Omnidirectional photonic band gaps in optical lattices

• Grant number: 13/26766-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: April 01, 2014
• End date: February 04, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Atomic and Molecular Physics
• Principal Investigator: Philippe Wilhelm Courteille
• Grantee: Rodrigo Figueiredo Shiozaki
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07276-1 - CEPOF - Optics and Photonic Research Center, AP.CEPID

Abstract

In this project, our main goal is to create in an optical lattice, omnidirectional photonic band gaps (PBG), i.e. spectral bands in which there are no modes for light propagation within the lattice regardless of the incidence direction. We intend to observe PBG by realizing a diamond-shape optical lattice with strontium atoms. Although many advances, including PBG, were achieved in photonic crystals, such materials present intrinsic "manufacturing defects" that degrade some essential properties. In unidimensional optical lattices, PBGs were observed, but only for a small incidence solid angle by means of Bragg scattering. Recent results have provided a solid theoretical basis for the occurrence of omnidirectional PBGs specifically in diamond-shape lattices loaded with strontium atoms. In this case, PBGs can also be detected by Bragg scattering, but the strongest indicative results from one of the most interesting consequences of PBG: spontaneous emission suppression. This effect leads to some remarkable prospects: the creation of an atom-photon bound state, and the control of gap solitons (self-localized pulses). Since diamond-shape lattices were never realized, this intermediate goal already represents a great achievement that also opens many research perspectives. (AU)