Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Low-threshold bistable absorption in asymmetrical one-dimensional photonic crystals containing Weyl semimetal defects

  • Regular Article - Mesoscopic and Nanoscale Systems
  • Published:
The European Physical Journal B Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate the low-threshold optical bistable absorption in an asymmetrical one-dimensional photonic crystal structure (1D-PhC) containing a Weyl semimetal (WSM) defect layer. Dirven by the strong third-order nonlinear effect of the WSM and the field enhancement of the defect mode, low-threshold bistable absorption is achieved in the terahertz band. After optimizing the parameters, the rising threshold intensity is 83.7817 MW/m2 and the falling threshold intensity is 49.39 MW/m2, which are lower than the threshold intensities of bistable absorption in the reported works. Meanwhile, we discuss the effects of Fermi level of WSM, incident angle, and the numbers of periods of the left and right 1D-PhCs on the bistable absorption. Our work would facilitate the design of high-performance all-optical switches, all-optical logics, and optical absorbers.

Graphical Abstract

Low-threshold bistable absorption in asymmetrical one-dimensional photonic crystals containing Weyl semimetal defects with rising threshold intensity Iup = 83.7817 MW/m2 and falling threshold intensity Idown = 49.39 MW/m2

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

This manuscript has no associated data or the data will not be deposited. [Authors’ comment:The data that support the findings of this study are available upon request from the authors].

References

  1. A. Szöke, V. Daneu, J. Goldhar, Bistable optical element and its applications. Appl. Phys. Lett. 15, 376 (1969)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  2. H.M. Gibbs, S.L. McCall, T.N.C. Venkatesan, Differential gain and bistability using a sodium-filled Fabry-Perot interferometer. Phys. Rev. Lett. 36, 1135 (1976)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  3. G. Mitterer, D. Schucker, E. Klement, Electric equivalence of dispersive optical bistability. Appl. Phys. B 46, 121 (1988)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  4. J. Xu, Y. Peng, S. Wang, J. Jiang, S. Qian, L. Jiang, Optical bistability modulation based on the photonic crystal Fabry-Perot cavity with graphene. Opt. Lett. 47, 2125 (2022)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  5. V. Lousse, J.P. Vigneron, Bistable behaviour of a photonic crystal nonlinear cavity. Physica B 338, 171 (2003)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  6. R. Ozaki, Y. Matsuhisa, M. Ozaki, K. Yoshino, Electrically tunable lasing based on defect mode in one-dimensional photonic crystal with conducting polymer and liquid crystal defect layer. Appl. Phys. Lett. 84, 1844 (2004)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  7. L. Jiang, J. Tang, J. Xu, Z. Zheng, J. Dong, J. Guo, S. Qian, X. Dai, Y. Xiang, Graphene Tamm plasmon-induced low-threshold optical bistability at terahertz frequencies. Opt. Mater. Express 9, 139 (2019)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  8. Y. Wu, X. Zhao, J. Hu, H. Xu, Low threshold optical bistability based on coupled graphene Tamm states. Results Phys. 21, 102824 (2021)

    Google Scholar 

  9. W.L. Zhang S.F. Yu, Bistable switching using an optical Tamm cavity with a Kerr medium. Opt. Commun. 283, 2622 (2010)

  10. C. Xue, H. Jiang, H. Chen, Highly efficient all-optical diode action based on light-tunneling heterostructures. Opt. Express 18, 7479 (2010)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  11. M. Kaliteevski, I. Iorsh, S. Brand, R.A. Abram, J.M. Chamberlain, A.V. Kavokin, I.A. Shelykh, Tamm plasmon-polaritons: Possible electromagnetic states at the interface of a metal and a dielectric Bragg mirror. Phys. Rev. B 76, 165415 (2007)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  12. F. Wu, X. Wu, S. Xiao, G. Liu, H. Li, Broadband wide-angle multilayer absorber based on a broadband omnidirectional optical Tamm state. Opt. Express 29, 23976 (2021)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  13. C. Kar, S. Jena, D.V. Udpa, K.D. Rao, Tamm plasmon polariton in planar structures: a brief overview and applications. Opt. Laser Technol. 159, 108928 (2023)

    Google Scholar 

  14. M. Gryga, D. Ciprian, P. Hlubina, P. Polorny, J. Sobota, Narrow Tamm resonances in one-dimensional photonic crystals employed in sensor applications. Opt. Laser Technol. 167, 109797 (2023)

