Real photon pairs can be created in a dynamic cavity with periodically modulated refractive index of the constituent media or oscillating boundaries. This effect is called Dynamic Casimir effect (DCE), which represents one of the most amazing predictions of quantum field theory. Here, we investigate DCE in a dynamic one-dimensional photonic crystal system with both temporal and spatial modulation of the refractive index profile. Such a system can resonantly generate photons at driving frequencies equal to even or odd integer times of that of the fundamental cavity mode governed by the symmetry of the spatial modulation. We further observe interesting spectral and scaling behaviors for photons excited at the band edge. Our discovery introduces a new degree of freedom to enhance the efficiency of DCE.
Weyl points are the degenerate points in three-dimensional momentum space with nontrivial topological phase, which are usually realized in classical system with structure and symmetry designs. Here we proposed a one-dimensional layer-stacked photonic crystal using anisotropic materials to realize ideal type-II Weyl points without structure designs. The topological transition from two Dirac points to four Weyl points can be clearly observed by tuning the twist angle between layers. Besides, on the interface between the photonic type-II Weyl material and air, gappless surface states have also been demonstrated in an incomplete bulk bandgap. By breaking parameter symmetry, these ideal type-II Weyl points at the same frequency would transform into the non-ideal ones, and exhibit topological surface states with single group velocity. Our work may provide a new idea for the realization of photonic Weyl points or other semimetal phases by utilizing naturally anisotropic materials.
We report results of a systematic analysis of spatial solitons in the model of 1D photonic crystals, built as a periodic lattice of waveguiding channels, of width D, separated by empty channels of width L-D. The system is characterized by its structural duty cycle, DC = D/L. In the case of the self-defocusing (SDF) intrinsic nonlinearity in the channels, one can predict new effects caused by competition between the linear trapping potential and the effective nonlinear repulsive one. Several species of solitons are found in the first two finite bandgaps of the SDF model, as well as a family of fundamental solitons in the semi-infinite gap of the system with the self-focusing nonlinearity. At moderate values of DC (such as 0.50), both fundamental and higher-order solitons populating the second bandgap of the SDF model suffer destabilization with the increase of the total power. Passing the destabilization point, the solitons assume a flat-top shape, while the shape of unstable solitons gets inverted, with local maxima appearing in empty layers. In the model with narrow channels (around DC =0.25), fundamental and higher-order solitons exist only in the first finite bandgap, where they are stable, despite the fact that they also feature the inverted shape.
We study the effects of single impurities on the transmission in microwave realizations of the photonic Kronig-Penney model, consisting of arrays of Teflon pieces alternating with air spacings in a microwave guide. As only the first propagating mode is considered, the system is essentially one dimensional obeying the Helmholtz equation. We derive analytical closed form expressions from which the band structure, frequency of defect modes, and band profiles can be determined. These agree very well with experimental data for all types of single defects considered (e.g. interstitial, substitutional) and shows that our experimental set-up serves to explore some of the phenomena occurring in more sophisticated experiments. Conversely, based on the understanding provided by our formulas, information about the unknown impurity can be determined by simply observing certain features in the experimental data for the transmission. Further, our results are directly applicable to the closely related quantum 1D Kronig-Penney model.
Light transport in a dilute photonic crystal is considered. The analytical expression for the transmission coefficient is derived.Straightening of light under certain conditions in a one-dimensional photonic crystal is predicted. Such behavior is caused by the formation of a localized state in transversal motion. The main contribution to the central diffracted wave transmission coefficient is due to states, that either close to the conductance bands bottom or deeply localized in the forbidden gap. Both these states suppress mobility in the transverse direction and force light to be straightened. Straightening of light in the optical region along with small reflection make these systems very promising for use in solar cells.
Effective magnetic fields have enabled unprecedented manipulation of neutral particles including photons. In most studied cases, the effective gauge fields are defined through the phase of mode coupling between spatially discrete elements, such as optical resonators and waveguides in the case for photons. Here, in the paradigm of Bloch-wave modulated photonic crystals, we show creation of effective magnetic fields for photons in conventional dielectric continua for the first time, via Floquet band engineering. By controlling the phase and wavevector of Bloch waves, we demonstrated anomalous quantum Hall effect for light with distinct topological band features due to delocalized wave interference. Based on a cavity-free architecture, in which Bloch-wave modulations can be enhanced using guided-resonances in photonic crystals, the study here opens the door to the realization of effective magnetic fields at large scales for optical beam steering and topological light-matter phases with broken time-reversal symmetry.