Conductance of photons and Anderson localization of light

Conductance properties of photons in disordered two-dimensional photonic crystals is calculated using exact multipole expansions technique. The Landauers two-terminal formula is used to calculate average of the conductance, its variance and the probability density distribution

Exact modelling of generalised defect modes in photonic crystal structures

An exact theory for modelling modes of generalised defects in 2D photonic crystals (PCs) with a genuinely infinite cladding is presented. The approach builds on our fictitious source superposition method for simple defects and permits an elegant extension allowing the modelling of arbitrary defects. Numerical results that demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the extended method are presented. We also use the method to study the evolution of the mode generated by varying the refractive index of a single defect cylinder and find significant differences between the behaviour of defects in rod-type and hole-type PCs. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Diffusion and anomalous diffusion of light in two-dimensional photonic crystals

The transport properties of electromagnetic waves in disordered, finite, two-dimensional photonic crystals composed of circular cylinders are considered. Transport parameters such as the transport and scattering mean free paths and the transport velocity are calculated, for the case where the electromagnetic radiation has its electric field along the cylinder axes. The range of the parameters in which the diffusion process can take place is specified. It is shown that the transport velocity [Formula presented] can be as much as [Formula presented] times less than its free space value, while just outside the cluster [Formula presented] can be 0.3c. The effects of weak and strong disorders on the transport velocity are investigated. Different regimes of the wave transport—ordered propagation, diffusion, and anomalous diffusion—are demonstrated, and it is inferred that Anderson localization is incipient in the latter regime. Exact numerical calculations from the Helmholtz equation are shown to be in good agreement with the diffusion approximation. © 2003 The American Physical Society

On the cloaking effects associated with anomalous localized resonance

Regions of anomalous localized resonance, such as occurring near superlenses, are shown to lead to cloaking effects. This occurs when the resonant field generated by a polarizable line or point dipole acts back on the polarizable line or point dipole an

Resonant cloaking and local density of states

We discuss methods for hiding of objects from detection by electromagnetic waves (cloaking), and also ways by which cloaked objects may be detected. The possibility of detection by means of thermal radiation emitted when electromagnetic energy is resonantly absorbed motivates the calculation of local density of states (LDOS), which controls the ability of a source inside a structured system to radiate. We give the first results of an investigation of the LDOS for systems which cloak by resonant interaction with electromagnetic fields. © 2010 Elsevier B.V

Frequency shift of sources embedded in finite two-dimensional photonic clusters

The frequency (Lamb) shift and local density of states (LDOS) in two-dimensional photonic crystals composed of a cluster of infinitely long circular cylinders is calculated classically using the radiation reaction mechanism. We investigate the frequency shift and LDOS as a function of the size of the cluster and show that, at the edges of the band gap, both quantities can be large and increase in magnitude with cluster size. We explain this in terms of poles of a scattering operator and also show that both the Lamb shift and LDOS are sensitive functions of the shape of the cluster

Cylinder gratings in conical incidence with applications to woodpile structures

We use our previous formulation for cylinder gratings in conical incidence to discuss the photonic band gap properties of woodpile structures. We study scattering matrices and Bloch modes of the woodpile, and use these to investigate the dependence of the optical properties on the number of layers. We give data on reflectance, transmittance and absorptance of metallic woodpiles as a function of wavelength and number of layers, using both the measured optical constants of tungsten and using a perfect conductivity idealization to characterize the metal. For semi-infinite metallic woodpiles, we show that polarization of the incident field is important, highlighting the role played by surface effects as opposed to lattice effects. © 2003 The American Physical Society

Mathematica based platform for self-paced learning

One of the major challenges in teaching applied mathematics is the large amount of calculation involved in many practical mathematical methods. On one hand, mastering these methods requires students to gain experience in performing all steps of a calculation. This experience is crucial for gaining an understanding of the methods, their capabilities and limitations, and cannot be replaced by black box type commercial software which simply displays the results of calculations and gives no insight into the nature of the operations performed. On the other hand, the calculations involved in many modern mathematical methods are tedious and time consuming with fatal results caused by even minor computational mistakes. The advent of computer algebra systems such as Mathematica opened new horizons in teaching mathematics. The ability to perform symbolic calculations in combination with powerful graphics and programming capabilities makes it possible to develop software that provides students with the opportunity for step by step exploration of mathematical procedures. We present the results of an ongoing research project aimed at the development of a Mathematica based platform which allows academics to develop software for self-paced learning

Schlömilch series and grating sums

We consider sums over the set of positive integers relevant to construction of periodic Green's functions for diffraction gratings and similar problems, and provide a general formula for a combination of Bessel functions of complex order and complex powers of distance from the origin. This general formula is investigated in a number of particular cases, and in particular we provide expressions which enable sums of functions with Neumann series to be re-expressed as combinations of hypergeometric series. We also investigate sums of Neumann functions of integer order, using analytic continuation techniques to provide formulae for their evaluation which we demonstrate are accurate and efficient in both the high and low frequency regions. We also exhibit sums which may be evaluated analytically, and recurrence formulae linking sums. © 2005 IOP Publishing Ltd