I. V. Timofeev

Tunable bi-functional photonic device based on one-dimensional photonic crystal infiltrated with a bistable liquid-crystal layer.

We investigated the optical properties of a one-dimensional photonic crystal infiltrated with a bistable chiral tilted homeotropic nematic liquid crystal as the central defect layer. By modulating the nematic director orientation with applied voltage, the electrical tunability of the defect modes was observed in the transmission spectrum. The composite not only is a general tunable device but also involves the green concept in that it can operate in two stable states at 0 V. Under the parallel-polarizer scheme, the spectral characteristics suggest a potential application for this device as an energy-efficient multichannel optical switch.

Spectral modulation of a bistable liquid-crystal photonic structure by the polarization effect

The light polarization has an effect on spectral properties of a multilayered photonic crystal infiltrated with a bistable chiral-tilted homeotropic nematic liquid crystal (LC) as a defect layer. By varying the direction of polarization of incident, linearly polarized light interacting with the birefringent LC, the tunability of defect modes in wavelength and amplitude and the broadening of the low-transmittance range can be realized in the transmission spectrum. The LC features two optically stable states and two voltage-sustained states. The bistability makes the device of low energy consumption. Such a hybrid can be used as not only a wavelength selector, optical shutter or multichannel switch but also a stopband-tunable device.

Spectral properties of a one-dimensional photonic crystal with a resonant defect nanocomposite layer

The spectral properties of a one-dimensional photonic crystal with a defect nanocomposite layer that consists of metallic nanoballs distributed in a transparent matrix and is characterized by an effective resonance permittivity are studied. The problem of calculating the transmission, reflection, and absorption spectra of p-polarized waves in such structures is solved for oblique incidence of light, and the spectral manifestation of defect-mode splitting as a function of the volume fraction of nanoballs and the structural parameters is studied. The splitting is found to depend substantially on the nanoball concentration in the defect, the defect layer thickness, and the angle of incidence. The angle of incidence is found at which the resonance frequency of the nanocomposite is located near the edge of the bandgap or falls in the frequency region of a continuous spectrum. The resonance situation appearing in this case results in an additional transmission band or an additional bandgap in the transmission spectrum.

Optical Tamm states at the interface between a photonic crystal and a nanocomposite with resonance dispersion

Optical Tamm states localized at the edges of a photonic crystal bounded from one or both sides by a nanocomposite have been studied. The nanocomposite consists of metallic nanoinclusions, which have a spherical or orientationally ordered spheroidal shape and are dispersed in a transparent matrix, and is characterized by the resonant effective permittivity. The transmission, reflection, and absorption spectra have been calculated for waves with longitudinal and transverse polarizations in such structures at the normal incidence of light. The spectral manifestation of Tamm states that is due to the existence of negative values of the real part of the effective permittivity has been analyzed for the visible spectral range. It has been established that the characteristics of Tamm states localized at the edge of the photonic crystal depend strongly both on the concentration of nanoballs in the nanocomposite film and on its thickness. Modes formed by two coupled Tamm plasmon polaritons localized at the edges of the photonic crystal adjacent to two nanocomposite layers have been examined. It has been shown that, in the case of the anisotropic nanocomposite layer adjacent to the photonic crystal, each of two orthogonal polarizations of the incident wave corresponds to a specific frequency of the Tamm state localized at the edge; owing to this property, the transmission spectra of such a structure are polarization sensitive.

Voltage-induced defect mode coupling in a one-dimensional photonic crystal with a twisted-nematic defect layer.

Defect modes are investigated in a band gap of an electrically tunable one-dimensional photonic crystal infiltrated with a twisted-nematic liquid crystal. Their frequency shift and interference under applied voltage are studied both experimentally and theoretically. We deal with the case where the defect layer thickness is much larger than the wavelength (i.e., the Mauguin condition). It is shown theoretically that the defect modes could have a complex structure with elliptic polarization. Two series of polarized modes are coupled with each other and exhibit an avoided crossing phenomenon in the case of opposite parity.

