold of 4.8 µA, modulation current efficiency of 2.0 GHz µA−0.5 and output power of 2.17 µW may enable on-chip photonic networks in combination with recently developed high-sensitivity receivers.
TL;DR: Self-assembled templates are utilized to fabricate high-quality tungsten photonic crystals that demonstrate unprecedented thermal stability up to at least 1,400 °C and modified thermal emission at solar thermophotovoltaic operating temperatures, and comparable thermal and optical results are obtained using a photonic crystal comprising a previously unstudied material, hafnium diboride.
Abstract: Photonic crystal structures can be used to control the spectral distribution of thermal emission. Here, Arpin et al. demonstrate three-dimensional tungsten and hafnium diboride photonic crystals to control high-temperature thermal emission for solar thermophotovoltaic energy devices.
TL;DR: A technique for coupling single nitrogen vacancy centers to suspended diamond photonic crystal cavities with quality factors up to 6000 is described and demonstrated and an enhancement of the NV center's zero-phonon line fluorescence is presented in low-temperature measurements.
Abstract: The realization of efficient optical interfaces for solid-state atom-like systems is an important problem in quantum science with potential applications in quantum communications and quantum information processing. We describe and demonstrate a technique for coupling single nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers to suspended diamond photonic crystal cavities with quality factors up to 6000. Specifically, we present an enhancement of the NV center's zero-phonon line fluorescence by a factor of ~ 7 in low-temperature measurements.
TL;DR: In this paper, a single layer of graphene on top of a photonic crystal cavity was demonstrated to change the cavity resonance line width and almost 400% change in resonance reflectivity.
Abstract: The efficient conversion of an electrical signal to an optical signal in nanophotonics enables solid state integration of electronics and photonics. The combination of graphene with photonic crystals is promising for electro-optic modulation. In this paper, we demonstrate that by electrostatic gating a single layer of graphene on top of a photonic crystal cavity, the cavity resonance can be changed significantly. A ∼2 nm change in the cavity resonance line width and almost 400% (6 dB) change in resonance reflectivity is observed. In addition, our analysis shows that a graphene–photonic crystal device can potentially be useful for a high speed and low power absorptive and refractive modulator, while maintaining a small physical footprint.
09 Jun 2013
TL;DR: In this article, the first experimental observation of a Floquet topological insulator in any physical system was made, without magnetic fields, using honeycomb photonic lattice of helical waveguides.
Abstract: We present the first experimental observation of a Floquet Topological Insulator in any physical system. We realize optical topologically-protected unidirectional edge states, without magnetic fields, using honeycomb photonic lattice of helical waveguides.
TL;DR: The experimental realization of an isotropic complete photonic band gap (PBG) in a 2D disordered dielectric structure and realization of functional defects in this unique class of materials demonstrate their potential as building blocks for precise manipulation of photons in planar optical microcircuits and has implications for disordered acoustic and electronic band gap materials.
Abstract: Recently, disordered photonic media and random textured surfaces have attracted increasing attention as strong light diffusers with broadband and wide-angle properties. We report the experimental realization of an isotropic complete photonic band gap (PBG) in a 2D disordered dielectric structure. This structure is designed by a constrained optimization method, which combines advantages of both isotropy due to disorder and controlled scattering properties due to low-density fluctuations (hyperuniformity) and uniform local topology. Our experiments use a modular design composed of Al2O3 walls and cylinders arranged in a hyperuniform disordered network. We observe a complete PBG in the microwave region, in good agreement with theoretical simulations, and show that the intrinsic isotropy of this unique class of PBG materials enables remarkable design freedom, including the realization of waveguides with arbitrary bending angles impossible in photonic crystals. This experimental verification of a complete PBG and realization of functional defects in this unique class of materials demonstrate their potential as building blocks for precise manipulation of photons in planar optical microcircuits and has implications for disordered acoustic and electronic band gap materials.
TL;DR: The combination of the nanofabrication technique, useful design methodologies inspired by biological systems and colorimetric sensing will lead to substantial developments in low-cost, miniaturized and widely deployable optical sensors.