    Google Scholar 

  15. J. Xu, J. Tang, Y. Peng, Z. Zheng, X. Jin, S. Qian, J. Guo, L. Jiang, Y. Xiang, Tunable and light-controllable bistable reflected group delay based on nonlinear surface plasmon resonance with graphene. Results Phys. 15, 102579 (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Y.P. Cai, R.G. Wan, Bistable reflection and beam shifts with excitation of surface plasmons in a saturable absorbing medium. Opt. Express 30, 20725 (2022)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  17. A. Kar, N. Goswami, A. Saha, Long-range surface plasmon-induced tunable ultralow threshold optical bistability using graphene sheets at terahertz frequency. Appl. Opt. 56, 2321 (2017)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  18. Y. Peng, J. Xu, S. Wang, H. Dong, Y. Xiang, X. Dai, J. Guo, S. Qian, L. Jiang, Low-threshold and tunable optical bistability based on topological edge state in one-dimensional photonic crystal heterostructure with graphene. IEEE Access 8, 196386 (2020)

    Google Scholar 

  19. J. Guo, H. Wang, X. Dai, Y. Xiang, D. Tang, Enhanced nonlinear optical responses of graphene in multi-frequency topological edge modes. Opt. Express 27, 32746 (2019)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  20. Y. Peng, J. Xu, H. Dong, X. Dai J. Jiang, S. Qian, L. Jiang, Graphene-based low-threshold and tunable optical bistability in one-dimensional photonic crystal Fano resonance heterostructure at optical communication band. Opt. Express 28, 34948 (2020)

  21. K.J. Ahn, F. Rotermund, Terahertz optical bistability of graphene in thin layers of dielectrics. Opt. Express 25, 8484 (2017)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  22. X. Li, Y. Tan, L. Yin, Y. Huo, L. Zhao, Q. Yue, T. Ning, Bistability of optical harmonic generation in monolayer graphene plasmonics. Opt. Lett. 46, 1029 (2021)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  23. H. Zhang, X. Long, H. Yuan, X. Dai, Z. Li, L. Jiang, Y. Xiang, Dirac semimetals Tamm plasmons-induced low-threshold optical bistability at terahertz frequencies. Results Phys. 43, 106054 (2022)

    Google Scholar 

  24. X. Long, Y. Bao, H. Yuan, H. Zhang, X. Dai, Z. Li, L. Jiang, Y. Xiang, Low threshold optical bistability based on topological edge state in photonic crystal heterostructure with Dirac semimetal. Opt. Express 30, 20847 (2022)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  25. A.A. Burkov, L. Balents, Weyl semimetal in a topological insulator multilayer. Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 127205 (2011)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  26. V.S. Asadchy, C. Guo, B. Zhao, S. Fan, Sub-wavelength passive optical isolators using photonic structures based on Weyl semimetals. Adv. Opt. Mater. 8, 2000100 (2020)

    Google Scholar 

  27. T. Li, C. Yin, F. Wu, Strong optical non-reciprocity in one-dimensional photonic crystal containing a Weyl semimetal-based defect. Opt. Mater. 121, 111583 (2021)

    Google Scholar 

  28. R. Zhang, G. Liu, S. Hong, Y. He, C. Yin, K. Xu, Sharp angular and unidirectional filter based on accidental degeneracy between two twisted Weyl semimetal-based defect modes in a one-dimensional photonic crystal. Opt. Lett. 48, 3527 (2023)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  29. J. Wua, Y. Xiang, X. Dai, Tunable broadband compact optical isolator based on Weyl semimetal. Results Phys. 46, 106290 (2023)

    Google Scholar 

  30. M. Sun, L. Qian, J. Ye, G. Zheng, Actively tunable weak and strong couplings in epsilon-near-zero ultrathin film-based Weyl semimetallic photonic crystals. J. Opt. 25, 035101 (2023)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  31. L. Lu, Z. Wang, D. Ye, L. Ran, L. Fu, J.D. Joannopoulos, M. Soljačić, Experimental observation of Weyl points. Science 349, 622 (2015)

    ADS  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  32. H. Weng, C. Fang, Z. Fang, B.A. Bernevig, X. Dai, Weyl Semimetal phase in noncentrosymmetric transition-metal monophosphides. Phys. Rev. X 5, 011029 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  33. Y. Zhong, W. Feng, Zheng Liua, C. Zhangd, J.C. Cao, Nonlinear optical conductivity of Weyl semimetals in the terahertz regime. Physica B 555, 81 (2019)