Chiral optical Tamm states at the boundary of the medium with helical symmetry of the dielectric tensor

A new optical state at the boundary of a chiral medium whose dielectric tensor has a helical symmetry is described analytically and numerically. The case of zero tangential wavenumber is considered. The state localized near the boundary does not transfer energy along this boundary and decreases exponentially with the distance from the boundary. The penetration of the field into the chiral medium is blocked at wavelengths corresponding to the photonic band gap and close to the pitch of the helix. The polarization of light near the boundary has the same sign of chirality as the helical symmetry. It is shown that the homogeneous environment or a substrate should exhibit anisotropic metallic reflection. The spectral manifestation of the state is determined by the angle between the optical axes of the media at the interface. A state at the interface between a cholesteric liquid crystal and an anisotropic metal–dielectric nanocomposite was considered as an example.

Chiral Optical Tamm States: Temporal Coupled-Mode Theory

The chiral optical Tamm state (COTS) is a special localized state at the interface of a handedness-preserving mirror and a structurally chiral medium such as a cholesteric liquid crystal or a chiral sculptured thin film. The spectral behavior of COTS, observed as reflection resonances, is described by the temporal coupled-mode theory. Mode coupling is different for two circular light polarizations because COTS has a helical structure replicating that of the cholesteric. The mode coupling for co-handed circularly polarized light exponentially attenuates with the cholesteric layer thickness since the COTS frequency falls into the stop band. Cross-handed circularly polarized light freely goes through the cholesteric layer and can excite COTS when reflected from the handedness-preserving mirror. The coupling in this case is proportional to anisotropy of the cholesteric and theoretically only anisotropy in magnetic permittivity can ultimately cancel this coupling. These two couplings being equal result in a polarization crossover (the Kopp–Genack effect) for which a linear polarization is optimal to excite COTS. The corresponding cholesteric thickness and scattering matrix for COTS are generally described by simple expressions.

Enhanced light absorption with a cholesteric liquid crystal layer

We discuss the trapping features of cholesteric liquid crystal as a self-organized photonic crystal and suggest it for absorption improvement. The imperfection of the absorbing surface is manifested by the reflection originating from the indispensable impedance mismatch. The reflection can be suppressed by an additional surface coating to reflect the light back to the absorber once again. In the simple consideration this reflection loop is possible only twice. For a right-handed CLC coating, the boundary reflection switches the light polarization from left to right circular in the first loop and it switches in the second loop back to the left circular polarization before the emerging light finally escapes from the absorbing process. The enhancement of light absorption is possible in the frequency range as large as the photonic bang gap of the cholesteric layer, which can be adjusted as desired.

Photo-manipulated photonic bandgap devices based on optically tristable chiral-tilted homeotropic nematic liquid crystal

We report on the spectral properties of an optically switchable tristable chiral-tilted homeotropic nematic liquid crystal (LC) incorporated as a tunable defect layer in one-dimensional photonic crystal. By varying the polarization angle of the incident light and modulating the light intensity ratio between UV and green light, various transmission characteristics of the composite were obtained. The hybrid structure realizes photo-tunability in transmission of defect-mode peaks within the photonic bandgap in addition to optical switchability among three distinct sets of defect modes via photoinduced tristable state transitions. Because the fabrication process is easier and less critical in terms of cell parameters or sample preparation conditions and the LC layer itself possesses an extra stable state compared with the previously reported bistable counterpart operating on the basis of biased-voltage dual-frequency switching, it has much superior potential for photonic applications such as a low-power-consumption multichannel filter and an optically controllable intensity modulator.

Spectral and polarization properties of a ‘cholesteric liquid crystal—phase plate—metal’ structure

We investigate the localized surface modes in a structure consisting of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer, a phase plate, and a metal layer. These modes are analogous to the optical Tamm states. The nonreciprocal transmission of polarized light propagating in the forward and backward directions is established. It is demonstrated that the transmission spectrum can be controlled by external fields acting on the cholesteric liquid crystal and by varying the plane of polarization of the incident light. [The text is presented both in English (pp 1-9) and in Russian (pp 10-19)]We investigate the localized surface modes in a structure consisting of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer, a phase plate, and a metal layer. These modes are analogous to the optical Tamm states. The anisotropy of transmission of light propagating the forward and backward directions is established. It is demonstrated that the transmission spectrum can be controlled by external fields acting on the cholesteric and by varying the plane of polarization of the incident light. [The text is presented both in English (pp 1-10) and in Russian (pp 11-20)]