Abstract: Colorimetric sensing, which transduces environmental changes into visible color changes, provides a simple yet powerful detection mechanism that is well-suited to the development of low-cost and low-power sensors. A new approach in colorimetric sensing exploits the structural color of photonic crystals (PCs) to create environmentally-influenced color-changeable materials. PCs are composed of periodic dielectrics or metallo-dielectric nanostructures that affect the propagation of electromagnetic waves (EM) by defining the allowed and forbidden photonic bands. Simultaneously, an amazing variety of naturally occurring biological systems exhibit iridescent color due to the presence of PC structures throughout multi-dimensional space. In particular, some kinds of the structural colors in living organisms can be reversibly changed in reaction to external stimuli. Based on the lessons learned from natural photonic structures, some specific examples of PCs-based colorimetric sensors are presented in detail to demonstrate their unprecedented potential in practical applications, such as the detections of temperature, pH, ionic species, solvents, vapor, humidity, pressure and biomolecules. The combination of the nanofabrication technique, useful design methodologies inspired by biological systems and colorimetric sensing will lead to substantial developments in low-cost, miniaturized and widely deployable optical sensors.
TL;DR: In this article, high-contrast electro-optic modulation of a photonic crystal nanocavity integrated with an electrically gated monolayer graphene was demonstrated.
Abstract: We demonstrate high-contrast electro-optic modulation of a photonic crystal nanocavity integrated with an electrically gated monolayer graphene. A silicon air-slot nanocavity provides strong overlap between the resonant optical field and graphene. Tuning the Fermi energy of the graphene layer to 0.85 eV enables strong control of its optical conductivity at telecom wavelengths, which allows modulation of cavity reflection in excess of 10 dB for a swing voltage of only 1.5 V. The cavity resonance at 1570 nm is found to undergo a shift in wavelength of nearly 2 nm, together with a 3-fold increase in quality factor. These observations enable a cavity-enhanced determination of graphene’s complex optical sheet conductivity at different doping levels. Our simple device demonstrates the feasibility of high-contrast, low-power, and frequency-selective electro-optic modulators in graphene-integrated silicon photonic integrated circuits.
TL;DR: In this paper, the spontaneous emission rate of a molybdenum disulfide (MoS$_2$) monolayer coupled with a planar photonic crystal (PPC) nanocavity was investigated.
Abstract: We report on controlling the spontaneous emission (SE) rate of a molybdenum disulfide (MoS$_2$) monolayer coupled with a planar photonic crystal (PPC) nanocavity. Spatially resolved photoluminescence (PL) mapping shows strong variations of emission when the MoS$_2$ monolayer is on the PPC cavity, on the PPC lattice, on the air gap, and on the unpatterned gallium phosphide substrate. Polarization dependences of the cavity-coupled MoS$_2$ emission show a more than 5 times stronger extracted PL intensity than the un-coupled emission, which indicates an underlying cavity mode Purcell enhancement of MoS$_2$ SE rate exceeding a factor of 70.
TL;DR: In this article, the current status of the field, including the latest developments in the understanding of the basic guidance mechanisms in these fibres and the unique properties they can exhibit, is reviewed.
Abstract: Since the early conceptual and practical demonstrations in the late 1990s, Hollow-Core Photonic Band Gap Fibres (HC-PBGFs) have attracted huge interest by virtue of their promise to deliver a unique range of optical properties that are simply not possible in conventional fibre types. HC-PBGFs have the potential to overcome some of the fundamental limitations of solid fibres promising, for example, reduced transmission loss, lower nonlinearity, higher damage thresholds and lower latency, amongst others. They also provide a unique medium for a range of light: matter interactions of various forms, particularly for gaseous media. In this paper we review the current status of the field, including the latest developments in the understanding of the basic guidance mechanisms in these fibres and the unique properties they can exhibit. We also review the latest advances in terms of fibre fabrication and characterisation, before describing some of the most important applications of the technology, focusing in particular on their use in gas-based fibre optics and in optical communications.
