Rainbow Trapping Using Chirped All-Dielectric Periodic Structures

Abstract

We report a numerical investigation of rainbow trapping (light of different wavelengths) at different spatial locations in a newly designed two-dimensional photonic structure that is formed using chirping parameters in two-dimensional photonic crystals. Chirped parameters ensure trapping of certain light wavelengths inside these structures. To achieve broadband electromagnetic wave trapping, we properly adjust and chirp the position and dielectric filling factor of each unit cell within a photonic crystal structure. The low group velocity regions of the dielectric continuum bands at the Brillouin zone edge enable different wavelengths to be slowed and stopped along the propagation direction. The all-dielectric transparent material nature of the proposed structure realizes light trapping in different electromagnetic regions by spatially varying the effective refractive index of the structure.