Enabling Anomalous Light Phenomena with Photonic Crystals

J. D. Joannopoulos
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Photonic crystals are periodic dielectric structures that have a band gap that forbids propagation of a certain frequency range of light. This and other properties of these systems enable one to control light with amazing facility and produce effects that are impossible with conventional optics. A quick introduction of the basic concepts involving these materials is presented followed by several examples where anomalous light behavior can be obtained. Examples include the possibility of negative refraction, sub-wavelength resolution, unusual Cerenkov radiation, bandwidth narrowing (without losses) and reverse Doppler shifts.