Complete 2π phase control by photonic crystal slabs

Photonic crystal slabs are the state of the art in the studies of the light confinement, optical wave modulating and guiding, as well as nonlinear optical response. Previous studies have shown abundant real-world implementations of photonic crystals in planar optics, metamaterials, sensors, and lasers. Here, we report a novel full 2 pi phase control method in the reflected light beam over the interaction with a photonic crystal resonant mode, verified by the temporal coupled-mode analysis and S-parameter simulations. Enhanced by the asymmetric coupling with the output ports, the 2 pi phase shift can be achieved with the silicon photonics platforms such as Silicon-on-Silica and Silicon-on-Insulator heterostructures. Such photonic crystal phase control method provides a general guide in the design of phase-shift metamaterials, suggesting a wide range of applications in the field of sensing, spatial light modulation, and beam steering. (C) 2021 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement

Automated summary

Photonic crystal slabs are at the forefront of research in light confinement, optical wave modulation, and guiding, with abundant real-world applications. A novel 2pi phase control method has been developed for reflected light beams interacting with photonic crystal resonant modes, offering a general guide for the design of phase-shift metamaterials. Enhanced by asymmetric coupling with output ports, this method can be achieved on silicon photonics platforms, suggesting a wide range of applications in sensing, spatial light modulation, and beam steering.