Complete redshift photonic bandgap and dual-wavelength polarization selection in periodic multilayer structure containing hyperbolic metamaterial

According to the Bragg interference mechanism, photonic bandgaps (PBGs) in conventional all-dielectric periodic multilayer structures shift towards shorter wavelengths (blueshift) as the incident angle increases under both TM and TE polarizations. Hence, the polarization dependence of PBGs in conventional all-dielectric periodic multilayer structures is too weak to realize polarization selection in a broad angle range. Based on the anomalous angle-dependent property of the propagating phase within hyperbolic metamaterial (HMM), we design a complete redshift PBG under TM polarization whose two band edges shift towards longer wavelengths as the incident angle increases in a periodic multilayer structure composed of alternating dielectric and HMM layers. However, the PBG under TE polarization is still blueshifted. As a result, around the long-wavelength and the short-wavelength band edges, efficient polarization selection can be achieved in a broad angle range. This dual-wavelength wide-angle polarization selector based on the complete redshift PBG might possess applications in liquid crystal displays and read-write magneto-optical data storage devices.

Automated summary

According to the Bragg interference mechanism, photonic bandgaps in traditional multilayer structures show a blueshift as the incident angle increases, while a PBG designed within a hyperbolic metamaterial under TM polarization exhibits a complete redshift, enabling efficient polarization selection within a wide angle range.