Local phase measurements of light in a one-dimensional photonic crystal.
For the first time the local optical phase evolution in and around a small, one-dimensional photonic crystal has been visualized with a heterodyne interferometric photon scanning tunnelling microscope. The measurements show an exponential decay of the optical intensity inside the crystal, which consists of a periodic array of subwavelength air rods fabricated in a conventional ridge waveguide. In addition it is found that the introduction of the air rods has a counterintuitive effect on the phase development inside the structure. The heterodyne detection scheme allows the detection of low-intensity scattered waves. In the vicinity of the scattering air rods phase singularities are found with a topological charge of plus or minus one.
Flück
E
E
Applied Optics Group, Department of Applied Physics and MESA+ Research Institute, University of Twente, PO Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands. eflueck@tn.utwente.nl
Otter
A M
AM
Korterik
J P
JP
Balistreri
M L
ML
Kuipers
L
L
Van Hulst
N F
NF