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Slow light in photonic crystals

Nature Photonics volume 2, pages 465–473 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Slow light with a remarkably low group velocity is a promising solution for buffering and time-domain processing of optical signals. It also offers the possibility for spatial compression of optical energy and the enhancement of linear and nonlinear optical effects. Photonic-crystal devices are especially attractive for generating slow light, as they are compatible with on-chip integration and room-temperature operation, and can offer wide-bandwidth and dispersion-free propagation. Here the background theory, recent experimental demonstrations and progress towards tunable slow-light structures based on photonic-band engineering are reviewed. Practical issues related to real devices and their applications are also discussed.

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Figure 1: Waveguides, photonic bands and group-index characteristics.
Figure 2: Schematic operation, band diagrams and group-index spectra of dispersion-free slow-light devices.
Figure 3: A PC coupled waveguide and its light-propagation characteristics.
Figure 4: A PCW modified for zero-dispersion slow light.
Figure 5: A CROW consisting of cascaded microrings fabricated on an SOI substrate.
Figure 6: Delay tuning of slow-light pulses in a chirped PC coupled waveguide.

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  1. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, 240-8501, Yokohama, Japan

    Toshihiko Baba

  2. CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency, 5 Sanban-cho, Chiyoda-ku, 102-0075, Tokyo, Japan

    Toshihiko Baba

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  1. Toshihiko Baba
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Correspondence to Toshihiko Baba.

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Baba, T. Slow light in photonic crystals. Nature Photon 2, 465–473 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2008.146

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