TL;DR: Experimental results and theory show that silicon-colloid-based liquid suspensions and photonic crystals made of two-dimensional arrays of particles have strong magnetic response in the near-infrared region with small optical losses.
Abstract: It is generally accepted that the magnetic component of light has a minor role in the light-matter interaction. The recent discovery of metamaterials has broken this traditional understanding, as both the electric and the magnetic field are key ingredients in metamaterials. The top-down technology used so far employs noble metals with large intrinsic losses. Here we report on a bottom-up approach for processing metamaterials based on suspensions of monodisperse full dielectric silicon nanocavities with a large magnetic response in the near-infrared region. Experimental results and theory show that silicon-colloid-based liquid suspensions and photonic crystals made of two-dimensional arrays of particles have strong magnetic response in the near-infrared region with small optical losses. Our findings might have important implications in the bottom-up processing of large-area low-loss metamaterials working in the near-infrared region.
TL;DR: An efficient method to design apodized grating couplers with Gaussian output profiles for efficient coupling between standard single mode fibers and silicon chips is presented.
Abstract: We present an efficient method to design apodized grating couplers with Gaussian output profiles for efficient coupling between standard single mode fibers and silicon chips. An apodized grating coupler using fully etched photonic crystal holes on the silicon-on-insulator platform is designed, and fabricated in a single step of lithography and etching. An ultralow coupling loss of -1.74 dB (67% coupling efficiency) with a 3 dB bandwidth of 60 nm is experimentally measured.
TL;DR: In this article, a discrete number of Bloch surface-localized eigenstates can exist inside the continuum of free-space modes, but the forward and back-reflected leakage may interfere destructively to create a perfectly bound surface state.
Abstract: From detailed numerical calculations, we demonstrate that in simple photonic crystal structures, a discrete number of Bloch surface-localized eigenstates can exist inside the continuum of free-space modes. Coupling to the free space causes the surface modes to leak, but the forward and back-reflected leakage may interfere destructively to create a perfectly bound surface state with zero leakage. We perform analytical temporal coupled-mode theory analysis to show the generality of such phenomenon and its robustness from variations of system parameters. Periodicity, time-reversal invariance, two-fold rotational symmetry and a perfectly reflecting boundary are necessary for these unique states. Inside the periodic structure of a photonic crystal, photons behave analogously to electrons in solid-state materials. Localized light patterns can be found at the interface between a photonic crystal and the surrounding air. Such surface states can exist even when the light has a possibility of escaping into the air, as Marin Soljacic and co-workers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, USA, now show in a theoretical study. They demonstrate that under certain conditions, different leakage channels from the crystal surface interfere destructively and thus cancel each other completely. These findings should help in the design of photonic-crystal structures for applications such as sensing and spectroscopy, where strongly localized light states are desired.
TL;DR: The thermal stability of the nanostructured emitters and their optical properties before and after annealing are tested, observing no degradation even after 144 h (6 days) at 900 °C, which demonstrates the suitability of these selective emitters for high-temperature applications.
Abstract: We present the results of extensive characterization of selective emitters at high temperatures, including thermal emission measurements and thermal stability testing at 1000°C for 1h and 900°C for up to 144h. The selective emitters were fabricated as 2D photonic crystals (PhCs) on polycrystalline tantalum (Ta), targeting large-area applications in solid-state heat-to-electricity conversion. We characterized spectral emission as a function of temperature, observing very good selectivity of the emission as compared to flat Ta, with the emission of the PhC approaching the blackbody limit below the target cut-off wavelength of 2 μm, and a steep cut-off to low emission at longer wavelengths. In addition, we study the use of a thin, conformal layer (20 nm) of HfO2 deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD) as a surface protective coating, and confirm experimentally that it acts as a diffusion inhibitor and thermal barrier coating, and prevents the formation of Ta carbide on the surface. Furthermore, we tested the thermal stability of the nanostructured emitters and their optical properties before and after annealing, observing no degradation even after 144h (6 days) at 900°C, which demonstrates the suitability of these selective emitters for high-temperature applications.