Hyperspectral optical near-field imaging: Looking graded photonic crystals and photonic metamaterials in color

Using a scanning near-field optical microscope operating with a hyperspectral detection scheme, we report the direct observation of the mirage effect within an on-chip integrated artificial material made of a two dimensional graded photonic crystal. The light rainbow due to the material dispersion is quantified experimentally and quantitatively compared to three dimensional plane wave assisted Hamiltonian optics predictions of light propagation. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4756902]