Observation of total omnidirectional reflection from a one-dimensional dielectric lattice

Abstract

We show that under certain conditions one-dimensional dielectric lattice possesses total omnidirectional reflection of incident light. The predictions are verified experimentally using Na3AlF6/ZnSe multilayer structure developed by means of standard optical technology. The structure was found to exhibit reflection coefficient more then 99% in the range of incident angles 0-86 • at the wavelength of 632.8 nm for s-polarization. The results are believed to stimulate new experiments on photonic crystals and controlled spontaneous emission.

Omni-Direction Reflection in One Dimensional Photonic Crystal

“…Over the past decades, much attention has been given to photonic crystals (PCs) as a new kind of optical materials [1][2][3][4][5][6]. These materials are based on the interaction between an optical field and materials exhibiting periodicity on the scale of wave length.…”

“…The application of two dimensional and three dimensional photonic crystals is limited. Complete two dimensional and three dimensional band gap can be realized in photonic crystals where the refractive index is periodically modulated in two-and three-dimension respectively [2,[6][7][8][9][10].…”

“…One dimensional photonic crystal is attractive since their production is more feasible at any wavelength scale and their analytical and numerical calculations are simpler. It has been shown that one dimensional photonic crystals can totally reflect arbitrary polarized, transverse-electric (TE) and transverse-magnetic (TM), lights i.e., omnidirectional reflection, at all angles within the PBGs, can take place even in the absence of a complete band gap i.e., these crystals exhibit the property of omni-directional reflection [4,6,11].…”

Design of Photonic Band Gap Filter

“…Photonic crystals PCs have drawn much attention as a new kind of optical materials [1][2][3][4][5][6]. PCs made of periodic dielectric materials in one, two or three spatial directions that exhibit electromagnetic stop bands or photonic band gaps (PBGs).…”

“…PCs made of periodic dielectric materials in one, two or three spatial directions that exhibit electromagnetic stop bands or photonic band gaps (PBGs). PBGs have been investigated intensively relating to their ability of controlling the propagation of light [6][7][8][9]. The absence of electromagnetic wave or light wave inside PBGs will lead to some unusual properties, which can be used for Bragg mirrors or narrow-band filters [10][11][12][13][14][15][16].…”