Isotropic properties of the photonic band gap in quasicrystals with low-index contrast

TL;DR

This study investigates the isotropic photonic band gap properties in low-index contrast quasicrystals with high rotational symmetry, demonstrating their potential for isotropic optical applications.

Contribution

It provides experimental and theoretical analysis of photonic band gaps in low-contrast quasicrystalline lattices with high rotational symmetry, highlighting their isotropic properties.

Findings

Photonic band gaps are observed in low-index contrast quasicrystals.

High rotational symmetry leads to isotropic band gap characteristics.

Potential for manufacturing isotropic photonic devices is demonstrated.

Abstract

We report on the formation and development of the photonic band gap in two-dimensional 8-, 10- and 12-fold symmetry quasicrystalline lattices of low index contrast. Finite size structures made of dielectric cylindrical rods were studied and measured in the microwave region, and their properties compared with a conventional hexagonal crystal. Band gap characteristics were investigated by changing the direction of propagation of the incident beam inside the crystal. Various angles of incidence from 0 \degree to 30\degree were used in order to investigate the isotropic nature of the band gap. The arbitrarily high rotational symmetry of aperiodically ordered structures could be practically exploited to manufacture isotropic band gap materials, which are perfectly suitable for hosting waveguides or cavities.