Possible realization of optical Dirac points in woodpile photonic crystals
Journal
Optics express
Journal Volume
30
Journal Issue
10
Pages
17204
Date Issued
2022-05-09
Author(s)
Abstract
The simulation of fermionic relativistic physics, e.g., Dirac and Weyl physics, has led to the discovery of many unprecedented phenomena in photonics, of which the optical-frequency realization is, however, still challenging. Here, surprisingly, we discover that the woodpile photonic crystals commonly used for optical frequency applications host exotic fermion-like relativistic degeneracies: a Dirac nodal line and a fourfold quadratic point, as protected by the nonsymmorphic crystalline symmetry. Deforming the woodpile photonic crystal leads to the emergence of type-II Dirac points from the fourfold quadratic point. Such type-II Dirac points can be detected by its anomalous refraction property which is manifested as a giant birefringence in a slab setup. Our findings provide a promising route towards 3D optical Dirac physics in all-dielectric photonic crystals.
Subjects
WEYL POINTS; ACCIDENTAL DEGENERACY; SYMMETRY; Physics - Optics; Physics - Optics
Publisher
Optica Publishing Group
Type
journal article