Lifshitz Localization-based Reconfigurable Photonic Crystals

We theoretically investigate programming the functionality of photonic crystals (PCs) by reconfiguring the random location of defects. It is shown, via numerical finite-difference timedomain simulations, that the random spatial location of defects, implemented as identical changes in refractive index with respect to the host lattice, has the potential to enable realizing a large number of functions, from optical switching, based on the transition from localized to extended light wave propagation states, to beam steering, and slow light functions. The reconfigurability concept exploits nanofluidic capillarity in nanochannels to change the refractive index properties of individually addressable fluidic-based defects. VC 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 53:2721–2724, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26441