Optically tunable superprism effect in nonlinear photonic crystals

An analysis of the tunable superprism effect in a two-dimensional nonlinear photonic crystal is presented. We show that, by shifting the photonic bands of the crystal through the Kerr effect induced by a pump beam, one can tune the refraction angle of a transmitted signal beam over tens of degrees. We also demonstrate that the optical power required to tune the refracted angle is dramatically reduced. if the frequency of the pump beam is close to a bandgap edge. (C) 2003 Optical Society of America.