title: Cerenkov radiation in photonic crystals.
abstract: In a conventional material, the coherent Cerenkov radiation due to a moving charged particle is associated with a velocity threshold, a forward-pointing radiation cone, and a forward direction of emission. We describe different behavior for the Cerenkov radiation in a photonic crystal. In particular, this radiation is intrinsically coupled with transition radiation and is observable without any threshold. Within one particle-velocity range, we found a radiation pattern with a backward-pointing radiation cone. In another velocity range, backward-propagating Cerenkov radiation can be expected. Potential applications include velocity-sensitive particle detection and radiation generation at selectable frequencies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Center for Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
authors.forename: Chiyan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Mihai
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ibanescu
authors.forename: Steven G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Joannopoulos