Enabling Single-Mode Behavior Over Large Areas with Photonic Dirac Points

Applications for this technology include new classes of large-area ultralow-threshold lasers, single-photon sources, quantum information processing devices, and energy harvesting systems.  

Researchers

Jorge Bravo-Abad / John Joannopoulos / Marin Soljacic

Departments: Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies, Department of Physics
Technology Areas: Electronics & Photonics: Photonics
Impact Areas: Advanced Materials

  • three-dimensional periodic dielectric structures having photonic dirac points
    United States of America | Granted | 9,046,647

Technology

This invention proposes a novel route to achieve all-dielectric three-dimensional photonic materials featuring Dirac-like dispersion in a quasi-two-dimensional system.   The technology consists of a face-centered cubic (fcc) structure formed by alternating layers of dielectric rods and dielectric slabs patterned with holes on respective triangular lattices.  This fcc structure also includes a defect layer, which may comprise either dielectric rods or a dielectric slab with patterned holes. This defect layer introduces Dirac cone dispersion into the fcc structure's photonic band structure.   

Problem Addressed

Currently, all proposed realizations of a photonic analog of graphene lack fully omnidirectional out-of-plane confinement, which has prevented creating truly realistic implementations of this class of systems.  

Advantages

  • A feasible approach to achieve simultaneously quasi-two-dimensional light propagation and Dirac cone dispersion in an all-dielectric 3D photonic material

  • Unique light confining properties of a proper choice of 3D layered PhCs enables the creation of extended planar defect modes whose dispersion relation exhibits isolated Dirac points inside a complete 3D photonic band-gap
  • The implementation of structures much larger than the wavelength is feasible for the first time by using the particular photonic materials  

License this technology

Interested in this technology? Connect with our experienced licensing team to initiate the process.

Sign up for technology updates

Sign up now to receive the latest updates on cutting-edge technologies and innovations.