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Vapor control of resonant Zener tunneling of light in a photonic crystal
Author(s) -
Ghulinyan M.,
Gaburro Z.,
Wiersma D. S.,
Pavesi L.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
physica status solidi (a)
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.532
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1862-6319
pISSN - 1862-6300
DOI - 10.1002/pssa.200674334
Subject(s) - photonic crystal , zener diode , materials science , optoelectronics , refractive index , quantum tunnelling , photonics , dielectric , silicon , optics , transistor , physics , voltage , quantum mechanics
We show a vapor controlled one‐dimensional photonic crystal built with a silicon‐based dielectric mesoporous material, in which the refractive index can be continuously tuned by flowing organic vapors through the pores. Exposure of the crystal to vapors induces an inhomogeneous change in the refractive index through the depth and results in a tilted photonic band structure. We drive the photonic crystal to the optical Zener breakdown condition, introducing an enhanced transmission channel through the crystal. This phenomenon closely resembles the electronic Zener breakdown in a reverse‐biased p–n junction. The effect is reversible and opens new perspectives for physics in photonic crystals and novel device concepts based on sensing, switching and processing of light. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)