Realization of three-dimensional guiding of photons in photonic crystals

• Published in: Nature photonics Vol. 7; no. 2; pp. 133 - 137
• Main Authors: Ishizaki, Kenji, Koumura, Masaki, Suzuki, Katsuyoshi, Gondaira, Kou, Noda, Susumu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 01-02-2013; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 639/624/399/1022; 639/624/400/1021; Applied and Technical Physics; Bends; Crystals; Design engineering; Fabrication; letter; Nanostructure; Photonic crystals; Photonics; Photons; Physics; Quantum Physics; Three dimensional
• ISSN: 1749-4885; 1749-4893
• DOI: 10.1038/nphoton.2012.341

Three-dimensional photonic crystals
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are expected to provide a fundamental building block for the realization of three-dimensional manipulation of photons. However, because of the lack of systematic design principles to precisely control bending and guiding in three dimensions, as well as advancements in the fabrication technology necessary for the realization of large-area, defect-free three-dimensional photonic crystals, the arbitrary three-dimensional manipulation of photons has yet to be demonstrated. Here, we develop a new design concept for three-dimensional waveguides and bends, and realize it experimentally in silicon three-dimensional photonic crystals. We demonstrate clear three-dimensional optical guiding phenomena, in which light is incident on the crystal from one side, is bent vertically and horizontally (and is even split into two or trapped by an intermediate nanocavity), and is finally emitted from the other side of the crystal. These results will open the door to the realization of three-dimensional optical chips with various functionalities.
Researchers demonstrate the three-dimensional routing of light through a three-dimensional photonic crystal. Before transmission, the light is bent both vertically and horizontally, split and trapped.