Weyl points in photonic-crystal superlattices. (19th August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bravo-Abad, Jorge; Lu, Ling; Fu, Liang; Buljan, Hrvoje; Soljačić, Marin
• Is Part Of: 2D materials. Volume 2:Number 3(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-08-19
• Subjects: Weyl points -- three-dimensional photonic crystals -- topological photonics; Graphene -- Periodicals; Materials science -- Periodicals; Nanostructured materials -- Periodicals; 620.115
• DOI: 10.1088/2053-1583/2/3/034013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2053-1583

Abstract

Abstract: We show that Weyl points can be realized in all-dielectric superlattices based on three-dimensional (3D) layered photonic crystals. Our approach is based on creating an inversion-breaking array of weakly-coupled planar defects embedded in a periodic layered structure with a large omnidirectional photonic band gap. Using detailed band structure calculations and tight-binding theory arguments, we demonstrate that this class of layered systems can be tailored to display 3D linear point degeneracies between two photonic bands, without breaking time-reversal symmetry and using a configuration that is readily-accessible experimentally. These results open new prospects for the observation of Weyl points in the near-infrared and optical regimes and for the application of Weyl-physics in integrated photonic devices.