Group theory of circular-polarization effects in chiral photonic crystals with four-fold rotation axes applied to the eight-fold intergrowth of gyroid nets

Saba M, Turner MD, Mecke K, Gu M, Schröder-Turk G (2013)

Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2013

Journal

Physical Review B American Physical Society

Publisher: AMER PHYSICAL SOC

Book Volume: 88

Journal Issue: 24

DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.88.245116

Abstract

We use group or representation theory and scattering matrix calculations to derive analytical results for the band structure topology and the scattering parameters, applicable to any chiral photonic crystal with body-centered-cubic symmetry I432 for circularly polarized incident light. We demonstrate in particular that all bands along the cubic [100] direction can be identified with the irreducible representations E-+/-, A, and B of the C-4 point group. E+ and E- modes represent the only transmission channels for plane waves with wave vector along the Delta line, and E- and E+ are identified as noninteracting transmission channels for right-and left-circularly polarized light, respectively. Scattering matrix calculations provide explicit relationships for the transmission and reflectance amplitudes through a finite slab which guarantee equal transmission rates for both polarizations and vanishing ellipticity below a critical frequency, yet allowing for finite rotation of the polarization plane. All results are verified numerically for the so-called 8-srs geometry, consisting of eight interwoven equal-handed dielectric gyroid networks embedded in air. The combination of vanishing losses, vanishing ellipticity, near-perfect transmission, and optical activity comparable to that of metallic metamaterials makes this geometry an attractive design for nanofabricated photonic materials.

Authors with CRIS profile

Matthias Saba Lehrstuhl für Theoretische Physik Klaus Mecke Lehrstuhl für Theoretische Physik Gerd Schröder-Turk Professur für Theoretische Physik

Additional Organisation(s)

Exzellenz-Cluster Engineering of Advanced Materials

Involved external institutions

Swinburne University of Technology AU Australia (AU)

How to cite

APA:

Saba, M., Turner, M.D., Mecke, K., Gu, M., & Schröder-Turk, G. (2013). Group theory of circular-polarization effects in chiral photonic crystals with four-fold rotation axes applied to the eight-fold intergrowth of gyroid nets. Physical Review B, 88(24). https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.88.245116

MLA:

Saba, Matthias, et al. "Group theory of circular-polarization effects in chiral photonic crystals with four-fold rotation axes applied to the eight-fold intergrowth of gyroid nets." Physical Review B 88.24 (2013).

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