  34. T. Zhang, K.J.A. Ooi, W. Chen, L.K. Ang, Y.S. Ang, Optical Kerr effect and third harmonic generation in topological Dirac/Weyl semimetal. Opt. Express 27, 38270 (2019)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  35. Y. Gao, F. Zhang, W. Zhang, Four-wave mixing of Weyl semimetals in a strong magnetic field. J. Phys. :Condens. Mater. 32, 275502 (2020)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  36. S. Almutairi, Q. Chen, M. Tokman, A. Belyanin, Four-wave mixing in Weyl semimetals. Phys. Rev. B 101, 235156 (2020)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  37. Y. Fink, J.N. Winn, S. Fan, C. Chen, J. Michel, J.D. Joannopoulos, E.L. Thomas, A dielectric omnidirectional reflector. Science 282, 1679 (1998)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  38. R.G. Bikbaev, S.Y. Vetrov, I.V. Timofeev, The optical Tamm states at the interface between a photonic crystal and nanoporous silver. J. Opt. 19, 015104 (2017)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  39. Y. Zhang, B. Wan, H. Zhang, H. Zhang, Multi-frequency coherent perfect absorption in the one-dimensional magnetized ferrite photonic structure. J. Opt. 24, 055104 (2022)

    ADS  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  40. F. Wu, M. Chen, S. Xiao, Wide-angle polarization selectivity based on anomalous defect mode in photonic crystal containing hyperbolic metamaterials. Opt. Lett. 47, 2153 (2022)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  41. F. Wu, T. Liu, S. Xiao, Polarization-sensitive photonic bandgaps in hybrid one-dimensional photonic crystals composed of all-dielectric elliptical metamaterials and isotropic dielectrics. Appl. Opt. 62, 706 (2023)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  42. A.H. Aly, H.A. Elsayed, Defect mode properties in a one-dimensional photonic crystal. Physica B 407, 120 (2012)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  43. S.R. Entezar, Bistable absorption in a 1D photonic crystal with a nanocomposite defect layer. Appl. Opt. 60, 8445 (2021)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  44. Y. Xu, B. Wan, Z. Zhou, H. Zhang, D. Zhang, Optically reconfigurable non-reciprocal bistable absorption based on one-dimensional photonic crystal of plasma and non-linear materials. Appl. Phys. B 127, 101 (2021)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  45. S. Rashidi, A. Rashidi, S.R. Entezar, Tunable NIR absorption in a Ge2Sb2Te5-based 1D asymmetric nonlinear hybrid nanostructure. Opt. Laser Technol. 157, 108664 (2023)

    Google Scholar 

  46. D.F. Edwards, E. Ochoa, Infrared refractive index of silicon. Appl. Opt. 19, 4130 (1980)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  47. A. Podzorov, G. Gallot, Low-loss polymers for terahertz applications. Appl. Opt. 47, 3254 (2008)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  48. F. Li, J. Xu, W. Li, J. Li, Y. Peng, M. He, Tunable Low-threshold optical bistability in optical Tamm plasmon superlattices. Coatings 13, 938 (2023)

    Google Scholar 

  49. J. Xu, Y. Peng, J. Jiang, S. Qian, L. Jiang, Nonlinear optical bistability based on epsilon-near-zero mode in near-infrared band. Opt. Lett. 48, 3235 (2023)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work is supported by the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (Grant No. 2023A1515011024), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 12104105 and 11104086), the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (Grant No. S2011040001908), and the Start-up Funding of Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University (Grant No. 2021SDKYA033).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Atonic and Subatomic Structure and Quantum Control (Ministry of Education), School of Physics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Quantum Engineering and Quantum Materials, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Quantum Matter, Frontier Research Institute for Physics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China

    Meifan He, Tianming Li, Kaiting Huo, Jiao Zhang & Chengping Yin

  2. School of Optoelectronic Engineering, Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University, Guangzhou, 510665, China

    Feng Wu

Authors
  1. Meifan He
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Tianming Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Kaiting Huo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jiao Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Feng Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Chengping Yin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

TL presents the initial idea and basic framework of this work. M. He completed the simulations and created all figures of the work under the supervision of TL, FW, and CY. Under the supervision of TL, FW, and CY, MH finished the initial manuscript. TL, KH, JZ, FW, and CY reviewed and polished the full text.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Feng Wu or Chengping Yin.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

He, M., Li, T., Huo, K. et al. Low-threshold bistable absorption in asymmetrical one-dimensional photonic crystals containing Weyl semimetal defects. Eur. Phys. J. B 96, 128 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/s10051-023-00598-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/s10051-023-00598-9

Search

Navigation