Wave and defect dynamics in nonlinear photonic quasicrystals

    Authors

    B. Freedman; G. Bartal; M. Segev; R. Lifshitz; D. N. Christodoulides;J. W. Fleischer

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Nature

    Keywords

    SOLITONS; LATTICES; DISLOCATIONS; PHASONS; ARRAYS; Multidisciplinary Sciences

    Abstract

    Quasicrystals are unique structures with long-range order but no periodicity. Their properties have intrigued scientists ever since their discovery(1) and initial theoretical analysis(2,3). The lack of periodicity excludes the possibility of describing quasicrystal structures with well-established analytical tools, including common notions like Brillouin zones and Bloch's theorem. New and unique features such as fractal-like band structures(4-7) and 'phason' degrees of freedom(8) are introduced. In general, it is very difficult to directly observe the evolution of electronic waves in solid-state atomic quasicrystals, or the dynamics of the structure itself. Here we use optical induction(9-11) to create two-dimensional photonic quasicrystals, whose macroscopic nature allows us to explore wave transport phenomena. We demonstrate that light launched at different quasicrystal sites travels through the lattice in a way equivalent to quantum tunnelling of electrons in a quasiperiodic potential. At high intensity, lattice solitons are formed. Finally, we directly observe dislocation dynamics when crystal sites are allowed to interact with each other. Our experimental results apply not only to photonics, but also to other quasiperiodic systems such as matter waves in quasiperiodic traps(12), generic pattern-forming systems as in parametrically excited surface waves(13), liquid quasicrystals(14), and the more familiar atomic quasicrystals.

    Journal Title

    Nature

    Volume

    440

    Issue/Number

    7088

    Publication Date

    1-1-2006

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    1166

    Last Page

    1169

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000237080000039

    ISSN

    0028-0836

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