Dispersion-enabled control of photonic density of states in photonic hypercrystals

In this work, we investigate possibility of engineering photonic density of states (PDOS) in photonic hypercrystals (PHCs). In the course of our analysis, we have demonstrated that it is possible to obtain photonic bandgap for selected polarization of light as well as to achieve significant broadband PDOS enhancement. We have also presented for the first time that anomalous dispersion, that arises from effective resonance of hyperbolic medium constituting the PHC structure, may lead to negative PDOS, which is photonic equivalent of mobility gap, observed in electronic crystals. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that application of PHC structure, instead of standalone hyperbolic medium, allows to obtain more versatile electromagnetic response, such as broadband perfect absorption of adjustable spectral range of operation.

Automated summary

In this work, we explore the possibilities of manipulating photonic density of states (PDOS) in photonic hypercrystals (PHCs). Our analysis demonstrates the ability to achieve photonic bandgap for specific polarization of light and significant enhancement in broadband PDOS. We also introduce the concept of anomalous dispersion arising from effective resonance of the hyperbolic medium in the PHC structure, which can result in negative PDOS, similar to the mobility gap observed in electronic crystals. Furthermore, we show that employing PHC structures instead of standalone hyperbolic media enables more versatile electromagnetic responses, such as broadband perfect absorption with adjustable spectral range of operation.