Centimeter-scale suspended photonic crystal mirrors

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates centimeter-scale suspended photonic crystal mirrors with high reflectivity over large areas, bridging nano-scale fabrication and macroscopic optics for advanced lightweight mirrors.

Contribution

It introduces a method to create large-area suspended PhC mirrors up to 10x10 mm with high reflectivity, overcoming previous size limitations.

Findings

Achieved >90% reflectivity at 1550 nm on 56 nm thick mirrors.

Demonstrated large-area mirrors up to 10x10 mm, much larger than previous PhC devices.

Bridged the gap between nano-scale fabrication and macro-scale optical components.

Abstract

Demand for lightweight, highly reflective and mechanically compliant mirrors for optics experiments has seen a significant surge. In this aspect, photonic crystal (PhC) membranes are ideal alternatives to conventional mirrors, as they provide high reflectivity with only a single suspended layer of patterned dielectric material. However, due to limitations in nanofabrication, these devices are usually not wider than 300 $\mu$m. Here we experimentally demonstrate suspended PhC mirrors spanning areas up to 10$\times$10 mm. We overcome limitations imposed by the size of the PhC and measure reflectivities greater than 90% on 56 nm thick mirrors at a wavelength of 1550 nm -- an unrivaled performance compared to PhC mirrors with micro scale diameters. These structures bridge the gap between nano scale technologies and macroscopic optical elements.