Bingying Cheng

Band gap and wave guiding effect in a quasiperiodic photonic crystal

A two-dimensional octagonal quasiperiodic photonic crystal composed of alumina cylinders is prepared. The transmission spectra of the quasicrystal are measured in the microwave region for the TM wave. We find that the position and width of the band gap do not depend on the incident direction, while the band structure can appear for quite a small piece of the quasicrystal. Two types of waveguide, a straight guide and a bending guide with two sharp 90° corners, are fabricated by removing three rows of cylinders. The measured transmittances show that the guiding efficiency for both waveguides is high.

Broadband efficient second harmonic generation in media with a short-range order

The authors demonstrate broadband efficient quasiphase matched second harmonic generation (SHG) in nonlinear LiNbO3 crystals. The distribution of ferroelectric domains in a short-range order provides the possibility for broadband second harmonic generation in the visible range. This process is similar to the broadband SHG in random media, but it results in much higher conversion efficiency. The unique distribution of reciprocal vectors provided by the structural short-range order plays an important role in the enhancement. The achieved broadband SHG with high conversion efficiency will aid in the development of optics integration and multiple-channel devices.

Ultrafast three-dimensional tunable photonic crystal

We demonstrate a continuously tunable photonic crystal with several picoseconds response, which is fabricated through a self-assembly formation method of polystyrene spheres. The large optical nonlinearity originates from the delocalization of the conjugated π-electron along polymer chains. The pump and probe scheme is adopted to measure the transmission changes based on the optical Kerr effect. The dynamic shift of the photonic band gap is studied. It is found that the band gap shifts about 13 nm when the input peak intensity is 40.4 GW/cm2, which is in agreement with the theoretical predictions.

Pressure Controlled Self-Assembly of High Quality Three-Dimensional Colloidal Photonic Crystals

A concise pressure controlled isothermal heating vertical deposition (PCIHVD) method is developed, which provides an optimal growing condition with better stability and reproducibility for fabricating photonic crystals (PCs) without the limitation of colloidal sphere materials and sizes. High quality PCs are fabricated with PCIHVD from polystyrene spheres with diameters ranging from 200 nm to 1 mu m. The deep photonic band gap and steep photonic band edge of the samples are most favorable for realizing ultrafast optical devices, photonic chips, and communications. This method makes a meaningful advance in the quality and diversity of PCs and greatly promotes their wide applications.

Second-harmonic generation in two-dimensional periodically poled lithium niobate using second-order quasiphase matching

Two-dimensional nonlinear photonic crystals of lithium niobate with square lattices were fabricated. In these crystals, efficient quasiphase-matched second-harmonic generation was demonstrated by using second-order quasiphase matching. As a mode-locked Nd:yttritium–aluminum–garnet laser at 1064 nm with 35 ps pulse was used, we obtained an average power of 0.86 mW at 532 nm with 2.73 mW input, which corresponds to 42% internal conversion efficiency. The variations of second-harmonic output with crystal temperature and incident angle were measured. In addition, the relation between the second-harmonic output and reversed duty cycle was studied. All the experimental results are well consistent with simulations.

Ultrafast all-optical switching in two-dimensional organic photonic crystal

An all-optical switching with high switch efficiency is realized based on two-dimensional nonlinear photonic crystal made of polystyrene. The prism-film coupling method is used to couple energy of probe light into photonic crystal waveguide. High transmittance contrast of more than 60% is realized for the probe light. Time response of the optical switching is around l0 ps. The dynamical shifts of photonic gap induced by pump light are measured and analyzed in detail. The photonic gap shifts l0 nm under the excitation of 16.7GW∕cm2 pump intensity, which is in agreement with the theoretical predictions.

More direct evidence of the fcc arrangement for artificial opal

We present a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigation of artificial opals prepared by the sedimentation of suspension with sub-micrometer silica spheres. An analysis of the SEM images confirms that the fcc stacking is the most stable phase for the artificial crystals. Optical diffraction and transmission spectrum indicate a good alignment of the top (111) crystal plane. We also show that defects and dislocations of opal crystals are caused mainly by the irregular spheres. Slow sedimentation and uniform size of silica spheres may be the key factors for growing high quality opal crystals.

Broadband optical reflector—an application of light localization in one dimension

A broad‐band optical reflector based on the localization of light for one‐dimensional disordered systems is proposed and demonstrated both theoretically and experimentally. The binary disordered multilayer reflector consists of alternating random layers of two coating materials. Its high reflection range is much wider than that of standard λ/4 stacks and can be obtained by a conventional coating method and ordinary materials. This kind of reflector will have significant applications in laser technology and optical equipment.

Subpicosecond optical switching in polystyrene opal

An ultrafast all-optical switching is demonstrated in an organic three-dimensional nonlinear photonic crystal with a response time as short as 120 fs. The operating wavelength of the optical switching is in the visible spectrum. The switching function is realized by a shift of the photonic band gap under optical pumping. It is found that the photonic band gap shifts about 10 nm with the excitation of 27.5GW∕cm2 pump laser.

All-optical switching of defect mode in two-dimensional nonlinear organic photonic crystals

An all-optical switching is demonstrated by use of defect mode in two-dimensional nonlinear photonic crystals made of polystyrene. Transmittance contrast of about 70% is achieved for the probe light. The dynamical shifts of the defect mode induced by pump intensity are measured and analyzed in detail. It is found that the defect mode shifts 5 nm under the excitation of 18.7GW∕cm2 pump intensity, which is in agreement with the theoretical predictions. Time response of the optical switching is smaller than the laser pulse of about 10 ps.