Parametric dependence of bound states in the continuum: a general theory

TL;DR

This paper develops a general theory to quantify the parametric dependence of bound states in the continuum (BICs) in photonic structures, providing a formula for their robustness and illustrating it with numerical examples.

Contribution

It introduces a formula for the integer n that characterizes the robustness of BICs against structural perturbations and applies it to various 2D photonic structures.

Findings

Robust BICs have n=0, nonrobust have n≥1.

n equals the codimension of the BIC in parameter space.

The study offers a practical method to predict BIC robustness.

Abstract

Photonic structures with high-$Q$ resonances are essential for many practical applications, and they can be relatively easily realized by modifying ideal structures with bound states in the continuum (BICs). When an ideal photonic structure with a BIC is perturbed, the BIC may be destroyed (becomes a resonant state) or may continue to exist with a slightly different frequency and a slightly different wavevector (if appropriate). Some BICs are robust against certain structural perturbations, but most BICs are nonrobust. Recent studies suggest that a nonnegative integer $n$ can be defined for any generic nondegenerate BIC with respect to a properly defined set of structural perturbations. The integer $n$ is the minimum number of tunable parameters needed to preserve the BIC for perturbations arbitrarily chosen from the set. Robust and nonrobust BICs have $n=0$ and $n\ge 1$, respectively. A larger $n$ implies that the BIC is more difficult to find. If a structure is given by $m$ real parameters, the integer $n$ is the codimension of a geometric object formed by the parameter values at which the BIC exists in the $m$-dimensional parameter space. In this paper, we suggest a formula for $n$, give some justification for the general case, calculate $n$ for different types of BICs in two-dimensional structures with a single periodic direction, and illustrate the results by numerical examples. Our study improves the theoretical understanding on BICs and provides useful guidance to their practical applications.