Experimental demonstration of photonic crystal waveplates

TL;DR

This paper reports the experimental creation and testing of a microwave half waveplate made from a 2D photonic crystal, demonstrating high polarization contrast and potential for integrated photonic applications.

Contribution

It presents the first experimental demonstration of a photonic crystal waveplate operating at microwave frequencies.

Findings

Achieved 200:1 polarization contrast.

Demonstrated dispersive birefringence in a 2D photonic crystal.

Potential for integration in photonic circuits.

Abstract

We have constructed and experimentally tested a microwave half waveplate using the dispersive birefringent properties of a bulk two-dimensional photonic crystal away from its band gap. Our waveplate device exhibited a 200:1 polarization contrast, limited by our experimental resolution. We anticipate that photonic crystal waveplates will have important practical applications in several areas, including integrated photonic circuits.