Transformation of light polarization in thin-film opal photonic crystals

Wolff, Christian; Küchenmeister, Jens; Busch, Kurt; Peschel, Ulf; Romanov, S. G.

doi:10.1117/12.2051221

Cited by 1 publication

(3 citation statements)

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“…Perfect photonic crystals based on D‐structures or rod‐connected diamond structures are commonly believed to be optically isotropic due to their cubic symmetry. However, changes of the polarization plane of linearly polarized light in transmission have been reported for synthetic opal films with cubic symmetry . Wolff et al pointed out that this seemingly unusual birefringence‐like polarization conversion effect in the case of opal structures demonstrates that photonic crystals with cubic symmetry are not necessarily optically isotropic if the relevant size of the structure is close to the wavelength of light and especially when polarization is involved.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, changes of the polarization plane of linearly polarized light in transmission have been reported for synthetic opal films with cubic symmetry . Wolff et al pointed out that this seemingly unusual birefringence‐like polarization conversion effect in the case of opal structures demonstrates that photonic crystals with cubic symmetry are not necessarily optically isotropic if the relevant size of the structure is close to the wavelength of light and especially when polarization is involved. Similar to the case of opals, we find that the symmetry properties of the D‐structure and its simplified derivations are the key to understand their polarization conversion effect.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, polarization conversion can be achieved by quasi‐2D flat optics such as metallic subwavelength gratings, metasurfaces, planar chiral metamaterials, and 3D chiral photonic crystals . However, achiral 3D photonic crystals such as artificial opals also show polarization conversion effects . The polarization properties of these artificial optical materials are closely related to their structural design and symmetry properties.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Polarization Conversion Effect in Biological and Synthetic Photonic Diamond Structures

Rodríguez-Gallegos

Heep

et al. 2018

Advanced Optical Materials

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Polarization of light is essential for some living organisms and many optical applications. Here, an orientation dependent polarization conversion effect is reported for light reflected from diamond‐structure‐based photonic crystals (D‐structure) inside the scales of a beetle, the weevil Entimus imperialis. When linearly polarized light propagates along its 〈100〉 directions, the D‐structure behaves analogous to a half‐wave plate in reflection but based on a different mechanism. The D‐structure rotates the polarization direction of linearly polarized light, and reflects circularly polarized light of both handednesses without changing it. This polarization effect is different from circular dichroism occurring in chiral biological photonic structures discovered before. The structural origin of this effect is symmetry breaking inside D‐structure's unit cell. This finding demonstrates that natural photonic structures can exploit multiple functionalities inherent to the design principles of their structural organization. Aiming at transferring the inherent polarization effect of the biological D‐structure to technically realizable materials, three simplified biomimetic structural models are derived and it is theoretically demonstrated that they retain the effect. Out of these structures, functioning woodpile structure prototypes are fabricated.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%