We discuss the optical transport properties of complex photonic structures ranging from ordered photonic crystals to disordered strongly-scattering materials, with particular focus on the intermediate regime between complete order and disorder. We start by giving an overview of the field and explain the important analogies between the transport of optical waves in complex photonic materials and the transport of electrons in solids. We then discuss amplifying disordered materials that exhibit random laser action and show how liquid crystal infiltration can be used to control the scattering strength of random structures. Also we discuss the occurrence of narrow emission modes in random lasers. Liquid crystals are discussed as an example of a partially ordered system and particular attention is dedicated to quasi-crystalline materials. One-dimensional quasi-crystals can be realized by controlled etching of multi-layer structures in silicon. Transmission spectra of Fibonacci type quasi-crystals are reported and the (self-similar) light distributions of the transmission modes at the Fibonacci band edge are calculated and discussed.
Optics of nanostructured dielectrics
Ghulinyan, Mher;
2005-01-01
Abstract
We discuss the optical transport properties of complex photonic structures ranging from ordered photonic crystals to disordered strongly-scattering materials, with particular focus on the intermediate regime between complete order and disorder. We start by giving an overview of the field and explain the important analogies between the transport of optical waves in complex photonic materials and the transport of electrons in solids. We then discuss amplifying disordered materials that exhibit random laser action and show how liquid crystal infiltration can be used to control the scattering strength of random structures. Also we discuss the occurrence of narrow emission modes in random lasers. Liquid crystals are discussed as an example of a partially ordered system and particular attention is dedicated to quasi-crystalline materials. One-dimensional quasi-crystals can be realized by controlled etching of multi-layer structures in silicon. Transmission spectra of Fibonacci type quasi-crystals are reported and the (self-similar) light distributions of the transmission modes at the Fibonacci band edge are calculated and discussed.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
